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Commentary on Psalms 132 verses 11–18
These are precious promises, confirmed by an oath, that the heirs of them might have strong consolation, Heb 6:17, Heb 6:18. It is all one whether we take them as pleas urged in the prayer or as answers returned to the prayer; believers know how to make use of the promises both ways, with them to speak to God and in them to hear what God the Lord will speak to us. These promises relate to the establishment both in church and state, both to the throne of the house of David and to the testimony of Israel fixed on Mount Zion. The promises concerning Zion's hill are as applicable to the gospel-church as these concerning David's seed are to Christ, and therefore both pleadable by us and very comfortable to us. Here is,
I. The choice God made of David's house and Zion hill. Both were of divine appointment.
1.God chose David's family for the royal family and confirmed his choice by an oath, Psa 132:11, Psa 132:12. David, being a type of Christ, was made king with an oath: The Lord hath sworn and will not repent, will not turn from it. Did David swear to the Lord (Psa 132:2) that he would find him a house? The Lord swore to David that he would build him a house; for God will be behind with none of his people in affections or assurances. The promise made to David refers, (1.) To a long succession of kings that should descend from his loins: Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne, which was fulfilled in Solomon; David himself lived to see it with great satisfaction, Kg1 1:48. The crown was also entailed conditionally upon his heirs for ever: If thy children, in following ages, will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them. God himself engaged to teach them, and he did his part; they had Moses and the prophets, and all he expects is that they should keep what he taught them, and keep to it, and then their children shall sit upon thy throne for evermore. Kings are before God upon their good behaviour, and their commission from him runs quamdiu se bene gesserint - during good behaviour. The issue of this was that they did not keep God's covenant, and so the entail was at length cut off, and the sceptre departed from Judah by degrees. (2.) To an everlasting successor, a king that should descend from his loins of the increase of whose government and peace there shall be no end. St. Peter applies this to Christ, nay, he tells us that David himself so understood it. Act 2:30, He knew 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; and in the fulness of time he did so, and gave him the throne of his father David, Luk 1:32. He did fulfill the condition of the promise; he kept God's covenant and his testimony, did his Father's will, and in all things pleased him; and therefore to him, and his spiritual seed, the promise shall be made good. He, and the children God has given him, all believers, shall sit upon the throne for evermore, Rev 3:21.
2.God chose Zion hill for the holy hill, and confirmed his choice by the delight he took in it, Psa 132:13, Psa 132:14. He chose the Mount Zion which he loved (Psa 78:68); he chose it for the habitation of his ark, and said of it, This is my rest for ever, and not merely my residence for a time, as Shiloh was. Zion was the city of David; he chose it for the royal city because God chose it for the holy city. God said, Here will I dwell, and therefore David said, Here will I dwell, for here he adhered to his principle, It is good for me to be near to God. Zion must be here looked upon as a type of the gospel-church, which is called Mount Zion (Heb 12:22), and in it what is here said of Zion has its full accomplishment. Zion was long since ploughed as a field, but the church of Christ is the house of the living God (Ti1 3:15), and it is his rest for ever, and shall be blessed with his presence always, even to the end of the world. The delight God takes in his church, and the continuance of his presence with his church, are the comfort and joy of all its members.
II. The choice blessings God has in store for David's house and Zion hill. Whom God chooses he will bless.
1.God, having chosen Zion hill, promises to bless that,
(1.)With the blessings of the life that now is; for godliness has the promise of them, Psa 132:15. The earth shall yield her increase; where religion is set up there shall be provision, and in blessing God will bless it (Psa 67:6); he will surely and abundantly bless it. And a little provision, with an abundant blessing upon it, will be more serviceable, as well as more comfortable, than a great deal without that blessing. God's people have a special blessing upon common enjoyments, and that blessing puts a peculiar sweetness into them. Nay, the promise goes further: I will satisfy her poor with bread. Zion has her own poor to keep; and it is promised that God will take care even of them. [1.] By his providence they shall be kept from wanting; they shall have provision enough. If there be scarcity, the poor are the first that feel it, so that it is a sure sign of plenty if they have sufficient. Zion's poor shall not want, for God has obliged all the sons of Zion to be charitable to the poor, according to their ability, and the church must take care that they be not neglected, Act 6:1. [2.] By his grace they shall be kept from complaining; though they have but dry bread, yet they shall be satisfied. Zion's poor have, of all others, reason to be content with a little of this world, because they have better things prepared for them. And this may be understood spiritually of the provision that is made for the soul in the word and ordinances; God will abundantly bless that for the nourishment of the new man, and satisfy the poor in spirit with the bread of life. What God sanctifies to us we shall and may be satisfied with.
(2.)With the blessings of the life that is to come, things pertaining to godliness (Psa 132:16), which is an answer to the prayer, Psa 132:9. [1.] It was desired that the priests might be clothed with righteousness; it is here promised that God will clothe them with salvation, not only save them, but make them and their administrations instrumental for the salvation of his people; they shall both save themselves and those that hear them, and add those to the church that shall be saved. Note, Whom God clothes with righteousness he will clothe with salvation; we must pray for righteousness and then with it God will give salvation. [2.] It was desired that the saints might shout for joy; it is promised that they shall shout aloud for joy. God gives more than we ask, and when he gives salvation he will give an abundant joy.
2.God, having chosen David's family, here promises to bless that also with suitable blessings. (1.) Growing power: There, in Zion, will I make the horn of David to bud, Psa 132:17. The royal dignity shall increase more and more, and constant additions he made to the lustre of it. Christ is the horn of salvation (denoting a plentiful and powerful salvation) which God has raised up, and made to bud, in the house of his servant David. David had promised to use his power for God's glory, to cut off the horns of the wicked, and to exalt the horns of the righteous (Psa 75:10); in recompence for it God here promises to make his horn to bud, for to those that have power, and use it well, more shall be given. (2.) Lasting honour: I have ordained a lamp for my anointed. Thou wilt light my candle, Psa 18:28. That lamp is likely to burn brightly which God ordains. A lamp is a successor, for, when a lamp is almost out, another may be lighted by it; it is a succession, for by this means David shall not want a man to stand before God. Christ is the lamp and the light of the world. (3.) Complete victory: "His enemies, who have formed designs against him, will I clothe with shame, when they shall see their designs baffled." Let the enemies of all good governors expect to be clothed with shame, and especially the enemies of the Lord Jesus and his government, who shall rise, in the great day, to everlasting shame and contempt. (4.) Universal prosperity: Upon himself shall his crown flourish, that is, his government shall be more and more his honour. This was to have its full accomplishment in Jesus Christ, whose crown of honour and power shall never fade, nor the flowers of it wither. The crowns of earthly princes endure not to all generations (Pro 27:24), but Christ's crown shall endure to all eternity and the crowns reserved for his faithful subjects are such as fade not away.
"For the Lord has chosen Sion to be an habitation for Himself" [Psalm 132:13]. Sion is the Church Herself; She is also that Jerusalem unto whose peace we are running, who is in pilgrimage not in the Angels, but in us, who in her better part waits for the part that will return; whence letters have come unto us, which are every day read. This city is that very Sion, whom the Lord has chosen.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 132:13 articulates the profound truth of God's sovereign and affectionate choice of Zion, the city of Jerusalem, as His preferred and permanent dwelling place. This verse encapsulates the Lord's divine initiative in establishing a central locus for His presence among His people, underscoring His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises and His deep longing for intimate fellowship with humanity. It serves as a foundational statement for comprehending God's unique relationship with Israel and the enduring theological significance of Jerusalem within the broader narrative of redemption.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 132:13 employs several potent Literary Devices to convey its profound theological message. The most prominent is Anthropomorphism, where human attributes and emotions are ascribed to God. The phrase "he hath desired [it]" portrays God as having desires, longings, and affections, much like a human, emphasizing His personal investment and intimate relationship with Zion. This makes God's relationship with His chosen city relatable and deeply personal. Symbolism is also central, as "Zion" functions not merely as a geographical location but as a powerful symbol of God's enduring presence, His covenant faithfulness, and the spiritual heart of His people. It embodies the promises made to David and the hope of God's enduring kingdom. Furthermore, the verse utilizes Divine Election, a theological concept presented as a literary motif, highlighting God's sovereign freedom and initiative in choosing a specific place and people for His purposes, setting them apart from all others. The concise, declarative nature of the verse also lends it a sense of Authoritative Pronouncement, reinforcing the certainty and finality of God's decision regarding Zion.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 132:13 profoundly connects to the overarching biblical narrative of God's persistent desire to dwell with His people. From the intimate communion in the Garden of Eden, where God walked with Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:8), to the structured presence in the Tabernacle and Temple, God consistently sought to establish a tangible presence among humanity. Zion, as God's chosen and desired habitation, became the physical embodiment of this divine longing and the focal point of His covenant promises, particularly the Davidic Covenant. It represented the sacred space where heaven and earth met, where God's rule was uniquely manifest through His anointed king, and where His people could draw near to Him in worship and fellowship. This verse sets the stage for understanding the ultimate fulfillment of God's dwelling desire, moving beyond a physical location to a spiritual reality in the New Covenant.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound truth that "the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation" carries immense implications for believers today. While God's physical dwelling was once localized in Zion, the New Testament reveals a radical expansion and spiritualization of this truth. God's ultimate desire is not for a physical building or a particular mountain, but for a people. Through the atoning work of Jesus Christ, God's presence now indwells believers individually by the Holy Spirit and collectively as the church. This verse reminds us that God is not a distant, disengaged deity but one who actively seeks intimate fellowship and passionately desires to dwell within and among His people. Our lives, therefore, are called to be living temples, sacred spaces where God's presence is welcomed, honored, and manifested. This should inspire us to cultivate personal holiness, pursue genuine community, and live in a way that reflects the indwelling Spirit, understanding that we are the very habitation God desires. It also points to the glorious future hope of God's full and unhindered presence in the new heaven and new earth, where the tabernacle of God will be with humanity, and He will dwell with them forever in perfect communion.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of God choosing Zion, and why was it "desired" by Him?
Answer: God's choice of Zion (Jerusalem) was supremely significant because it designated this specific location as the earthly center of His covenant presence and rule. It was not merely a strategic decision but an act of divine election, setting Zion apart as the place where His name would dwell and His promises, particularly to David, would be fulfilled. The word "desired" (from H183, ʼâvâh) conveys God's deep affection, pleasure, and longing for Zion as His permanent dwelling. This indicates that His choice was not a passive acceptance but an active, loving preference, reflecting His yearning for intimate fellowship with His people. Zion thus became the preeminent symbol of God's faithfulness and His unwavering commitment to be present among Israel.
How does God's "habitation" in Zion relate to His omnipresence?
Answer: God's "habitation" in Zion does not negate His omnipresence. God is, by nature, everywhere present and cannot be confined to any physical space or structure (1 Kings 8:27). Rather, His habitation in Zion refers to a unique, localized manifestation of His presence, a special condescension to dwell among His people in a tangible and accessible way. It was the designated place where His glory would be uniquely revealed, where His covenant promises would be enacted, and where His people could approach Him through prescribed worship and sacrifice. It served as a focal point for His redemptive relationship with Israel, a specific locus for His revelatory and redemptive activity, while simultaneously acknowledging His boundless, omnipresent nature.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 132:13, with its declaration of God's sovereign choice and passionate desire for Zion as His habitation, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. While Zion was the earthly dwelling place of God's presence and the site of His Temple, it was always a foreshadowing of a greater, spiritual reality. Christ himself is the true "temple" of God, the ultimate dwelling place where the fullness of God's glory resides in bodily form (John 2:19-21 and Colossians 2:9). Just as God sovereignly chose Zion, He sovereignly chose to "tabernacle" among humanity in the person of Jesus (John 1:14), thereby perfectly fulfilling His ancient desire to dwell intimately with His people. Through Christ's atoning work and resurrection, God's presence is no longer confined to a physical mountain or a man-made temple but now indwells believers by the Holy Spirit, making the church the spiritual temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16 and Ephesians 2:21-22). The longing God expressed for Zion is now fully satisfied in His dwelling within the hearts of His redeemed people, culminating in the new heavens and new earth where the "tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them," with the Lamb as its temple for all eternity.