◄ Psalm 132:2 ►
how he swore an oath to the LORD, and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob:
Study Bible
He swore
The phrase "He swore" refers to a solemn promise or oath made by David. In the Hebrew context, the word used here is "נִשְׁבַּע" (nishba), which conveys a deep commitment and a binding agreement. Oaths in the biblical era were not taken lightly; they were sacred and often invoked the name of God as a witness. This highlights the seriousness and the spiritual weight of David's promise, reflecting his deep devotion and commitment to the Lord.

an oath to the LORD
The "oath to the LORD" signifies a vow made directly to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This is significant because it underscores the personal relationship between David and God. In the ancient Near Eastern context, making an oath to a deity was a profound act of worship and dedication. It also reflects the covenantal nature of Israel's relationship with God, where oaths and promises were integral to maintaining faithfulness and obedience.

and vowed
The word "vowed" is closely related to "swore," but it emphasizes the voluntary nature of the commitment. The Hebrew word "נָדַר" (nadar) suggests a promise made out of devotion rather than obligation. This highlights David's willing heart and his desire to honor God through his actions. Vows in the biblical context were often accompanied by specific actions or sacrifices, indicating a tangible expression of faith.

to the Mighty One of Jacob
The title "the Mighty One of Jacob" is a powerful designation for God, emphasizing His strength and faithfulness. It connects the promise to the patriarch Jacob, reminding the reader of God's enduring covenant with the forefathers of Israel. This title evokes the history of God's dealings with His people, highlighting His power and reliability. It serves as a reminder of God's unchanging nature and His ability to fulfill His promises throughout generations.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The central figure in this Psalm, David is the one who swore an oath to the LORD. He is known for his deep devotion to God and his desire to build a temple for the Ark of the Covenant.

2. The LORD
The covenant-keeping God of Israel to whom David swore an oath. He is the central focus of worship and devotion in the Psalm.

3. The Mighty One of Jacob
A title for God that emphasizes His strength and His covenant relationship with the patriarchs, particularly Jacob, whose name was later changed to Israel.

4. The Ark of the Covenant
Although not mentioned directly in this verse, the context of Psalm 132 involves David's desire to bring the Ark to Jerusalem and establish a permanent dwelling place for it.

5. Jerusalem
The city where David intended to bring the Ark and where he desired to build a temple for the LORD.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Vows
Vows made to God are serious commitments and should be made with reverence and sincerity. David's example shows the importance of following through on our promises to God.

God's Faithfulness
The title "Mighty One of Jacob" reminds us of God's enduring faithfulness to His people. Just as He was faithful to Jacob and David, He remains faithful to us today.

Desire for God's Presence
David's vow reflects a deep desire for God's presence among His people. We should cultivate a similar longing for God's presence in our lives and communities.

Legacy of Faith
David's commitment to building a temple for the LORD set a foundation for future generations. Our faithfulness can leave a lasting impact on those who come after us.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does David's oath to the LORD reveal about his priorities and values? How can we align our priorities with God's will in our own lives?

2. How does the title "Mighty One of Jacob" enhance our understanding of God's character and His relationship with His people?

3. In what ways can we demonstrate a desire for God's presence in our daily lives, similar to David's desire to build a temple for the LORD?

4. Reflect on a time when you made a commitment to God. How did you follow through on that commitment, and what challenges did you face?

5. How can the legacy of faith, as demonstrated by David, inspire us to impact future generations for Christ? What practical steps can we take to build such a legacy?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Samuel 7
This chapter details God's covenant with David, where God promises to establish David's throne forever. It provides the background for David's oath and desire to build a temple.

1 Chronicles 22
This passage describes David's preparations for the temple, highlighting his commitment to fulfilling his vow to the LORD.

Genesis 28:13
The reference to the "Mighty One of Jacob" connects back to God's promises to Jacob, reinforcing the theme of God's faithfulness to His covenant people.

Hebrews 6:13-18
This New Testament passage discusses the nature of oaths and God's unchanging promise, providing a broader theological context for understanding the significance of oaths in Scripture.
Sermons
The Mighty One of JacobR. Tuck Psalm 132:2
The Power of a Holy SoulS. Conway Psalm 132:1-5
A Prayer for the House of DavidT. W. Chambers, D. D.Psalm 132:1-18
Spiritual WorshipC. Short Psalm 132:1-18
The House of GodJ. Stalker, D. D.Psalm 132:1-18
The Song of the BuildersA. Maclaren, D. D.Psalm 132:1-18
People
David, Ephratah, Ephrath, Jacob, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Jacob, Mighty, Oath, Saying, Sware, Swore, Sworn, Vow, Vowed
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 132:2

     1205   God, titles of

Psalm 132:1-5

     5430   oaths, human

Psalm 132:2-5

     5741   vows

Library
An Examination of Post-Millennialism.
Post-millennialists teach that the only Kingdom over which Christ will ever reign is a spiritual and celestial one. They say that those Jews who expected their Messiah to set up a visible and material Kingdom on the earth were mistaken, that they erred in the interpretation of their prophetic Scriptures and cherished a carnal and unworthy hope. Let us examine this assertion in the light of God's Word. In Psalm 132:11 we read "The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; He will not turn from it: Of the …
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return

Vive Jesus. Preface.
THE Holy Ghost teaches that the lips of the heavenly Spouse, that is The Church, resemble scarlet and the dropping honeycomb, [15] to let every one know that all the doctrine which she announces consists in sacred love; of a more resplendent red than scarlet on account of the blood of the spouse whose love inflames her, sweeter than honey on account of the sweetness of the beloved who crowns her with delights. So this heavenly spouse when he thought good to begin the promulgation of his law, cast …
St. Francis de Sales—Treatise on the Love of God

Promises and Threatenings
'And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished the building of the house of the Lord, and the king's house, and all Solomon's desire which he was pleased to do. 2. That the Lord appeared to Solomon the second time, as He had appeared unto him at Gibeon. 3. And the Lord said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before Me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put My name there for ever; and Mine eyes and Mine heart shall be there perpetually, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Fulfilled Prophecies of the Bible Bespeak the Omniscience of Its Author
In Isaiah 41:21-23 we have what is probably the most remarkable challenge to be found in the Bible. "Produce your cause, saith the Lord; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob. Let them bring them forth, and show us what shall happen; let them show the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come. Show the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods." This Scripture has both a negative …
Arthur W. Pink—The Divine Inspiration of the Bible

Emmaus. Kiriath-Jearim.
"From Beth-horon to Emmaus it was hilly."--It was sixty furlongs distant from Jerusalem.--"To eight hundred only, dismissed the army, (Vespasian) gave a place, called Ammaus, for them to inhabit: it is sixty furlongs distant from Jerusalem." I inquire, whether this word hath the same etymology with Emmaus near Tiberias, which, from the 'warm baths,' was called Chammath. The Jews certainly do write this otherwise... "The family (say they) of Beth-Pegarim, and Beth Zipperia was out of Emmaus."--The …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Manner of Covenanting.
Previous to an examination of the manner of engaging in the exercise of Covenanting, the consideration of God's procedure towards his people while performing the service seems to claim regard. Of the manner in which the great Supreme as God acts, as well as of Himself, our knowledge is limited. Yet though even of the effects on creatures of His doings we know little, we have reason to rejoice that, in His word He has informed us, and in His providence illustrated by that word, he has given us to …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

The Promise in 2 Samuel, Chap. vii.
The Messianic prophecy, as we have seen, began at a time long anterior to that of David. Even in Genesis, we perceived [Pg 131] it, increasing more and more in distinctness. There is at first only the general promise that the seed of the woman should obtain the victory over the kingdom of the evil one;--then, that the salvation should come through the descendants of Shem;--then, from among them Abraham is marked out,--of his sons, Isaac,--from among his sons, Jacob,--and from among the twelve sons …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Nature of Covenanting.
A covenant is a mutual voluntary compact between two parties on given terms or conditions. It may be made between superiors and inferiors, or between equals. The sentiment that a covenant can be made only between parties respectively independent of one another is inconsistent with the testimony of Scripture. Parties to covenants in a great variety of relative circumstances, are there introduced. There, covenant relations among men are represented as obtaining not merely between nation and nation, …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Covenanting Confers Obligation.
As it has been shown that all duty, and that alone, ought to be vowed to God in covenant, it is manifest that what is lawfully engaged to in swearing by the name of God is enjoined in the moral law, and, because of the authority of that law, ought to be performed as a duty. But it is now to be proved that what is promised to God by vow or oath, ought to be performed also because of the act of Covenanting. The performance of that exercise is commanded, and the same law which enjoins that the duties …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Introduction. Chapter i. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers.
St. Hilary of Poitiers is one of the greatest, yet least studied, of the Fathers of the Western Church. He has suffered thus, partly from a certain obscurity in his style of writing, partly from the difficulty of the thoughts which he attempted to convey. But there are other reasons for the comparative neglect into which he has fallen. He learnt his theology, as we shall see, from Eastern authorities, and was not content to carry on and develop the traditional teaching of the West; and the disciple …
St. Hilary of Poitiers—The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers

Annunciation of the Birth of Jesus.
(at Nazareth, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke I. 26-38. ^c 26 Now in the sixth month [this is the passage from which we learn that John was six months older than Jesus] the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth [Luke alone tells us where Mary lived before the birth of Jesus. That Nazareth was an unimportant town is shown by the fact that it is mentioned nowhere in the Old Testament, nor in the Talmud, nor in Josephus, who mentions two hundred four towns and cities of Galilee. The …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Departure from Ireland. Death and Burial at Clairvaux.
[Sidenote: 1148, May (?)] 67. (30). Being asked once, in what place, if a choice were given him, he would prefer to spend his last day--for on this subject the brothers used to ask one another what place each would select for himself--he hesitated, and made no reply. But when they insisted, he said, "If I take my departure hence[821] I shall do so nowhere more gladly than whence I may rise together with our Apostle"[822]--he referred to St. Patrick; "but if it behoves me to make a pilgrimage, and …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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