Psalm 132 - Come With History

Psalm 132:1-5, 7-8, 11-18 NIV

Lord, remember David and all his self-denial. 

He swore an oath to the Lord, he made a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:

 “I will not enter my house or go to my bed,

 I will allow no sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids,

 till I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”

“Let us go to his dwelling place, let us worship at his footstool, saying,

 ‘Arise, Lord, and come to your resting place, you and the ark of your might.

The Lord swore an oath to David, a sure oath he will not revoke:

 “One of your own descendants I will place on your throne.

 If your sons keep my covenant and the statutes I teach them,

 then their sons will sit on your throne forever and ever.”

For the Lord has chosen Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling,

 saying, “This is my resting place forever and ever;

 here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it. 

I will bless her with abundant provisions; her poor I will satisfy with food. 

I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her faithful people will ever sing for joy.

 “Here I will make a horn grow for David and set up a lamp for my anointed one.

I will clothe his enemies with shame, but his head will be adorned with a radiant crown.”

Psalm 132 is a prayer for the king of the Jews who rules in Jerusalem, the city where the temple of the Lord sits upon Mount Zion. The prayer is seeking the Lord's blessing on the king, David and his descendants, and as a result, a blessing on all of Israel, it's priests and people.

This psalm also celebrates the story of how David was committed to building the Lord a temple, and how God was moved to establish a covenant with David and his sons. When God heard David's plans to build a temple, the Lord sent the prophet Nathan to him with a message.

2 Samuel 7:11-16 NIV

“ ‘The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’ ”

The worshipers call to one another, "Let's go to the temple where the Lord dwells and worship." They call to the Lord to fill His temple with His glory, to take His seat upon His throne above the ark of the covenant.

They celebrate the Lord's faithful promise to the house of David to always have one of his sons ruling the people with righteousness as he keeps the law of Moses. This means blessings upon all Israel when the king is obedient to God and His law.

The blessings upon Israel through faithful sons of David mean the enduring presence of God among His people, abundance, food for the hungry poor, and a priesthood who carry the salvation of the Lord upon their hearts to share with the people. Blessing means the people will forever sing with joy to the Lord for His goodness. It means strength and glory upon the king of the Jews and shame and defeat upon the enemies of Israel.

As the pilgrims travel to Jerusalem to worship they sing this psalm, among the many others designed to encourage and instruct. They are reminded of their history. They are reminded of the significance of the temple. It's history points to their future. Rooted in the desire to honor the Lord, the temple has become the earthly dwelling of the living God, creator of heaven and earth. From there God will bless Israel. They are reminded of God's promises to the house of David and what it means for all Israel. And they increase their joy in anticipation of seeing the temple and worshiping there.

I'm getting super excited about seeing the new film Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Anticipation builds as I remember my history with this mythological space adventure. I remember seeing the first film back in 1977 as a 15 year old boy scout camp counselor on a night off. I remember how we all cheered when the movie ended. I saw that movie three times that summer. I've seen everything Star Wars since. It's a joyful part of my life.

A new full length trailer is coming out this Monday. I can't wait to see it. The trailer will be like seeing a glimpse of the film coming out on December. Though it's still two months away, my joy and anticipation grows each day. I imagine that glimpsing the temple seated upon Mount Zion from a distance miles away must have also filled the worshipers long ago with joy that grew with every step they took. The object of their desire was soon to be within their immediate presence, the Lord of heaven and earth.

As I come to the sanctuary of any particular church, I come with history. I remember my life journey with God. I remember His faithfulness to me. I remember that God has kept His promise to the house of David and placed the Son of David, Jesus Christ, upon the throne forever. I acknowledge that Jesus is the righteous king who brings blessings upon the world by blessing the church with love and grace, truth and wisdom, plenty and protection. I remember that I was weened on mother church and grew in faith through her teachings. I stand in thankful joy as I look upon the altar.

May we always and forever be filled with songs of joyful praise to our God.