Psalms 132:1 - Meaning and Application

In these verses, Solomon asks God for favor toward him and toward his rule, and he asks God to accept the house he had built for his name. He does not lean on his own worth. Instead, he asks God to remember David, with whom God made the covenant, and to remember David’s hardships, his care for the ark, and the deep desire he had to build a house for God.

It is good for us to remind God, in prayer, of those who came before us in the faith, their troubles, their service, and their suffering. We may also think of Christ, the Son of David, and all his sufferings. Then we can ask God to remember the covenant made with him and the satisfaction he made for sinners. In this way, Solomon’s plea points beyond David to Christ.

David had made a solemn vow as soon as he was settled in power, and before he was even settled in his own house, that he would build a house for God. He made that vow to the Lord, the mighty God of Jacob. Vows are made to God, who is both a witness and a party to them. Jacob was weak, but the God of Jacob is mighty and able to defend and save.

David’s vow was to find a place for the Lord, that is, for the ark, the sign of God’s presence. He knew from the law that there was to be a place the Lord would choose for his name, a place where all the tribes would gather. When David became king, no such place had been fixed. Shiloh had been left behind, and the people had no settled center for their worship.

David was also deeply focused on this matter. He would not rest in his bed until he had brought it to some decision. The matter had been talked about for a long time, but nothing had been done. At last David vowed that before night he would settle it, either by deciding where the tent would be placed for the ark at the start of his reign, or, more likely, where Solomon would later build the temple.

This may have been especially tied to the judgment David received after he numbered the people. He may have felt that one reason for God’s controversy with him was his delay in this matter. When work for God is important, it is wise to set ourselves a time and hold to it, because we are quick to delay. It is good to plan the day’s work in the morning and bind ourselves to finish it before sleep, while still submitting to Providence, God’s wise care, because we do not know what the day will bring.

This is especially true in the great work of turning to God. We should be earnest and careful about it. We have good reason to resolve that we will not enjoy the comforts of this life until we have laid a foundation for the hope of a better one.

David’s vow also matched the desire of Israel, who longed for the ark. They had lamented its hidden condition. They heard of it at Ephratah, that is, at Shiloh in the tribe of Ephraim, where it had once been. Then they found it in the fields of the wood, that is, in Kirjath-jearim, which means “city of woods.” From there, all Israel had brought it up with great ceremony at the beginning of David’s reign.

So when Solomon built the house for the ark, he was satisfying the desire of all Israel. They no longer needed to search for the ark. They now knew where to find it. They were also resolved to worship there. If they had a fitting place, they would go into God’s tabernacle and worship at his footstool, as subjects and humble petitioners. In Saul’s days they had missed this because there was no such proper place.

Then Solomon prays for several things. He asks that God would not only take possession of the temple, but make it his settled home. “Arise, O Lord,” he says, “into your rest,” and let the ark of your strength, the sign of your powerful presence, remain there.

He also asks that God would give the priests, the ministers of the sanctuary, grace to do their duty. “Let your priests be clothed with righteousness,” he says. They should show righteousness in both their service and their daily lives, and both should follow God’s rule. Righteousness is the best ornament for a minister. Holiness toward God and goodness toward people are necessary for ministers, without question.

Solomon then asks that God’s people may have joy in the faithful service of holy things. “Let your saints shout for joy.” They had done so when the ark was brought into David’s city, and they would do so when the priests were clothed with righteousness. A faithful ministry is a joy to God’s people. It helps their joy and serves it well.

Finally, Solomon asks that his own prayer at the dedication of the temple would be accepted. “Do not turn away the face of your anointed,” he says, meaning, do not reject me or send me away ashamed. He pleads that he is the Lord’s anointed, which points forward to Christ, the great Anointed One, who uses his calling to intercede. The Father always hears him.

Solomon also pleads that he is David’s son. For David’s sake, he asks God not to deny him. This is also the Christian’s plea: for Christ’s sake, our David, in whom God is well pleased, accept me. Christ is the beloved one, and we are accepted in the beloved. He is God’s servant, whom God upholds.

We have no merit of our own to bring before God, but for Christ’s sake, in whom there is full merit, let us seek his favor. When we pray for the church’s growth and blessing, we may pray with great confidence for Christ’s sake, since he purchased the church with his own blood. Let both ministers and people do their duty.