Great David’s Greater Son
Opening Prayer
Imagine that you are in the Temple, surrounded by the cloud of God’s presence. What would you say to God?
Read Psalm 132
1 Lord, remember David
and all his self-denial.
2 He swore an oath to the Lord,
he made a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:
3 “I will not enter my house
or go to my bed,
4 I will allow no sleep to my eyes
or slumber to my eyelids,
5 till I find a place for the Lord,
a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”
6 We heard it in Ephrathah,
we came upon it in the fields of Jaar:
7 “Let us go to his dwelling place,
let us worship at his footstool, saying,
8 ‘Arise, Lord, and come to your resting place,
you and the ark of your might.
9 May your priests be clothed with your righteousness;
may your faithful people sing for joy.’”
10 For the sake of your servant David,
do not reject your anointed one.
11 The Lord swore an oath to David,
a sure oath he will not revoke:
“One of your own descendants
I will place on your throne.
12 If your sons keep my covenant
and the statutes I teach them,
then their sons will sit
on your throne for ever and ever.”
13 For the Lord has chosen Zion,
he has desired it for his dwelling, saying,
14 “This is my resting place for ever and ever;
here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it.
15 I will bless her with abundant provisions;
her poor I will satisfy with food.
16 I will clothe her priests with salvation,
and her faithful people will ever sing for joy.
17 “Here I will make a horn grow for David
and set up a lamp for my anointed one.
18 I will clothe his enemies with shame,
but his head will be adorned with a radiant crown.”
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Pause to reflect on God’s purpose in establishing a Temple and on the wonder of meeting with God.It can be difficult to enter the world of the Old Testament and, although the Psalms seem to speak so directly to us at a personal level, we must bear in mind the differences between an Israelite on pilgrimage and our own lives, even if we have done something slightly similar.
As you read through the psalm, note those places where the psalmist makes mentions of King David and the promises that God made to him. Why do you think God was so kind to David? What sort of promises do you think he was making? Are there any similar blessings which you would wish to pray for in your own life as a Christian? Are there any elements in the worship of the psalm that you would wish to reformulate in the light of Christian faith?
The covenants and promises to David are, of course, fulfilled for the Christian in Christ, “great David’s greater Son.” He is now the focus of worship, the church is his dwelling place (Eph. 2:22), and we, like the priests of this psalm, are clothed with salvation that we might sing for joy (9,16).
Apply
Is there any way you could replicate something of the excitement of the Israelite pilgrim? A retreat? Your own pilgrimage?
Closing prayer
God of Wonder, You amaze me. I sing with joy before You today as I bask in the light of Your presence.
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