◄ Psalm 132:14 ►
"This is My resting place forever and ever; here I will dwell, for I have desired this home.
Study Bible
This is My resting place
The phrase "This is My resting place" signifies a divine declaration of God's chosen dwelling. In the Hebrew context, the word for "resting place" is "מְנוּחָה" (menuchah), which implies a place of tranquility and repose. Historically, this refers to Zion, the city of Jerusalem, which God chose as His earthly dwelling among His people. Theologically, it symbolizes God's desire to be present with His people, offering them peace and stability. This choice of Zion as a resting place underscores the covenant relationship between God and Israel, highlighting His commitment to dwell among them.

forever and ever
The repetition of "forever and ever" emphasizes the eternal nature of God's promise. In Hebrew, the phrase is "עַד עוֹלָם" (ad olam), which conveys perpetuity and unending time. This eternal promise reflects God's unchanging nature and His faithfulness to His covenant. It reassures believers of the enduring presence of God in their lives, offering hope and security. Theologically, it points to the ultimate fulfillment in the New Jerusalem, where God's presence will be with His people eternally.

Here I will dwell
"Here I will dwell" is a reaffirmation of God's intention to make Zion His home. The Hebrew word "אֵשֵׁב" (eshev) means to sit, remain, or inhabit, indicating a permanent and intentional presence. This dwelling is not just a temporary visit but a settled habitation. It reflects God's desire for intimacy and communion with His people. In a broader scriptural context, it foreshadows the incarnation of Christ, where God dwelt among humanity in the person of Jesus, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers.

for I have desired it
The phrase "for I have desired it" reveals the heart of God and His sovereign choice. The Hebrew word "חָפַץ" (chafatz) means to delight in or take pleasure in. This indicates that God's decision to dwell in Zion is not out of obligation but out of His own delight and purpose. It highlights the love and grace of God, who chooses to be with His people out of His own volition. This desire of God assures believers of His loving intentions and His willingness to be involved in their lives. It invites believers to respond with worship and gratitude, recognizing the privilege of being chosen by God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The speaker in this verse, expressing His choice of a dwelling place.

2. Zion/Jerusalem
The implied location of God's resting place, significant as the spiritual and political center of Israel.

3. David
The psalm is traditionally attributed to David, who had a deep desire to find a dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant.

4. The Ark of the Covenant
Represents God's presence among His people, which David sought to bring to Jerusalem.

5. The Temple
The eventual physical manifestation of God's dwelling place, built by Solomon, David's son.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereign Choice
God chooses where He will dwell, emphasizing His sovereignty and divine will. Believers can trust in God's perfect plans and purposes for their lives.

The Desire of God
God's desire to dwell among His people shows His love and commitment. Christians are encouraged to cultivate a relationship with God, knowing He desires closeness with them.

Eternal Resting Place
The concept of God's eternal resting place points to the eternal security believers have in Christ. This assurance should bring peace and hope to Christians.

The Importance of Worship
Just as God chose Zion as His dwelling place, believers are called to make their hearts a place of worship and reverence for God.

Fulfillment in Christ
Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of God's dwelling among His people. Christians are reminded that through Christ, they have direct access to God's presence.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God's choice of Zion as His dwelling place impact your view of His sovereignty in your life?

2. In what ways can you make your heart a "resting place" for God today?

3. How does the promise of God's eternal dwelling with His people in Revelation 21 encourage you in your daily walk with Christ?

4. Reflect on a time when you felt God's presence in a special way. How did that experience shape your faith?

5. How can the church today reflect the dwelling place of God, as seen in Psalm 132:14, in its community and worship practices?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Samuel 7
God's covenant with David, promising that his lineage would have an everlasting kingdom, which ties to God's choice of Zion as His dwelling place.

1 Kings 8
Solomon's dedication of the Temple, where God's presence fills the Temple, fulfilling His promise to dwell among His people.

Revelation 21
The New Jerusalem, where God will dwell with His people eternally, reflecting the ultimate fulfillment of God's desire to be with His people.
Sermons
Limited PermanencyR. Tuck Psalm 132:14
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
Zion of the Lord BelovedS. Conway Psalm 132:13-15
God's Choice of ZionD. Dickson.Psalm 132:13-16
Zion and Her ProvisionC. Parvey.Psalm 132:13-16
People
David, Ephratah, Ephrath, Jacob, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Desire, Desired, Dwell, Enthroned, Forever, Rest, Resting, Resting-place, Sit
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 132:13-16

     7271   Zion, as symbol

Psalm 132:13-18

     7470   temple, significance

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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