Today is the 9th anniversary of the 9/11 bombing of the Twin Towers in NYC. Today's psalm is about the psalmist celebrating bringing the Ark of Covenant back into Jerusalem. God promises the Israelites that David's sons would sit on the throne forever. One promise is conditional - David's line would rule over Israel as long as they followed God's command. The other promise is unconditional and it is that royal line will reign forever. This was fulfilled through Christ. Christ came from the line of David. Remember the Jewish heritage is deeply steeped in genealogy. Our country was formed in part to be able to worship God freely, not forced to worship God according to man/government rule. The bombing on 9/11 has given many of us pause for thought, have we wandered away from God? The Israelites were God's chosen people (now the church is) and although God is slow to anger he does punish us for turning from him. Our nation was built on Christian principles, we should be praying that we return to our roots the founders envisioned for our country.
Psalm 132 Verse 1 David endured many hardships - he sinned - but he always returned to God.
Verses 2-5 refers to David wanting to build a temple for the ark. He felt so strongly that he couldn't rest until the Ark was in a permanent location. The temple was not to be built by David because he was a warrier, but through his son who was a ruler during peaceful times. David honored this request, however he prepared and planned the building of the temple for his son.
Verses 6-9 The ark is an obscure place - a temporary location. Ephrathah is the ancient Bethlehem. Commentaries don't think the ark was specifically in Ephrathah, but in an isolated location. David went to worship the Ark where it was located. Verse 9 asks the the priests be clothed in righteousness and may the saints sing for joy. We may long to worship in a church but we can worship God anywhere. He is portable :-). I spent some awesome times worshiping with God walking through the woods.
Verses 11-12 God swore an oath to David. David's line will rule forever. God will never revoke this oath. The second oath God proclaimed is that his sons will rule over Israel forever if they keep God's covenant.
Verses 13-16 God chose Zion/Jerusalem as his dwelling place and he will bless it abundantly. Today God dwells in our hearts - and he will bless us with abundant provisions, clothe us with salvation, and we will sing to him with joy.
Verses 17-18 Growing a horn for David means that mighty descendants will come from David. Solomon was a great king, Christ is the greatest descendant from David's line. Christ will reign to the end of time.
Father God we thank you for the psalmists words. One of David's passions was to build a temple for the Ark. He never got to build it himself but he had the vision. And God promised him that his descendants will rule the earth forever. We pray today for having the passion to pass on our faith to our children and grandchildren. We thank you that we can worship you in a great and mighty cathedral, in each others homes, out in nature, and on our knees in a quiet place. We ask this day that you continue to protect our country from the enemy in order that we can worship you in freedom. We take this freedom for granted and we humbly ask for forgiveness. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
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