Psalm 132
The Ark foreshadowed the Church. As such it was the
object of pious care. This ode proceeds to enumerate God's promises.
1. "Lord, remember David, and all his afflictions."
It is a gracious privilege to be permitted to be God's
remembrancers. Faith is encouraged to remind Him of His covenant and of His
precious promises. There is, indeed, no forgetfulness with Him. The past, as
also the future, is a present page before His eye. But by this exercise we
impress on our own minds invaluable lessons. Thus God is implored to bear in
mind the story of the suffering David. In him we have a type of the blessed
Jesus. Thus the deep import of this prayer awakens God's attention to the
expiatory sufferings of the Lamb of God.
David was especially a man of sorrows. All believers
drink the same cup. The afflictions of Christ's followers are salutary
discipline. They wean from the world and quicken the growth of grace. We
shall pray God to accomplish His purposes. The furnace of affliction should
never be heated in vain.
2-5. "How he swore to the Lord, and vowed to the
mighty God of Jacob; Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house,
nor go up into my bed; I will not give sleep to my eyes, or slumber to my
eyelids, until I find a place for the Lord, a habitation for the mighty God
of Jacob."
The especial object of this prayer is that David's zeal
for the Ark should not be forgotten. Deep and fervent was this zeal. It was
the constant inhabitant of his heart. He longed to conduct the Ark to its
resting place in Zion. He cast away all thought of rest and quiet, until
success should crown his efforts. We should learn therefore that zeal for
the prosperity of God's Church should be foremost among our desires. For
this we should incessantly toil. For this we should regard all sacrifices as
light. Can we truly say, each one, The zeal of Your house has eaten me up?
6. "Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah; we found it in the
fields of the wood."
The Church is often in depressed condition. The Ark was
carried into the Philistines' country, and after its return, it remained
obscure and unnoticed. At Bethlehem David could only gather some reports
concerning it. At last he found it in the fields of Kirjath-jearim. The
Church can never be hidden for long. The sun reappears after a short
eclipse.
7-9. "We will go into His tabernacles; we will worship
at His footstool. Arise, O Lord, into Your rest; You, and the ark of Your
strength. Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness; and let Your
saints shout for joy."
It is the joy of joys to join the company of true
worshipers. Prayer should be earnest that God would manifest Himself in His
sanctuary and cause His presence to diffuse hallowed delight. Especially
should we pray that His ministers be conspicuous for holiness and
pre-eminent as men of God. Then exuberant gladness will fill God's courts
with praise.
10. "For Your servant David's sake turn not away the
face of Your anointed."
The idea is not a vain fancy that Solomon, now
established as Israel's anointed king, thus prayed. He beseeches God not to
forget the promises to David. In faith of their performance the youthful
king is encouraged to persevere in prayer. Let us therefore gather cheering
support. Believers may thus personally supplicate. By the Spirit's unction
they are priests unto God. They may implore, for the sake of the true David,
that they may be welcomed at the mercy-seat. May we persist in prayer,
looking upwards in the name of Jesus!
11-14. "The Lord has sworn in truth to David; He will
not turn from it; of the fruit of your body will I set upon Your throne. If
your children will keep My covenant and My testimony that I shall teach
them, their children shall also sit upon Your throne forevermore. For the
Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitation. This is my rest
forever; here will I dwell; for I have desired it."
Remembrance is called to a notable prediction. The throne
of David descends in unbroken line to his offspring. The suppliant pleads
for its fulfillment with undoubting faith. It is precious thus to grasp the
promises of God. God chose Zion as a type of His Church. He gives assurance
that He will maintain forever the seed of grace. We may rejoice that this
God is our God forever and ever. He will uphold His people to the end. He
will rest in His love. He will make the Church the abode of His continual
presence.
15-16. "I will abundantly bless her provision; I will
satisfy her poor with bread. I will also clothe her priests with salvation;
and her saints shall shout aloud for joy."
Glorious promises enrich the treasures of the Church. No
good thing shall be withheld. All mercies shall abound. Her faithful
ministers shall shine brightly in the robes of salvation. Her true servants
shall testify their joy with exuberant thanksgiving. Can we give sufficient
thanks if we have been called to fellowship with this blessed company?
17-18. "There will I make the horn of David to bud; I
have ordained a lamp for My Anointed. His enemies will I clothe with shame;
but upon Himself shall His crown flourish."
The power of the Lord shall be displayed in the perpetual
preservation of the Church. It shall be armed with might as the strongest
animals are endued with power. Heavenly rays shall be its unfading lamp.
While shame will bring contempt upon their enemies, the crown of glory shall
rest on the true sons of David. May we study these abundant promises! May we
embrace them with thanksgiving! May we live undoubtingly relying on their
fulfillment! May we lift up the head as faithful citizens of Zion!