Psalm 132:4 Study Bible: I will not give sleep to my eyes, or slumber to my eyelids;

◄ Psalm 132:4 ►

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

I will not give sleep to my eyes
This phrase reflects a deep commitment and urgency in the speaker's heart. The Hebrew word for "sleep" here is "שֵׁנָה" (shenah), which signifies a state of rest or slumber. In the context of ancient Israel, sleep was not only a physical necessity but also a metaphor for spiritual complacency. The psalmist's declaration indicates a refusal to succumb to spiritual lethargy or distraction until a significant task is accomplished. Historically, this reflects King David's fervent desire to find a dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing God's presence among His people. The phrase challenges believers to prioritize spiritual pursuits over personal comfort, echoing the New Testament call to "seek first the kingdom of God" (Matthew 6:33).

or slumber to my eyelids
The word "slumber" in Hebrew is "תְּנוּמָה" (tenumah), which implies a lighter form of sleep, akin to drowsiness or dozing. This reinforces the intensity of the psalmist's vow, emphasizing that even the slightest hint of rest is to be avoided until his mission is fulfilled. The eyelids, often seen as the gateway to rest, symbolize the threshold between action and inaction. In a broader scriptural context, this phrase can be seen as a call to vigilance and perseverance in one's spiritual journey. The historical backdrop of David's relentless pursuit to honor God with a permanent dwelling place serves as an inspiration for believers to remain steadfast and alert in their faith, resisting the temptation to become spiritually indifferent or distracted.

Persons / Places / Events

1. David
The psalm is traditionally attributed to King David, who is expressing his deep commitment to finding a dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing God's presence among His people.

2. Zion
The psalm is part of the Songs of Ascents, often associated with pilgrimages to Jerusalem, where Zion, the city of David, is located. Zion represents the spiritual center of Israel and the dwelling place of God.

3. The Ark of the Covenant
This sacred chest symbolizes God's covenant with Israel and His presence. David's desire to find a resting place for the Ark reflects his dedication to honoring God.

4. Solomon
David's son, who eventually builds the temple in Jerusalem, fulfilling David's desire to establish a permanent dwelling for the Ark.

5. Pilgrims
The Songs of Ascents were sung by pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem for the feasts, reflecting their spiritual journey and dedication to God.

Teaching Points

Commitment to God's Presence
David's refusal to rest until he finds a place for the Ark challenges us to prioritize God's presence in our lives. Are we willing to sacrifice comfort for spiritual pursuits?

Spiritual Restlessness
The verse highlights a holy restlessness that should characterize our spiritual journey. We should not be complacent but continually seek deeper communion with God.

Fulfillment in Christ
While David sought a physical dwelling for the Ark, we find ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who dwells within us. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, calling us to live in holiness.

Perseverance in Prayer
David's determination can inspire us to persevere in prayer and spiritual disciplines, seeking God's guidance and presence in every aspect of our lives.

Community Worship
The communal aspect of the Songs of Ascents reminds us of the importance of gathering with other believers to worship and seek God together.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does David's commitment in Psalm 132:4 challenge your current priorities in seeking God's presence?

2. In what ways can you cultivate a "holy restlessness" in your spiritual life, similar to David's desire for the Ark's resting place?

3. How does the fulfillment of David's desire in Solomon's temple relate to the New Testament understanding of believers as temples of the Holy Spirit?

4. What practical steps can you take to ensure that your spiritual journey is characterized by perseverance and dedication, as seen in David's example?

5. How can the communal aspect of the Songs of Ascents inspire you to engage more deeply with your local church community in worship and service?

Connections to Other Scriptures

2 Samuel 7
This chapter details God's covenant with David, promising that his offspring will build a house for God's name, directly connecting to David's desire expressed in Psalm 132.

1 Kings 8
Solomon's dedication of the temple in Jerusalem fulfills the longing expressed in Psalm 132, as the Ark finds its resting place.

Hebrews 4:9-11
The concept of rest in God, as David seeks for the Ark, is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to enter God's rest through faith.

Sermons

The Power of a Holy Soul	S. Conway	Psalm 132:1-5
A Prayer for the House of David	T. W. Chambers, D. D.	Psalm 132:1-18
Spiritual Worship	C. Short	Psalm 132:1-18
The House of God	J. Stalker, D. D.	Psalm 132:1-18
The Song of the Builders	A. Maclaren, D. D.	Psalm 132:1-18

People

David, Ephratah, Ephrath, Jacob, Psalmist

Places

Jerusalem

Topics

Eyeballs, Eyelids, Rest, Sleep, Slumber

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Psalm 132:1-5

5430 oaths, human

Psalm 132:2-5

5741 vows

Psalm 132:4-5

5537 sleeplessness

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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