¶ 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.
The LORD {H3068} hath sworn {H7650} in truth {H571} unto David {H1732}; he will not turn {H7725} from it; Of the fruit {H6529} of thy body {H990} will I set {H7896} upon thy throne {H3678}.
ADONAI swore an oath to David, an oath he will not break: "One of the sons from your own body I will set on your throne.
The LORD swore an oath to David, a promise He will not revoke: “One of your descendants I will place on your throne.
Jehovah hath sworn unto David in truth; He will not turn from it: Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.
-
2 Samuel 7:12
And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. -
Psalms 110:4
The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou [art] a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. -
Psalms 89:3
I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, -
Psalms 89:4
Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah. -
2 Chronicles 6:16
Now therefore, O LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit upon the throne of Israel; yet so that thy children take heed to their way to walk in my law, as thou hast walked before me. -
Acts 2:30
Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; -
Luke 1:69
And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
Psalms 132:11 is a foundational verse that highlights God's unwavering faithfulness and His covenant promise to King David. It is a key messianic prophecy, pointing to the eternal reign of a descendant from David's lineage.
Context
This verse is part of Psalm 132, one of the "Songs of Ascent" (Psalms 120-134), traditionally sung by pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem for festivals. The psalm itself is a prayer and meditation on the establishment of God's dwelling place (the ark) in Jerusalem and the subsequent divine promise made to David. It recalls David's earnest desire to find a resting place for the Ark of the Covenant, as described in 2 Samuel 6. In response to David's devotion, God makes a solemn oath, forming the core of what is known as the Davidic Covenant, promising an enduring dynasty.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew phrase "sworn in truth" (נִשְׁבַּע בֶּאֱמֶת - nishba' be'emet) emphasizes the steadfastness and reliability of God's oath. Emeth means truth, faithfulness, or firmness, signifying that God's promise is not subject to change or retraction. The "fruit of thy body" (מִפְּרִי בִטְנְךָ - mippĕri biṭnekha) is a direct reference to David's biological offspring, ensuring the lineage is traced through his actual descendants.
Practical Application
Psalms 132:11 offers immense comfort and assurance to believers today. It reminds us that:
- God is a Promise-Keeper: We can place our full trust in God's word, knowing that He is faithful and will never go back on His promises, even when circumstances seem to contradict them.
- Hope in the Reign of Christ: This verse anchors our hope in Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah and eternal King. His reign brings justice, peace, and salvation. Understanding this prophecy deepens our appreciation for God's redemptive plan throughout history.
- Divine Purpose in Lineage: It highlights how God works through human lineage and history to accomplish His divine purposes, ultimately culminating in the person of Jesus.
This enduring promise to David finds its glorious culmination in the person and work of Christ, who reigns forever.