Psalm 132
Geneva Study Bible
A Song of degrees. LORD, remember David, and all his afflictions:
A Song of degrees. LORD, remember David, and all his {a} afflictions:

(a) That is, with great difficulty he came to the kingdom, and with great zeal and care he went about to build your temple.

How he sware unto the LORD, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob;
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;
Surely I {b} will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed;

(b) Because the chief charge of the king was to set forth God's glory, he shows that he would take no rest, neither would he go about any worldly thing, were it never so necessary before he had executed his office.

I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids,
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.
Until I find out a place for the {c} LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.

(c) That is, the ark, which was a sign of God's presence.

Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood.
Lo, we heard of it at {d} Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood.

(d) The common instinct was that the ark should remain in Ephratah, that is, in Bethlehem a plentiful place: but later we perceived that you would place it in Jerusalem, which was barren as a forest and compassed about only with hills.

We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool.
We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool.
Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.
Arise, O LORD, into thy {e} rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.

(e) That is Jerusalem, because later his Ark would move to no other place.

Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.
Let thy priests be clothed with {f} righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.

(f) Let the effect of your grace appear both in the priests and in the people.

For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed.
For thy {g} servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed.

(g) As you first made promise to David, so continue it to his posterity that whatever they ask for their people, it may be granted.

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.
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.
If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for {h} evermore.

(h) Because this cannot be accomplished but in Christ, it follows that the promise was spiritual.

For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.
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.
This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have {i} desired it.

(i) Meaning, for his own sake and not for the plentifulness of the place: for he promises to bless it, declaring before that it was barren.

I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread.
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.
I will also clothe her priests with {k} salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.

(k) That is, with my protection, by which they will be safe.

There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.
There will I make the {l} horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.

(l) Though his force for a time seemed to be broken, yet he promises to restore it.

His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.
His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.
The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599]

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