God’s Promise • Psalm 132:1-14,17-18
By Philip Price
The Pilgrimage
Imagine this: The year is 700 B.C. You are a Jewish pilgrim preparing to travel from the city of Nazareth to observe a sacred festival in Jerusalem. The journey spans 90 miles and takes about a week. Thousands of relatives, priests, and merchants walk beside you. As the caravan sets out, the crowd breaks into song — one of the psalms written expressing the anticipation of worshiping in the Temple.
The journey winds from Galilee’s hills into the warmer Jordan Valley. After crossing the Jordan river near Jericho, you traverse a steep and winding road through rocky hills. Then, you see it. The golden roof of the Temple gleams in the distance. Now, there’s renewed hope. The singing of the masses crescendos as you draw ever nearer to the Temple — God’s dwelling place.
A Song of Ascent
Psalm 132 is one of the Songs of Ascent (Psalms 120–134), a collection sung by pilgrims during their journey to Jerusalem for worship festivals — Passover, Pentecost, or Tabernacles. In this lesson, we will learn how Psalm 132 expresses Israel’s passion for a dwelling place for God (vv.1-10), the promise of God to dwell with his people (vv.11-14), and the prophecy regarding the coming Messiah (vv.17-18).
The Passion for the Dwelling of God (Psalm 132:1–10)
The psalm opens with a heartfelt plea: “LORD, remember David and all the hardships he endured” (v.1, CSB). Despite being Israel’s most celebrated king, David’s life was filled with suffering — rejected by his family, hunted by enemies, betrayed by his own son, and distressed by his personal transgressions. Yet, as he repented of his sin, his heart was refined and cleansed.
David was determined to make a place of worship for the Lord. He vowed not to enter his palace (v.3) or sleep (v.4) until he found a home for “the Mighty One of Jacob” (v.5). He wasn’t content to settle into luxury while God’s presence dwelled in a tent.
The psalm then rejoices over the return of the Ark of the Covenant — the holy chest symbolizing God’s presence. Once stolen, the ark was found in the fields of Jaar (v.6), and David led a triumphant procession back to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15–16). When Solomon completed the Temple, the ark was placed in the Holy of Holies.
With deep reverence, the psalm calls God’s people to worship: “Let us go to His dwelling place; let us worship at His footstool” (v.7). The pilgrims longed for God’s presence, and they prayed for their leaders and for righteousness to clothe the priests (v.9). They also pleaded for God’s favor upon David’s descendants — looking forward to the promised Messiah (v.10).
The Promise of God’s Presence (Psalm 132:11–14)
God responded to the pleas of the people by making an oath (promise) that David’s offspring (v.11) would always be on the throne if the king’s sons kept God’s covenant and decrees (v.12). Then, God declares Zion (Jerusalem) was the place he desired to dwell (v.13). The temple would be his resting place forever (v.14). While the temple would eventually be destroyed, God’s presence remained with his people. He never stopped loving them (Jer. 31:3). However, his promise to dwell in the temple was contingent upon their faithfulness to Him. Eventually, the children of Israel began to worship other gods and rejected the warnings of the prophets that God would punish them for their transgressions. He only works in a humble heart. God does not tolerate fake allegiance or religious grandstanding. Yet, he is always nearby and willing to forgive our sins.
The Prophecy of God’s Messiah (Psalm 132:17-18)
In verses 17-18, we find Messianic Prophecy foreshadowing the coming of Jesus. The horn of David is a metaphor expressing power, strength, and royal authority. In ancient times a horn — like that of an ox, ram, or bull — symbolized might and kingship. God promised that David’s horn would grow through his bloodline culminating victoriously in the coming anointed one — Jesus Christ (Luke 1:69). The messiah would put his enemies to shame, and his crown would be glorious (v.18).
Summary
Psalm 132 was a source of encouragement to the Jewish pilgrims as they recalled David’s faithfulness to find a place to build a dwelling place for God. The Lord promised David and the Israelites that one of his descendants would rule Israel. God fulfilled His promise by sending Jesus Christ. God keeps his promises. In your life, can you think of promises God has kept?
Price is the Associational Missions Strategist for the Jackson County Baptist Association, Pascagoula. He is a member of Ridglea Heights Church, Moss Point.
