◄ Psalm 132:8 ►
Arise, O LORD, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength.
Study Bible
Arise, O LORD
This phrase is a call to action, invoking the presence and power of God. The Hebrew word for "Arise" is "קוּם" (qum), which is often used in the Old Testament to signify God taking action or intervening in human affairs. This invocation is reminiscent of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, where the Ark of the Covenant would set out, and Moses would say, "Rise up, O LORD!" (Numbers 10:35). It is a plea for God to manifest His presence and power in a tangible way, reflecting a deep trust in His ability to act on behalf of His people.

and come to Your resting place
The "resting place" refers to the sanctuary or the temple, which is the dwelling place of God among His people. The Hebrew word "מְנוּחָה" (menuchah) implies a place of rest, tranquility, and peace. Historically, this is significant as it points to the Ark of the Covenant being brought to Jerusalem by King David, symbolizing God's presence and favor resting upon the city and the nation. Spiritually, it speaks to the ultimate rest found in God's presence, a theme echoed in the New Testament where believers find rest in Christ (Matthew 11:28-30).

You and the ark of Your strength
The "ark of Your strength" refers to the Ark of the Covenant, which was the most sacred object in the Israelite religion, representing God's covenant with His people and His mighty power. The Hebrew word for "strength" is "עֹז" (oz), denoting might, power, and refuge. The Ark was not only a symbol of God's presence but also of His strength and protection. In a broader theological context, this phrase underscores the belief in God's omnipotence and His role as a protector and sustainer of His people. The Ark, as a type of Christ, foreshadows the ultimate manifestation of God's strength and presence in the person of Jesus Christ, who is the fulfillment of the covenant and the embodiment of divine power and salvation.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who is called upon to arise and take His place among His people.

2. The Ark of the Covenant
Referred to as "the ark of Your strength," it symbolizes God's presence, power, and covenant with Israel. It was central to Israel's worship and represented God's throne on earth.

3. Zion (Jerusalem)
The resting place mentioned in the broader context of Psalm 132, where the Ark was brought and where God chose to dwell among His people.

4. David
The king who desired to bring the Ark to Jerusalem and establish a permanent dwelling place for God, reflecting his heart for worship and God's presence.

5. Solomon
David's son, who ultimately built the temple in Jerusalem, fulfilling his father's desire for a permanent resting place for the Ark.
Teaching Points
God's Presence is Central
Just as the Ark symbolized God's presence, believers today are called to prioritize God's presence in their lives through worship, prayer, and obedience.

A Heart for God's Dwelling
Like David, we should have a desire for God to dwell among us, both individually and corporately as the body of Christ.

The Fulfillment in Christ
Jesus is the ultimate "resting place" of God, where His presence and power are fully realized. Believers are invited to find rest in Him.

Reverence and Joy in Worship
The bringing of the Ark to Jerusalem was marked by celebration and reverence. Our worship should reflect both joy and awe for who God is.

God's Faithfulness to His Covenant
The Ark was a reminder of God's promises. We can trust in God's faithfulness to His Word and His covenant with us through Christ.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of God's "resting place" in Psalm 132:8 relate to the New Testament understanding of believers as the temple of the Holy Spirit?

2. In what ways can we, like David, cultivate a heart that desires God's presence in our daily lives?

3. How does the Ark of the Covenant as a symbol of God's strength and presence find its fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ?

4. Reflect on a time when you experienced joy and reverence in worship. How can you cultivate these attitudes regularly?

5. How does understanding God's faithfulness to His covenant in the Old Testament encourage you in your walk with Christ today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Samuel 6
Describes David bringing the Ark to Jerusalem, highlighting the joy and reverence associated with God's presence.

1 Kings 8
Solomon's dedication of the temple, where the Ark is placed in the Holy of Holies, signifying God's dwelling among His people.

Exodus 25
Details the construction of the Ark, emphasizing its significance as the meeting place between God and His people.

Hebrews 9
Discusses the Ark in the context of the Old Covenant, pointing to Christ as the fulfillment of God's presence and promises.
Sermons
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
God's House and WorshippersG. F. Fessey, M. A.Psalm 132:7-9
On the SanctuaryBishop Dehon.Psalm 132:7-9
Public WorshipR. Macnair.Psalm 132:7-9
The Devout Worshipper's Resolution and Ardent PrayerJ. G. Breay, B. A.Psalm 132:7-9
Blessings on the SanctuaryW. M. Punshon, LL. D.Psalm 132:8-9
The Church the Rest of the LordS. Conway Psalm 132:8, 9
The Gracious Presence of God in His Own OrdinancesJohn Young, D. D.Psalm 132:8-9
People
David, Ephratah, Ephrath, Jacob, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Arise, Ark, O, Rest, Resting, Resting-place, Strength
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 132:8

     1105   God, power of
     7306   ark of the covenant

Psalm 132:6-9

     8288   joy, of Israel

Psalm 132:8-12

     1351   covenant, with David

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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