Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from Ps 132:1-2 and following. Indeed, this beautiful hymn evokes the day when King David raised the ark in Jerusalem (2 Sam 6:12-19). Later, at the dedication of the Temple, Solomon ended his prayer with verses 8 to 10 (2 Ch 6:41-42). Prophetically, this psalm corresponds to the introduction of the millennial Kingdom. God will enter into his rest; the whole world will be blessed and rejoice; Christ, the true Son of David, will receive the universal crown (verses 17,18). ForGod’s unconditional promises will be fulfilled in Him, through Him, and for Him.
But, let’s note, they are the consequence of “all His afflictions” (verse 1; 1 Ch 22:11-16; David is a type of Christ, Rejected King, while Solomon represents the Messiah in his glory). It is because Christ has suffered that he will be exalted in this way, and it is because He has experienced here on earth the painful work of his soul that the earth will enjoy God’s rest. Let’s bring all the verses closer together, let’s see that this faithful, who has had at heart the glory of God, obtains point by point answers exceeding all his expectations: He is dealing with the One who can do infinitely more than anything we ask or think (Eph 3:20-21).
This psalm presents Solomon begging Jehovah to rise up and take possession of the house he had built, recalling David’s zeal and affliction, the covenant and promises of Jehovah himself (verses 1-13). Jehovah seems to respond immediately to this prayer with promises even more extensive than those He had first made, and blessings beyond the desire of His servant (verses 14-18). This is indeed his way of acting – worthy of God. He goes beyond the promises of his own mouth, as well as the expectation of the hearts of his people. And the promise that was conditional is now yes and amen in Christ Jesus (versets 17-18). Solomon seems to have a very right thought here. For, while desiring God’s blessing upon himself – the “anointed” king – he desires it in relation to the presence of God, the entrance of the ark into his rest. This is a thought according to God. We can seek happiness, if we seek it in the Lord and with Him.
For the ark had been kept away in the days of Saul (1 Ch 13:3). David’s first desire was to bring her back; and this psalm shows us that this desire consumed him. We are not surprised, after what we learn from David in the First Book of Chronicles. And this affection of David is here recalled by Solomon. Similarly, Jesus could say, “The zeal of your house devours me.” Giving God a dwelling place among men and bringing man back to God was the spring of his activity, the secret of his many sufferings. For jesus’ afflictions and his cross opened a way for glory to return, for the long-forgotten presence of God to fill the earth again when the time comes; likewise the same blood has already torn the veil, and is preparing for us dwellings in the paternal house.
The “lamp” which, according to the promise made here, will soon shine in the kingdom of the Son of David, had been seen from afar by Abraham (Gen 15:17); he had thus “seen” the day of Christ, and had “rejoiced” (John 8:56). This is the desire of Christ and His people throughout the night of this century (Isaiah 62:1). The Lord himself, in response to this desire, will make her shine in her own time (Ps 18:29). Then it will shine without eclipse and with all its brilliance during the kingdom (Isaiah 60:1). Similarly, the “horn” will then “germinate”, according to the promise made here. The oak of Judah, the trunk of Isai has long been a parched stump. But the trunk remains, although it has been slaughtered (Isaiah 6:13); and brought back from before the presence of God in the last days, like aaron’s rod, he will live again, and bud, and bear fruit. “David’s graces” are “assured” in the risen Jesus (Acts 13:34). We find all this in this magnificent psalm of Solomon.
Such a character made it fit to be the hymn of the captives, who then approached this house that Solomon had built for the Lord. And the people will also be able to sing it and from the lips and from the heart in the days of Israel’s rebirth, when their expectation will be assured of a prompt answer. For thethree forms of government had been manifested in Israel: First, direct responsibility to God, under the priesthood. This one had failed with Héli and I-Cabod had been pronounced. It was Israel in the realm of responsibility. Then God had intervened through a prophet: he could still do it; it was an act of its sovereignty. But the prophet also lacks, and likewise, the kingship established by the people. We then see, in the third place, kingship established as a power in grace, as it will be in Christ, and the ark is brought back. This is what we have in this Psalm.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
Zion, dwelling of the Lord and city of David:
· Afflictions, come from God
Dt 8:5 Recognize in your heart that Jehovah your God chastises you as a man chastises his child. Rt 1:20 She said to them: Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has filled me with bitterness. Ps 66:11 You have brought us into the net, You have placed a heavy burden on our loins, Ps 102:11-12 Because of your anger and fury; For you lifted me up and threw me away. 12 My days are like the shadow to its decline, and I dry up like grass.
· Divine memory, prayer for
Neh 13:14 Remember me, O my God, because of this, and do not forget my acts of piety toward the house of my God and the things that are to be observed! Ps 25:7 Do not remember the faults of my youth or my transgressions; Remember me according to your mercy, Because of your goodness, O Lord! Ps 106:4 Lord, remember me in your benevolence for your people! Remember me by giving him your help, Jer 15:15 You know everything, O Lord, remember me, do not forget me, Avenge me from my persecutors! Don’t take me away, while you’re slow to anger! Know that I can stand the stigma because of you. Luke 23:42 And he said to Jesus, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom.
· Self-denial, the duty of
Mt 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples: If anyone wants to come after me, let him renounce himself, take up his cross, and follow me. Luke 14:26-27 If anyone comes to me, and if he does not hate his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters, and even to his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry his cross, and does not follow me, cannot be my disciple. Rom 8:13 If you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you make the actions of the body die, you will live, Rom 15:1 We who are strong, we must endure the weaknesses of those who are not, and not wallow in ourselves. Gal 5:24 Those who are Jesus Christ’s crucified the flesh with his passions and desires.
· Robe of justice, the garment of the saints
Jb 29:14 I clothed myself in righteousness and served him as his garment, I had my righteousness as a coat and for turban. Ps 132:16 I will clothe his priests with salvation, and his faithful will cry out with joy. Isa 52.1 Wake up! wake up! put on your adornment, Zion! Put on your festive clothes, Jerusalem, holy city! For he will no longer enter your home neither uncircumcised nor impure. Isaiah 61:10 I will rejoice in jehovah, My soul will be delighted with joy in my God; For he clothed me with the garments of salvation, He covered me with the mantle of deliverance, As the bridegroom adorns himself with a diadem, As the bride adorns herself with her jewels. Zec 3:4 The angel, speaking, said to those who were in front of him: Take away the dirty clothes! Then he said to Joshua, “See, I take away your iniquity, and I put on festive clothes from you. Mt 22:11 The king entered to see those at the table, and there he saw a man who had not put on a wedding dress. Luke 15:22 But the father said to his servants, “Bring the most beautiful robe, and put it on; put a ring on his finger, and shoes on his feet.
From all the above, we note that Ps. 132 is, in some respects, a very interesting Psalm: It presents to us the restoration of the ark of the covenant in the place of his rest, and the promises of Jehovah in response to the supplication of his servant. Its starting point is the establishment of the ark in Zion by David. This fact is of the utmost importance: In him came the grace acting in power, when Israel had lacked so completely that the bond between the people and God was completely broken, as based on the principle of the responsibility of the people, and the ark had been carried out in captivity and “I-Cabod” (glory is banished in Israel) had been written about this situation. But now had been found, in a more complete and lasting sense, dwellings for the Mighty of Jacob, dwellings where the faithful would prostrate themselves before his footstool, for the seed of David, the Messiah of the Lord, was to sit on his throne forever and in perpetuity. Jehovah was now entering into his rest, he and the ark of his strength. Previously (Numbers 10:35-36), if he stood up, it was to disperse his enemies, and then he returned to the ten thousand thousand of Israel. Now the enemies were scattered, and Jehovah was rising to find his rest in Israel. Notice in verse 13 God’s sovereign election. Notice also that the promise that responds to the supplication, goes each time beyond the request: this emerges from the comparison of verses 8 to 18. It is of the highest interest as a manifestation of the Lord’s grace, showing all the interest he has in his people and how his love exceeds all their expectations. Our prayers are with you all.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and for centuries of ages. Amen!
I would be happy to react to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow ” the rejected Messiah becomes the master of the universe.”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.