Psalms 132:1-18

Psalms 132

This Psalm is plainly a hymn for the consecration of the Temple. We may call it the song of the builders. In its first portion, extending to the close of the seventh verse, the Church pleads with God the many thoughts and long toils that had laid the foundation for His house.

I. Let us gather from this portion some lessons touching preparatory work. (1) Look at the picture which is given us here of the aged king setting himself to his task. He has a sense almost of shame in thinking of his own ease and comfort while so much remains to be done. The repose which he has earned and reached at last he will not take. He will put his own comfort second, God's service which is but the noblest name for duty first. The picture of the text may be a rebuke to the slothfulness of us all. (2) Notice, too, that David's devotedness does make a plea with God. The prayer goes upon the supposition that his toil and self-sacrifice will not, cannot, be all in vain. And the prayer built upon that supposition is answered. (3) Consider how God's remembrance of such preparatory work is shown. David saw no result from all his toils to build the Temple. He got together the great store, but it was reserved for another to mould it into completeness and to see the cloud of glory fill the house. But none the less was it true that God remembered David and all his afflictions, and accepted and crowned his work. So it is with much of every man's doings. We all receive unfinished tasks from those who go before; we all transmit unfinished tasks to them that come after. Our vocation is to advance a little the dominion of God's truth, and to be one of the long line who pass on the torch from hand to hand.

II. Psa 132:8-10 : The prayer for God's blessing on the builders' work. (1) Notice the one great blessing which all builders for God should desire: "Arise, O Lord, into Thy rest," for the Temple of our rearing is not completed till the ark is in its sanctuary and the cloud fills its courts. (2) From this fundamental petition all the other clauses of the prayer flow: (a) power; (b) righteousness; (c) gladness. Such are the Psalmist's desires for his nation.

III. The final section of the Psalm contains the Divine answer, which more than fulfils the Psalmist's desires. Each single petition is enlarged in the answer to something much greater than itself.

A. Maclaren, Sermons Preached in Manchester,2nd series, p. 259.

Reference: Psalms 132 S. Cox, The Pilgrim Psalms,p. 261.