Psalms 132:6

Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood.

Lo, we heard {H8085} of it at Ephratah {H672}: we found {H4672} it in the fields {H7704} of the wood {H3293}.

We heard about it in Efrat, we found it in the Fields of Ya'ar.

We heard that the ark was in Ephrathah; we found it in the fields of Jaar.

Lo, we heard of it in Ephrathah: We found it in the field of the wood.

Context of Psalms 132:6

Psalm 132 is a "Psalm of Ascents," likely sung by pilgrims journeying to Jerusalem for festivals. This particular psalm focuses on two central themes: David's solemn vow to find a permanent resting place for the Ark of the Covenant, and God's enduring promise to David regarding his lineage and the eternal kingship. Verse 6 marks a significant moment in the psalm, shifting from David's personal commitment (seen in Psalm 132:1-5) to the recollection of the Ark's history and its eventual discovery for relocation.

The "it" in this verse refers directly to the Ark of the Covenant, the most sacred object in ancient Israel, symbolizing God's presence among His people. After its capture by the Philistines and subsequent return, the Ark spent many years in various locations, notably at Kirjath-jearim, before King David finally brought it to Jerusalem.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Quest for God's Presence: The verse highlights the earnest desire to locate and honor the Ark, which represented God's tangible presence. This reflects a deep longing for divine fellowship and a proper place for worship.
  • Historical Remembrance: It serves as a historical callback, recalling the Ark's journey and the efforts to bring it to a central dwelling place. This act of remembering reinforces the continuity of God's work through Israel's history.
  • David's Devotion: Though spoken in the plural ("we"), this verse embodies David's personal zeal and commitment to establish a dwelling for the Lord, fulfilling his vow from earlier in the psalm.

Linguistic and Historical Insights

The phrase "at Ephratah" (Hebrew: Ephratah) is commonly associated with Bethlehem, the hometown of David. This connection is significant because David's family originated there, and it was the place where he was anointed king (see 1 Samuel 16:1-13). The mention of Ephratah could symbolize the beginning of the quest for the Ark's permanent home, perhaps signifying the start of David's reign and his commitment.

The "fields of the wood" (Hebrew: s'dei ya'ar) is widely understood to refer to Kirjath-jearim, also known as Baale-Judah. This was the place where the Ark resided for approximately 20 years in the house of Abinadab after its return from the Philistines, before David eventually moved it to Jerusalem (as recounted in 2 Samuel 6:1-2 and 1 Chronicles 13:5-6). The "fields of the wood" might simply be a descriptive term for the area around Kirjath-jearim, emphasizing its rural, perhaps somewhat obscure, location where the Ark had been 'lost' to public prominence for a time.

Practical Application and Reflection

For believers today, this verse speaks to the enduring human desire to draw near to God's presence. Just as ancient Israel sought a physical dwelling place for the Ark, we are called to seek God's presence in our lives and communities. The New Testament reveals that God no longer dwells in temples made with hands, but through the Holy Spirit, He dwells within believers individually (1 Corinthians 6:19) and collectively as the church (Ephesians 2:22).

The psalmist's recollection of finding the Ark reminds us that a genuine relationship with God often involves a diligent search and a dedicated heart. Our "Ephratah" might be where our spiritual journey begins, and our "fields of the wood" represent the places where we discover God's truth or encounter His presence in unexpected ways, leading us to a deeper commitment to Him.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Samuel 7:1

    ¶ And the men of Kirjathjearim came, and fetched up the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD.

  • 1 Samuel 17:12

    ¶ Now David [was] the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name [was] Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men [for] an old man in the days of Saul.

  • Micah 5:2

    But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, [though] thou be little among the thousands of Judah, [yet] out of thee shall he come forth unto me [that is] to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth [have been] from of old, from everlasting.

  • Genesis 35:19

    And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which [is] Bethlehem.

  • 1 Chronicles 13:5

    So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjathjearim.

  • 1 Chronicles 13:6

    And David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, [that is], to Kirjathjearim, which [belonged] to Judah, to bring up thence the ark of God the LORD, that dwelleth [between] the cherubims, whose name is called [on it].

  • Ruth 1:2

    And the name of the man [was] Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.

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