Psalms 132:4

KJV

I will not give sleep to mine eyes, [or] slumber to mine eyelids,

KJV (with Strong's)

I will not give {H5414} sleep {H8153} to mine eyes {H5869}, or slumber {H8572} to mine eyelids {H6079},

Complete Jewish Bible

I will not allow myself to sleep or even close my eyes,

Berean Standard Bible

I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids,

American Standard Version

I will not give sleep to mine eyes, Or slumber to mine eyelids;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 132:4 captures King David's profound and unwavering vow, expressing his intense dedication and relentless pursuit of a suitable dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant in Jerusalem. This declaration, "I will not give sleep to mine eyes, [or] slumber to my eyelids," signifies a profound personal commitment to God's honor and presence, prioritizing the establishment of divine dwelling above all personal comfort or rest.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 132 is a "Song of Ascents" (Hebrew: _Shir Hama'alot_), one of fifteen such psalms (Psalms 120-134) likely sung by pilgrims as they journeyed to Jerusalem for annual feasts. This psalm specifically recounts David's solemn oath (vv. 1-5) to find a resting place for the Ark of the Covenant and God's subsequent covenant promise to David concerning his dynasty and the perpetual presence of the Lord in Zion (vv. 11-18). Verse 4 stands as the climax of David's personal, fervent commitment, underscoring the depth of his zeal before God's reciprocal promises are revealed. It sets the stage for the establishment of Jerusalem as the religious and political center of Israel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Psalms 132:4 is King David's reign and his fervent desire to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and build a permanent temple for God. For centuries, the Ark, symbolizing God's presence and covenant with Israel, had no fixed dwelling, moving from place to place (e.g., Shiloh, Kirjath-Jearim). David's successful retrieval of the Ark to Jerusalem ([2 Samuel 6](/2_samuel/6 "2 Samuel 6 - David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem")) was a pivotal moment, unifying the nation under God's presence. Culturally, a king's vow was a serious matter, binding him to his word. David's vow here reflects a deep theological conviction that the nation's well-being was inextricably linked to God's honored presence among them, making the establishment of a central sanctuary a paramount concern.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 132:4 powerfully contributes to several key themes within the psalm and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **unwavering dedication and zeal for God's house**, demonstrating David's single-minded focus on a divine mission, prioritizing God's will over personal comfort or rest. This commitment reflects a heart that truly sought [first the kingdom of God and His righteousness](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom of God"). Secondly, it underscores the **prioritization of God's presence**; David understood that establishing a proper dwelling for the Ark, representing God's presence, was more important than his own well-being or the security of his palace. Finally, David's zeal for God's house in this psalm directly precedes and sets the stage for God's promise to David in [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant"), where God promises to build David a lasting "house" (dynasty) and establish his kingdom forever, a covenant ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sleep (Heb. שֵׁנָה, _shenah'_):** This noun refers to natural, deep sleep or a state of rest. Its use here emphasizes a complete cessation of conscious activity and physical repose. David's vow is to actively withhold this fundamental human need from himself.
* **Slumber (Heb. תְּנוּמָה, _tenumah'_):** This word denotes drowsiness, a light sleep, or a nodding off. Often used in poetic parallelism with _shenah_, as it is here, it intensifies the meaning, indicating that David would not even allow himself the slightest hint of rest or relaxation until his sacred task was accomplished.
* **Give (Heb. נָתַן, _natan'_):** The verb "to give" implies a deliberate act of granting or permitting. In this context, David asserts his active will to _not_ permit or allow sleep and slumber to come upon him. It highlights his agency and the conscious, determined nature of his vow.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I will not give sleep to mine eyes":** This clause declares David's resolute refusal to enter into a state of deep, restorative sleep. The "eyes" are presented as the gateway to sleep, and David's control over them signifies his absolute determination to remain vigilant and focused on his mission. It's a personal, active denial of a fundamental human need.
* **"[or] slumber to my eyelids":** This second clause functions as a synonymous parallel, reinforcing the first statement with intensified emphasis. "Slumber" refers to even the slightest hint of drowsiness or light sleep, and "eyelids" are the physical barriers that close to allow rest. By denying even this, David underscores the extreme and comprehensive nature of his vow – no rest, however slight, until the Ark has its proper dwelling.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey David's profound commitment. Most prominent is **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the second clause ("or slumber to my eyelids") reiterates and intensifies the meaning of the first ("I will not give sleep to mine eyes"). This poetic technique emphasizes the absolute and comprehensive nature of David's vow. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Hyperbole**, an intentional exaggeration for rhetorical effect. David's declaration is not meant to be taken as a literal promise of perpetual sleeplessness, but rather as a vivid expression of his extreme dedication and single-minded focus. The mention of "eyes" and "eyelids" also functions as a subtle form of **Merism**, where two parts (the opening and closing of the eyes for sleep) represent the whole concept of rest.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
David's oath in Psalms 132:4 transcends a mere personal promise; it embodies a profound theological conviction concerning the centrality of God's presence and honor. His zeal for a dwelling place for the Ark, symbolizing God's immanence, reflects a heart consumed with divine purpose, prioritizing the spiritual well-being of the nation above all else. This passionate pursuit of God's glory and presence serves as a model for believers, demonstrating that true devotion often demands a radical reordering of priorities and a willingness to sacrifice personal comfort for the advancement of God's kingdom. It is a testament to the fact that genuine faith is not passive but actively seeks to establish and honor God's rightful place in the world.

* [1 Kings 8:13](/1_kings/8-13 "1 Kings 8:13 - Solomon's Prayer for God's Dwelling")
* [Psalm 27:4](/psalms/27-4 "Psalm 27:4 - Desiring to Dwell in God's House")
* [Nehemiah 2:18-20](/nehemiah/2-18 "Nehemiah 2:18-20 - Rebuilding the Walls of Jerusalem")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's oath in Psalms 132:4 serves as a powerful challenge and inspiration for believers today. It calls us to examine the depth of our own dedication to God's purposes and presence. Just as David prioritized establishing a physical dwelling for the Ark, we are called to prioritize God's presence in our lives, in our families, and in the Church, which is the spiritual house of God. This verse encourages a tireless commitment to spiritual disciplines, seeking God's face, and diligently serving His kingdom. True devotion often involves a willingness to forgo personal comfort and convenience for a greater, divine purpose. It's not about literal sleep deprivation, but about spiritual vigilance, unwavering commitment, and a relentless pursuit of God's will above our own desires for ease or rest.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What pursuits in my life do I prioritize above personal comfort or rest, reflecting a similar zeal for God's purposes?**
* **How does David's zeal for God's dwelling inspire my commitment to cultivating God's presence in my own life and in the Church?**
* **In what areas of my spiritual walk am I called to demonstrate greater diligence, sacrifice, and unwavering focus on God's will?**

### FAQ
**Does Psalms 132:4 advocate for literal sleep deprivation for spiritual purposes?**

Answer: No, Psalms 132:4 does not advocate for literal sleep deprivation. The verse uses **hyperbole**, a literary device involving exaggeration for emphasis, to express the extreme dedication and single-minded focus of King David. It is a poetic declaration of his profound commitment to establishing a suitable dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing God's presence. The intent is to convey a spiritual priority and an unwavering resolve, not a literal command to forgo necessary physical rest. Biblical wisdom often encourages rest and balance, as seen in [Psalm 127:2](/psalms/127-2 "Psalm 127:2 - God Gives Sleep to His Beloved") which states that "he gives his beloved sleep," and the divine institution of the Sabbath for rest in [Exodus 20:8-11](/exodus/20-8 "Exodus 20:8-8 - The Command to Keep the Sabbath"). David's vow illustrates a heart so consumed with God's honor that personal comfort was secondary to this sacred, national mission.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's fervent desire for a dwelling place for God, expressed in Psalms 132:4, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While David sought to establish a physical structure for the Ark, Christ Himself is the true tabernacle, the very [dwelling place of God among humanity](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"). The zeal David displayed for God's house is powerfully mirrored in Jesus' own actions, as seen when He cleansed the temple, fulfilling the prophecy, "Zeal for your house has consumed me" ([John 2:17](/john/2-17 "John 2:17 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple")). Furthermore, the Davidic Covenant, which promised a lasting "house" and kingdom that would ultimately be established forever, is perfectly realized in Christ, the Son of David, whose kingdom is eternal and whose throne is forever established ([Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Luke 1:32-33 - The Son of David's Eternal Kingdom")). Through Christ, God's presence is not confined to a building or an ark, but dwells fully in Him ([Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - Fullness of Deity in Christ")), and by extension, within His Church, which is built as a spiritual house where God's Spirit dwells among believers ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones, a Spiritual House"); [Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Fellow Citizens with the Saints")). Thus, David's ancient vow serves as a profound foreshadowing of God's ultimate desire to dwell with His people through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 6:4

Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.

Ruth 3:18

Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.

Genesis 24:33

And there was set [meat] before him to eat: but he said, I will not eat, until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak on.