Promises, Promises
Opening Prayer
Lord, You honor the one who honors You. Help me ever live for You alone.
Read PSALM 132:1-18
[1]A song of ascents. 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.” Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What stands out to you about this psalm?This psalm celebrates a double commitment, a double promise.On the one hand David as king had promised to build the Lord a dwelling place, a Temple (1-5). Although, as we have seen, the Lord decided it would be Solomon who took on that task, David did nonetheless bring the Ark into Jerusalem amidst great rejoicing (see 1 Chronicles 15,16). And verses 6 to 9 of the psalm celebrate the fact that there is now a place, in the Temple, where the Lord can be truly encountered and worshiped. On the other hand the Lord makes a promise to David the king. He promises him that David’s dynasty will endure (11,12). And he promises that he will indeed dwell among his people, in his Temple (13-18). Each promise mirrors the other with the recurring themes of king and Temple. Jesus is the fulfillment of both. He is our enduring King who reigns forever. He remains eternally available to us, for he will never leave us or forsake us.
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