A prayer for God’s blessing on David s royal son, and God's reassuring answer.
Scripture References:
st. 1 = vv. 1-5
st. 2 = vv. 6-9
st. 3 = vv. 10-12
st. 4 = vv. 13-16
st. 5 = vv.17-18
One of fifteen "Songs of Ascents" (120-134) sung by the Israelites as they went up to worship at the temple in Jerusalem, Psalm 132 was distinctly messianic for Israel as they waited for God's promised restoration of the throne of David. Central to the psalm is the prayer for God's blessing on David's royal Son (vv. 1, 10; st. 1,3). This prayer comes out of David's deep commitment to provide a permanent "resting place" for the LORD's throne (the ark of the covenant) in the midst of the people in order to make the LORD central in Israel's life (vv. 2-9; st. 1-2). The LORD's answer–I will ever uphold and prosper my anointed (vv. 17-18; st. 5)–is rooted in God's covenant oath to David (vv. 11-12; st. 3) and in God's own choice of Zion as his desired "resting place" (st. 4). Calvin Seerveld (PHH 22) paraphrased this psalm in 1983 for the Psalter Hymnal.
Liturgical Use:
Because of its messianic import, Psalm 132 is appropriate in conjunction with preaching on salvation history and during Advent.
--Psalter Hymnal Handbook