Tap any verse number for what that verse means.
1LORD, remember David, and all his afflictions:
2How he sware unto the LORD, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob;
3Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed;
4I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids,
5Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.
6Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood.
7We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool.
8Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.
9Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.
10For thy servant David’s sake turn not away the face of thine anointed.
11The 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.
12If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.
13For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.
14This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.
15I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
17There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.
18His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.
Understand This
Psalm 132, explained
What Psalm 132 is saying
Psalm 132 is the longest of the Songs of Ascents, recounting David's oath to find a dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant and God's corresponding oath to establish the Davidic dynasty forever. The psalm interweaves human devotion and divine promise, culminating in God's choice of Zion as His eternal habitation and the Davidic throne as His instrument of blessing.
The background behind it
The psalm draws on the narrative of 2 Samuel 6–7, combining the Ark's transfer to Jerusalem with the Davidic covenant. The reference to Ephrathah (Bethlehem region) and Jaar (Kiriath-Jearim) traces the Ark's journey. The psalm likely served in royal liturgy, possibly at coronation ceremonies or the anniversary of the Ark's arrival.
Themes running underneath
The psalm establishes a theological reciprocity: David's devotion to God's dwelling is answered by God's devotion to David's dynasty. The conditional and unconditional elements of the covenant coexist—'if your sons keep My covenant' yet 'the LORD has chosen Zion.' The anointed one (mashiach), the lamp, and the crown become messianic vocabulary.
Why it still matters
This psalm illustrates that human initiative in worship and divine sovereign choice work together, not in competition. It also demonstrates that God's promises are not voided by human failure but fulfilled through the faithful remnant.
Scripture text: King James Version — public domain.