Psalm Chapter 132 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
1 Lord, remember David, and all his afflictions:
2 How he sware unto the Lord, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob;
3 Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed;
4 I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids,
5 Until I find out a place for the Lord, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.
Psalms Chapter 132 (Old Testament)
6 Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood.
7 We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool.
8 Arise, O Lord, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.
9 Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.
10 For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed.
11 The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.
12 If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.
13 For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.
14 This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.
15 I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
17 There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.
18 His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.
Key Takeaways from This Psalm:
Psalm 132:13
Verse: בָּחַר יְהוָה לְצִיּוֹן
Transliteration: Bachar Adonai l’Tziyon
English: “For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place.”
Focus Word: בָּחַר (Bachar)
- Root: ב-ח-ר (Bet-Chet-Resh)
- Meaning: “To choose,” “to select,” “to prefer.”
- Deeper Insight: Bachar emphasizes God’s sovereign selection, reflecting His intentionality in establishing His dwelling and covenant.
| Hebrew Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| זָכַר — zakhar | Verse 1 — “Remember, O LORD, David…” | “To remember,” call to mind. | Zakhar (“to remember”) invokes covenantal memory. It appeals to God’s faithfulness to His servant. The term sets a tone of petition grounded in divine promises. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
| עָנָה — anah | Verse 1 — “…and all his afflictions.” | “Affliction,” suffering. | Anah (“affliction”) highlights David’s hardships endured for God’s house. It underscores sacrificial devotion. The term shapes the Psalm’s plea for divine regard. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary |
| נָדַר — nadar | Verse 2 — “How he swore to the LORD…” | “To vow,” to commit solemnly. | Nadar (“to vow”) expresses solemn dedication. It reflects David’s deep resolve to honor God. The verb emphasizes covenant zeal. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Commentary |
| מְעוֹן — me’on | Verse 5 — “…a dwelling place for the Mighty One…” | “Dwelling,” habitation. | Me’on (“dwelling”) portrays God’s chosen resting place among His people. It symbolizes divine nearness. The term strengthens the Psalm’s temple theme. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
| מְנוּחָה — menuchah | Verse 8 — “Arise, O LORD, to Your resting place…” | “Resting place,” repose. | Menuchah (“resting place”) indicates settled divine presence. It reflects completion, peace, and blessing. The word expresses the goal of divine habitation. — Franz Delitzsch, Commentary |
| כֹּהֵן — kohen | Verse 9 — “Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness…” | “Priest,” minister. | Kohen (“priest”) identifies those serving in sacred roles. It links divine righteousness with liturgical function. The term highlights the sanctity of worship. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Keil & Delitzsch Commentary |
| צֶדֶק — tsedeq | Verse 9 — “…clothed with righteousness…” | “Righteousness,” justice. | Tsedeq (“righteousness”) stresses moral purity required for priestly ministry. It reflects divine character mirrored in service. The word strengthens the Psalm’s focus on holiness. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
| שַׁעֲלִים — sha'alim | Verse 10 — “For Your servant David’s sake…” | “For the sake of,” on behalf of. | Sha'alim (“for the sake of”) expresses intercession based on covenant loyalty. It connects David’s faithfulness to divine favor. The term emphasizes God’s commitment to His promises. — Franz Delitzsch, Commentary |
| נִשְׁבַּע — nishba‘ | Verse 11 — “The LORD has sworn in truth to David…” | “To swear,” make oath. | Nishba‘ (“to swear”) denotes unbreakable divine commitment. It stresses certainty in God’s covenant promises. The verb guarantees messianic fulfillment. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Commentary |
| עֲטֶרֶת — ateret | Verse 18 — “…on him his crown will flourish.” | “Crown,” royal authority. | Ateret (“crown”) symbolizes regal blessing and divine endorsement. It represents enduring kingship. The term concludes the Psalm with messianic hope. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon |
Biblical Scholars On This Chapter:
| Scholar (Institution & Dates) | Work | View on Psalm 132 |
|---|---|---|
| Hugh Binning (University of Glasgow, 1627–1653) | Sermons on the Psalms | Binning presents the Psalm as affirming God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises. |
| William Lowth (University of Oxford, 1660–1732) | Commentary on the Psalms | Lowth emphasizes the divine choice of Zion as a symbol of God’s steadfastness and blessing. |
| Johann Albrecht Bengel (University of Tübingen, 1687–1752) | Gnomon Novi Testamenti | Bengel interprets the Psalm as an assurance of God’s guidance for those He has called. |
| Philip Doddridge (Northampton Academy, 1702–1751) | Family Expositor | Doddridge stresses that God’s covenant inspires both trust and active devotion. |
| James Durham (St Andrews / Edinburgh, 1622–1658) | Commentary on the Psalms | Durham portrays the Psalm as highlighting God’s commitment to His promises across generations. |
