GOD ALWAYS KEEPS HIS WORD (Psalm 132)

In a world filled with lies and deceit, it is encouraging to know that God always keeps His word. Psalm 132 reminds us that the God who makes promises will always keep those promises. What He foretells, He always fulfills.

This psalm centers on God’s promise to David and the covenant into which they entered. You can study more in the Old Testament about the Davidic covenant and all of God’s promises, many of which have been fulfilled already and remainder of which will be fulfilled prophetically.

Verses 1-8: “Lord, remember David, and all his afflictions: How he sware unto the Lord, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob; Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed; I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids, Until I find out a place for the Lord, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob. Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood. We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool. Arise, O Lord, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.”

The setting for Psalm 132 is found in the 15th chapter of I Chronicles when the Ark of the Covenant was brought back into Jerusalem. David worshipped and celebrated, giving God the glory for the return of this vehicle of His visible presence. But the psalm also reveals David’s heart.

You may recall that David’s goal was to build the temple, but God would not allow him to do that because he was a man of war. Solomon eventually built the temple after his father made all of the preparations for it. But it was David’s passion to build a house for the Lord to dwell in, where His people could meet with Him.

And the Lord honored that. He made a covenant with David that was so deep and profound that it has affected the entire nation of Israel and the entire world for all time. God promised His people a land, a king, and a throne. He promised them His presence.

God has always kept His promises, and He always will.

Verses 9-18: “Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy. For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed. The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne. If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore. For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest forever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread. I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy. There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed. His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.”

Psalm 132 has a historical aspect because of David and the nation of Israel. It has a prophetic aspect because it speaks of the Messiah, which is to come. And there is also a devotional aspect with respect to our relationship with the God who always keeps His word.

What an amazing psalm. I want to challenge you today to spend some time meditating in Psalm 132. It will do your faith good. It will remind you that you can always count on God’s Word and that it is impossible for Him to lie. He is a God of integrity and uprightness. Everything He has ever said, He will do.

Psalm 132 is divided into four stanzas, each of which mentions David. You see his name in verses 1, 10, 11 and 17. Why is there such an emphasis?

David’s Commitment

David had committed himself to God, to His presence, and to worshipping Him. This challenges me. David is referred to in the Bible as a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22), and I believe part of the reason is that David’s heart was after God.

He was consumed with one thing, and it was not building his palace or enlarging his empire, or gathering more riches. Those were the things his children and grandchildren would obsess over. David wanted God’s presence. He wanted to worship the Lord, and he wanted everyone else to do the same so that God would be glorified.

Are you fully committed to Jesus Christ? I’m not asking whether you believe in Him. I’m talking about whether you are fully committed to worshipping God and leading others to Him.

God’s Covenant

This is at the core of the psalm. God made promises to David. He said, “I am going to take care of your enemies, bless your children, preserve your throne, and bless your people because they are My people.”

This is why we should pray for the nation of Israel and why I continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. God is not finished with His people. Someday soon, when the Lord Jesus returns to set up His throne for His millennial reign upon the earth, we are going to see the fulfillment of this Davidic Covenant. God keeps His word.

Christ’s Coming

There is a climactic end to Psalm 132, a great crescendo. Look again at verses 17-18.

“There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed. His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.”

The “bud” suggests new life, and the “lamp” new light. At the time of this writing, David wore the crown, but the flourishing crown cited in this verse refers to the coming reign of Christ.

When the Lord Jesus Christ comes, He will bring a whole new perspective to this life and a light into this dark world. He will put down all of His enemies, and the crown will flourish on His head as He rules and reigns. If you know Him as your personal Savior, you will rule and reign with Him.

Psalm 132 is not just about David. It is also about Christ. It does not stop God’s covenant work in the Old Testament but brings it right on through to the time in which we are living today.

Spend some time in this great passage. You will see David, for sure, but get your eyes on God and on the coming of His Son. Commit yourself today to worshipping Him and leading others to do the same.

Friends, Jesus is coming. God always keeps His word.