Useful Bible Studies > Songs of Ascent Commentary

Psalm 132

A promise that David did not even request

In Psalm 132:17-18, God promised something that David did not even request. David had not asked for honour for himself. He had not cared about his own comfort (Psalm 132:3-4) or his own importance. David cared only about God. But God had seen David’s attitudes, and God wanted to reward David. So God made a promise to David himself. God uses two word pictures here:

(1) David’s rule would be like a horn that grew strong. Horns are the bony points that grow on the head of some animals. Animals use their horns when they fight. So horns became a word picture of strength. Here, they mean the power of a king and his government. In other words, God would make David’s rule strong.

(2) God would provide a lamp for the king whom he had chosen. A lamp is a word picture for something that is splendid. Here, it is David himself who is splendid. In other words, God would give honour to David and to the kings from David’s family.

So God would be for David, and against David’s enemies. They would be ashamed. But David’s rule would be wonderful.

These last promises were for David himself. But they were also for the kings from David’s family, because they benefited from David’s special relationship with God. But especially, they are promises to the Messiah (the special king whom God would appoint from David’s family). The Messiah is Jesus. God has made him powerful. God had given him great honour. By God’s power, he defeats all his enemies. And his wonderful rule will never end. See 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 and Philippians 2:5-11.

Next part: Psalm 132 as poetry

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