Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.
Arise {H6965}, O LORD {H3068}, into thy rest {H4496}; thou, and the ark {H727} of thy strength {H5797}.
Go up, ADONAI, to your resting-place, you and the ark through which you give strength.
Arise, O LORD, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength.
Arise, O Jehovah, into thy resting-place; Thou, and the ark of thy strength.
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.
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2 Chronicles 6:41
Now therefore arise, O LORD God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness. -
2 Chronicles 6:42
O LORD God, turn not away the face of thine anointed: remember the mercies of David thy servant. -
Psalms 78:61
And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy's hand. -
Numbers 10:35
And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee. -
Numbers 10:36
And when it rested, he said, Return, O LORD, unto the many thousands of Israel. -
Psalms 68:1
¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm [or] Song of David. Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.
Psalms 132:8 is a profound prayer and declaration, found within one of the "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134), likely sung by pilgrims journeying to Jerusalem. It expresses a deep desire for God's settled presence among His people.
Context
Psalm 132 is a messianic psalm that intertwines themes of David's vow to find a resting place for the Lord and God's unwavering covenant with David. Verses 1-5 recount King David's earnest desire and promise to build a house for God, even before establishing his own palace (compare with 2 Samuel 7:2). The psalm then shifts to the joyous occasion of bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, its designated resting place, and the eventual construction of the Temple by Solomon. This verse (132:8) is a liturgical cry, possibly echoing a prayer made during the Ark's procession or the Temple's dedication, as seen in Solomon's dedication prayer in 2 Chronicles 6:41.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "Arise" is qūmāh (קוּמָה), an imperative often used in the context of God manifesting His power or presence, reminiscent of the ancient cry when the Ark set out on journeys (Numbers 10:35). Here, however, it's a call for God to "arise" and *settle* in His chosen place of rest (מְנוּחָה - mĕnūḥāh), signifying a permanent, secure, and peaceful habitation, not merely a temporary stop.
Practical Application
This verse reminds believers of the profound human desire for God's presence and His faithfulness to dwell among His people. While the physical Ark and Temple were central to Old Testament worship, the New Testament reveals that God's dwelling place is now in believers individually and collectively as the Church (1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 2:22). Our hearts and communities are called to be places where the Lord can "arise into His rest," signifying a life where His presence is welcomed, honored, and active. It encourages us to seek and cultivate an environment, both personally and communally, where God's "strength" and glory can be manifested.