Seventh-day Adventist Bible CommentaryPsalms 132

All his afflictions. See 1 Chron. 22:14. Some of the trials David endured were of his own making, others came upon him from without.

Sware. See 2 Sam. 7:1–13. The historical account does not mention the oath.

I will not come. David resolved to make the building of a house for the Lord the item of pre-eminent importance in his affairs.

Not give sleep. An Oriental figure (see Prov. 6:4). The psalmist could not enjoy rest till he had prepared a resting place for the ark of God. He was so in earnest about God’s work that everything else took second place.

We heard of it. An abrupt transition of thought to the unhoused ark. Ephratah. The meaning of this poetical passage is obscure. Some see in “Ephratah” a reference to Bethlehem, since Ephratah was the ancient name of that city (see on Gen. 35:19). Others see a reference to Kirjath-jearim (1 Chron. 2:24, 50), where the ark was for 20 years (1 Sam. 7:2). Wood. Heb. ya‘ar, which should probably be rendered as a proper name, Jaar (see RSV), which, in turn, is probably a shortened form of Kirjath-jearim, Heb. Qiryath Ye‘arim.

Arise. A prayer that the Lord will occupy the resting place Israel provided for Him (see 2 Chron. 6:41, 42).

With righteousness. Purity and holiness are required of those who minister in sacred offices (see Job 29:14; Rev. 19:8). Saints. Heb. chasidim (see Additional Note on Ps. 36).

Thine anointed. This prayer might appropriately have been offered as each successor in the line of David mounted the throne and entered upon his sacred office.

Lord hath sworn. See 2 Sam. 7:12.

If. The promises to David were conditional on obedience (see 1 Kings 8:25; cf. 2 Sam. 7:14; see on 2 Sam. 7:12–16).

My rest. Better, “my resting place.” “Had Israel as a nation preserved her allegiance to Heaven, Jerusalem would have stood forever, the elect of God” (GC 19; see DA 577).

Her provision. Temporal prosperity would have been the lot of Israel if she had followed the divine plan (see Deut. 18:1–14).

Clothe her priests. A response to the prayer of v. 9. Israel tragically failed in her mission. Instead of being clothed with salvation her priests became profaners of true worship (Eze. 22:26). Saints. Heb. chasidim (see Additional Note on Ps. 36).

To bud. Heb. samach, “to sprout,” or “to spring up.” The noun semach, “branch,” “twig,” or “sprout,” is used as a title of the Messiah (see Jer. 23:5; 33:15; Zech. 3:8; 6:12). A lamp. Compare 1 Kings 15:4. For mine anointed. That is, for the king, here a reference to David. The word “anointed” is from the Heb. mashiach, literally, “messiah,” from the root mashach, “to anoint.”

Crown. Heb. nezer, “a consecration [to an office],” also “a diadem [or sign of consecration].” It can be appropriately applied to a king’s crown or to a high priest’s diadem (see Ex. 29:6). The LXX reads “my holiness” in place of “his crown.” Flourish. Heb. ṣuṣ, “to blossom.” Ṣuṣ is here used in the sense “to shine,” “to sparkle,” or “to glitter.” The corresponding noun ṣiṣ, “a blossom” or “a front ornament,” is used in referring to the glittering plate of gold bearing the inscription “Holiness to the Lord,” which the high priest wore on his miter (see Ex. 28:36, 37).