Psalms 132 · The Lantern

A song of ascents. Remember, LORD, for David all his affliction,

The LORD Has Chosen Zion

how he swore to the LORD, vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob:

There is a sleep which the disciples are commanded to sleep with rest, according to Christ's command, differing greatly from a sleeping against his will; so that the order might be preserved: that first indeed we should watch, praying that we may not enter into temptation, and afterward that we should sleep and rest according to Christ's command.

As he swore to the Lord, he vowed a vow to the God of Jacob. In the Hebrew it does not have cos, that is, "as," nor is that the sense; but it has os, that is, "who," and the sense is: Remember, O Lord, David and all his meekness, who swore to the Lord, vowed a vow to the God of Jacob.

For what purpose? "How he sware unto the Lord, and vowed a vow unto the Almighty God of Jacob" (ver. 2). Therefore remember for this, that he may fulfil what he hath promised. David himself vowed as though he had it in his power, and he prayeth God to fulfil his vow: there is devotion in the vow, but there is humility in the prayer.

“I will not enter the tent of my house; I will not go up on the couch of my bed;

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

until I find a place for the LORD, dwellings for the Mighty One of Jacob.”

See, we heard of it in Ephrathah; we found it in the fields of Jaar.

Let us come to his dwellings; let us bow down at the footstool of his feet.

Rise, LORD, to your resting place, you and the ark of your strength.

Let your priests be clothed with righteousness, and let your loyal ones sing aloud.

For the sake of David your servant, do not turn away the face of your anointed.

The LORD swore to David in truth, from which he will not turn back: “Of the fruit of your body I will set on your throne.

If your sons keep my covenant and my testimony that I teach them, their sons also, forever, will sit on your throne.”

For the LORD has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his dwelling:

“This is my resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it.

I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her needy with bread.

And I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her loyal ones will surely sing aloud.

There I will make a horn sprout for David; I have prepared a lamp for my anointed.

His enemies I will clothe with shame, but on him his crown will shine.”

Psalms132

The LORD Has Chosen Zion