Psalm 132 - Desiring a Great Temple and King

In Psalm 132, the author begins by describing the search that David had led for a suitable place to locate a dwelling place for God (vv. 1-9). David’s seriousness in this task is revealed in the fact that he vowed to make this search the priority of his life, more important that building a palace for himself. The people celebrated when the ark of the covenant was brought to Jerusalem and worship was taking place there. The location for building the temple was found, although David was not given the actual task of building it.

The reference to David’s role is part of a communal prayer written long after he lived, and we should note that there is a stress on the Lord as the Mighty One of Jacob. Those offering the prayer as they attended the annual feasts in Jerusalem after the exile knew that it would take divine power to restore the glory of the temple even as it took divine power to commence its existence.

The author of the psalm knows that more is needed than the existence of the temple building. Divine blessing was also connected to the presence of a faithful Davidic king (vv. 10-12). Those who would have attended the feasts in Israel after the return from the exile would have seen a much smaller temple and a weakened royal line. Still they knew that the Mighty One of Jacob could change the situation through his power.

It was important for them to consider the desire that the Lord had to dwell on Mount Zion among his people (vv. 13-16). They rehearsed what he thought of it. Not only had he chosen it, he had dwelt there, not only in the sense of his omnipresence, but particularly as a place of satisfaction. Even as God rested on the seventh day of creation with delight, so he rested in the sanctuary among his redeemed people. His pleasure was revealed by him meeting their needs. The white clothing of her priests would picture the salvation he had provided – his righteousness, and great joy would mark her worship.

Yet it would have caused those attending the temple to wonder how things could get better. The answer to that dilemma is found in verse 17 and 18. One would yet come from the line of David who would defeat all his enemies and wear a permanent crown of glory. Here we have a picture of Jesus, and we are told that when his time for reigning comes, it will be a very prosperous period for Zion. We are living in the period when his crown shines with permanent lustre in heaven, which means that the future is bright for the people of God.