Demonstrating His Love For God

Psalm 132:1-18

Ps 132:1 A Song of degrees

“LORD, remember David, and all his afflictions: How he sware unto the LORD, and vowed unto 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 mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids, Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.” (Psalm 132:1-5)

When Israel had conquered the Land of Canaan in Joshua’s day, they had erected the Tabernacle at Shiloh, where the people worshipped until the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant in I Samuel 4.  After its recovery, the Ark was never returned to the Tabernacle, remaining in Kirjathjearim  for over a hundred years.  During all that time the worship of the Lord had been hampered by the separation of the Ark from the Tabernacle so that some of the sacrifices could not be performed.  David had determined to reunite the Ark and the Tabernacle so that they could worship in complete accordance with God’s commands. 

“Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood.  We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool.” (Psalm 132:6-7)

Finally David settled on making his capital the old Jebusite city called Jebus, in the area of Judah designated for the descendants of Ephratah, , the founder of Bethlehem.  He renamed the city Jerusalem, and relocated the Tabernacle to Jerusalem.  Once everything was ready, he had the Ark brought from Kirjathjearim and placed in the Tabernacle, in II Samuel 6.  From that point on they were able to worship as God had specified in Exodus and Leviticus. 

“Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.  Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.  For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed.” (Psalm 132:8-10)

The lid of the Ark, known as the Mercy seat, was the place where God had promised speak from when he spoke to Israel, and he had promised to make the Tabernacle his house.  David viewed  putting the Ark and the Tabernacle  almost like moving a loved parent into a new house.  When all their stuff is put in place it will give them the sense of being home.  David wanted God to feel at home in Jerusalem.   

“The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.  If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.” (Psalm 132:11-12)

Because of David’s desire to please God, God had promised to establish his family to rule over Israel forever, He promised that David’s children could have the same promise if they would follow God’s commands.  Unfortunately, Solomon’s family did not follow completely, and Christ came out of a different branch of David’s family. 

“For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.  This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.  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.” (Psalm 132:13-16)

God had chosen Mt. Zion, the hill in Jerusalem where the Tabernacle was set as his earthly home throughout the ages to come.  As a result, he would bless the city abundantly, so that even the poor had enough to eat.  The priests and believers would shout for joy knowing they had  salvation because they believed God.   

“There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.  His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.” (Psalm 132:17-18)

It would be in Jerusalem that David’s family would be blessed, with the Messiah coming from his family and ministering in Jerusalem.  Jerusalem will be the capital of Christ’s kingdom when he sets it up here on earth.