LESSON 1, INTRODUCTION:

Several years ago now I sat in a tent at an old-fashioned Camp Meeting, ready to preach, and a gentleman came up to me and remarked, "You sure do love the Psalms, don't you?"

He was referring to the fact that so many of them, chapters from the Psalter, have been "studied" here on the Website.

If he reads this, he will remember the conversation. And he will smile as I announce, "We are now going to focus for a few days on Psalm 132."

I've always felt this Psalm is "hard" to understand. To me anyway. So I'm excited to get to work through it verse by verse.

It belongs to a family of Psalms knows as the "Songs of Degrees." There are 15 of them, beginning at Psalm 120 and continuing through Psalm 134. Several have been exposited here on the Website. Consult the "Site Map" to locate each of them, Psalms 130 and 131 as well as Psalm 134. All these are verse-by-verse analyses.

But Psalm 132 is, in fact, the longest of the "Songs of Degrees," clearly so. It consists of 18 verses. Its "neighbors" on either side, have only 3 verses apiece, Psalm 131 and Psalm 133.

I've already read of a few commentators who think this Psalm "does not belong" in its present setting. But of course it does! I believe the Holy Spirit not only wrote the Bible, but arranged it as well.

So, here's our Text for the next (likely) two weeks, Psalm 132 ...

"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. 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 for ever: 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."

It's thrilling, standing on the brink of a chapter of God's Word, ready to "jump in" and learn!

Anyone coming with me?

             --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 2, GOD ANSWERS PRAYER:

It is obvious that Psalm 132 concerns the Temple, and is Jewish to the core. One writer believes the Chapter is divided into four sections, each mentioning the name of King David! (I'm not yet sure about those "divisions," but David is certainly remembered that many times. In just one Psalm!)

I like the approach to Psalm 132 that suggests a Lesson in prayer! That God answers prayer! That often when we pray God not only answers, but does much more that we ask! Or answers in a way that's a whole lot better than we have asked!

Now here's why I think this. Follow my reasoning.

Psalm 132:1-5 consists of one long prayer. "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." Now in Psalm 132:12 the Lord answers. God will not only "remember" David, He will also see to it that David has a Son or Grandson or Great-Grandson to sit on Israel's throne perpetually! "If thy children (David) will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore." Psalm 132:12, Wow, a dynasty! See it? More than was asked!

Next Psalm 132:7 is paralleled (repeated really) by Psalm 132:13. "We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool." What a noble desire! Now again, "We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool." Yes, here a prayer (a sincere yearning of one's heart) is simply repeated, word for word! And the totality of the Songs of Degrees (Psalms 120 through 134) serve as answers to this resolve! Each describes Israel's entering or planning to enter the City of Jerusalem and worshipping her God ... at His House ... the "footstool" likely being the Ark of the Covenant! The point? Some prayers need to be repeated! Keep on asking! The answer will come. Especially when worshipping God is the goal!

Now another short prayer, expressed as a holy desire, Psalm 132:8. "Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength." And six verses later, "This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it." God Himself is talking, fulfilling the hunger of verse 8. Readers, please see how "enter thy Rest" in the petition has become "dwelling" in My Rest "for ever" in God's answer!)

Now Psalm 132:9, "Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy." A prayer completely dedicated to God's Glory, by the way! And the answer? "I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy." Verse 16, clear as it can be! "Righteousness" in the prayer has become "salvation" in the answer! And "Shouting" in the prayer has become "shouting aloud" in the answer!

Finally Psalm 132:10 is a prayer too. "For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed." God soon responds, "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 132:17-18, see how much "more" is given than was asked? From "don't look away from David" all the way to "his power and authority (horn) will bud and blossom and bloom ... and his enemies will be shamed ... and his crown (kingdom, domain) will prosper!"

Thrilling!

Psalm 132 is then a perfect "forerunner" of Paul's great Ephesians 3:20 statement about our God. A mighty Lord Who ... "is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."

Amen!

And all the way through Psalm 132 this wonderful God is doing just that, exceeding abundantly MORE than was asked or even thought!

What beauty!

What truth!

What encouragement to pray!

           --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 3, THE SONGS OF DEGREES:

Verse 1 of Psalm 132 also includes the "superscript." The few words posted above the opening sentence. Look: "A Song of degrees" then immediately "LORD, remember David, and all his afflictions."

This little "title" places Psalm 132 into the same category as its "neighbors," being Psalms 120 through Psalm 134. All 15 of these are labeled "Songs of Degrees!"

They are "stair-step" Songs or Psalms, chapters of Scripture that essentially "build" on each other, "hinting" at some sort of gradation, ascent, progress in the Christian life.

The little noun "song" is "shiyr" in Hebrew, and means "musical." It's derived from a root word however, "shur," that means "to travel, to journey!" Blend these two ideas and you get a "traveling minstrel!" Someone who sings wherever he or she goes! Psalms to "sing" as you "march" toward the Holy City!

These chapters (again Psalms 120-134) are to be memorized, set to music, and sung by the people of Israel! Habitually! Jesus no doubt knew them, sang them, pondered them! As He and Mary and Joseph walked to the House of God time and time again. The distance between Nazareth and Jerusalem is about 70 miles, likely a three day journey.

Amazing!

Now, "Songs of Degrees," this second noun being "maalah," a "going up" of sorts! Again, "stairs" or "steps" or "increments" of progress!

Many Bible teachers feel these Psalms were sung en masse by the Jews as they (3 times a year as prescribed by Mosaic Law) marched upward (stairs, steps, degrees, rungs of a ladder) from their individual homes all the way to the House of God, to Jerusalem, to worship their God.

In fact, for this reason several of the older writers, Bible commentators, call these the "Pilgrim Psalms."

And indeed there is an "order," a "development" in the Truth they present. A "maturing" of faith, of insight, of quality of spiritual life.

From Psalm 120 and its dissatisfaction with one's current spiritual condition, "Woe is me." To Psalm 121 and its clear description of a man and his family "on a journey!" Traveling the long distance from "home" to "Jerusalem!" To love and adore His Mighty God!

By Psalm 122 they have arrived "within sight" of the lovely City, and its Temple! "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem." Amen!

An upward pattern, progress, continues to accrue all the way to the last few Psalms, Psalm 133 for example. Loving the brethren! "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"

Wow!

Tomorrow we shall notice the remainder of Verse 1, Lord willing. "LORD, remember David ..." I want us to look at some things God asks us to "remember," to "not forget!"

It should be interesting!

                  --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 4, A PRAYER FOR DAVID:

After all the introductory remarks Psalm 132 beautifully begins with a short prayer. It's the second half of verse number one. "LORD, remember David, and all his afflictions."

The Name for "Lord" used here is Jehovah, the God "Who is!" Who always is! Whose very Name is the One Who is! "I AM THAT I AM," He once called Himself! Yes, in the middle of the Hebrew noun "YEHOVAH" is the little verb "hayah," meaning "to be."

And the verb "remember" in our Verse today translates "zakar," meaning "to call to mind." In fact, 21 times in the King James Bible it is rendered as "mention," to "talk" and "speak" concerning a person or thing!

In other words, "Lord, don't forget!" Phrased and asked reverently and respectfully, of course.

"LORD, remember David, and all his afflictions."

"David," simply meaning "beloved" in Hebrew, is the "subject" of this prayer. The "object" of it too! Really a Davidic theme permeates this whole Psalm, all 18 verses. The longest of the Songs of Degrees, by far!

But remember David, Lord, in a particular sense. Concerning "all his afflictions." Now this is an interesting little word, "afflictions." In Hebrew "anah" means "to oppress" a person. Actually "to stay busy oppressing" him or her. It may derive from a yet more basic  form meaning "to answer." In the Bible our little word is translated "afflict" 50 times, "humble" 11 times, "exercise" 2 times, "troubled" and "weakened" once each. It might mean "looking down" on a person in the sense of "browbeating" him or her. So says one of my Hebrew dictionaries anyway.

A prayer for David!

Psalm 10:12 perfectly expresses the desire of our Text today. "Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble." This is powerful!

Then Psalm 74:19. "O Lord, deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked: forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever."

Asking God to intervene and protect the "lowly." The "persecuted." The "humble" of His family.

By the way, God asks us to remember some things too! Let me remind you of a few of them.

Deuteronomy 5:15 is classic! "And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day." (John Newton's favorite Bible Verse, the author of "Amazing Grace!") Also Deuteronomy 15:15, along this same line, but with one more powerful verb! "And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day."

Then Deuteronomy 8:2. "And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no."

Then Psalm 77:11, spoken with determination. "I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old." Yes!

And if you're reading here today with a particularly heavy burden, another prayer to God. "O LORD, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and revenge me of my persecutors; take me not away (don't let me die) in thy longsuffering: know that for thy sake I have suffered rebuke." Jeremiah 15:15, prayed by a suffering saint!

And if you're not saved, this prayer got a man born-again! "And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom." To which Jesus immediately responded, "Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." Luke 23:42-43

Amen!

Yes, in case you're wondering ... "LORD, remember David, and all his afflictions" ... the Lord did remember David! Still does! And shall for all the future too!

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 5, DAVID'S LOVE FOR THE HOUSE OF GOD:

One thing David did, King David of Israel, was to love the House of God. Intensely so! When God's Dwelling Place was still just a tent, David is particularly described as follows: "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." Psalm 132:3-5

He is going to provide the Lord a Place to live, to settle down among the Jewish people. No longer will the Tabernacle be a "wandering, portable" Facility!

The verb "sware" is interesting as used here. It literally means "to seven" something! To say it "seven times!" Thus "to avow, to commit, to determine" to bring that thing to pass!

God here is initially called "the Mighty God of Jacob," but the Hebrew Text from which the King James translators worked reads like this, "Abiyr Yaaqob." Literally, "The Mighty (One) of Jacob!" Really God here is just named "Strength!" And the root word behind "mighty" is "abar," used only 1 time in all the Bible and at that place meaning "to fly!" Also this unusual "string" of words is found only 3 times in all Scripture. Twice in Psalm 132 here, in verses 2 and 5. Then again in Deuteronomy 49:24. "And the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob."

Our paragraph today presents a classic case of "putting God first" in one's life. David thinks, "I will not build my house first, not ahead of God's House. I will not even sleep. Until I've found the Place where the House of the Lord might rest!"

Listen to this same man elsewhere in his Biblical corpus. "One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple." Psalm 27:4, quite consistent with his feelings here in our Psalm as well.

No wonder David is called "the sweet Psalmist of Israel!" Second Samuel 23:1 records: "Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel."

A strong love for God and the things of God! David is thus tabbed: "He (the Lord) raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will." Acts 13:22, with God doing the talking!

I suspect God still blesses those who love His House ... for His Own Name's Sake. Not because their family "runs" it. Or because they are a "favorite" of the Preacher. Or because they have relatives buried in the cemetery out back. Or because it's nearest their home. Or because they have been Sunday School Superintendent for twenty-five years. But because of Jesus!

Lord willing, more tomorrow!

                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 6, GOD'S "HABITATION:"

Here's the Bible history concerning King David and his yearning to build a House for God. "Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building. But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood." First Chronicles 28:2-3

Here's more, First Chronicles 22:8-10. "But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight. Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days. He shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever."

Therefore I conclude that our Text this week, Psalm 132, is summarily revealing David's heart, his desire to build God's House within the limits of God's restraint placed upon him.

"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." Psalm 132:3-5, clearly quoting David.

Admirable!

Folks, there are whole chapters in the Bible praising the qualities of this unusual Tabernacle, later a beautiful Temple, where God "lives" in an earthly sense. Psalm 84, for example. "How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee." Here's more from the same sublime Poem. "For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee." Again, this is from Psalm 84.

Little wonder David so "treasures" this Place. The Jews today still do, for that matter.

David wants to make a "habitation" for God!

Again, Psalm 132:5. "Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob."

I'd like to explain that underlined noun, "habitation." It is spelled "mishkan" in Hebrew. All the lexicons say it is derived from a root verb, "shakan," meaning "to dwell, abide, remain, inhabit." A Place where God can live ... among His Own children, His Own people.

And from these two words, more so from "shakan," comes the English word "Shekinah!" Or better spelled, "Shekhinah."

Often we speak of the "Shekinah Glory" of Almighty God! We mean the term to refer to the "Cloud of Glory" that indicated God's Very Presence in those days long ago.

David wants God nearby!

Watch carefully now. Here are both the Cloud and the Glory, plus the act of dwelling all blended in a single Verse. "And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud (visible) abode (shakan) thereon, and the glory (honor) of the LORD filled the tabernacle." Exodus 40:35

But beginning in the days of the New Testament ... and continuing to this very hour ... God no longer dwells in tents or buildings ... but human lives, hearts, souls, spirits, of all things "bodies!"

Listen to Paul teach in First Corinthians 6:19. "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God." Plus this, "Therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." See here the "mixture" of God's dwelling in us ... and the immediate admonition to give Him glory! Sort of a "Shekinah Glory" picture in each believer alive today!

God commended David for wanting to build such a Place. Wrote a Psalm extolling the very idea, Psalm 132. From which I'll write another Lesson tomorrow morning, the Lord willing.

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 7, EPHRATAH AND THE FIELDS OF THE WOOD:

The subject of Psalm 132 so far (verses 1-5) has been God's House, and King David's love for that special Place. Today, in Verse 6, the "location" of God's House is specified. "One" of its many locations I should say.

"Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood." I think the "spirit" of this divinely inspired sentence is one of "eager searching" on David's part for the "Ark" of God, the "Ark of the Covenant," the very "heart" of Jewish worship! The "crux" of the Tabernacle too, and the Temple later in Israel's history, this powerful "Ark."

David is "listening!" Thus, "We heard of it at Ephratah."

David is "looking, seeking." So, "We found it in the fields of the wood."

These facts go far back into the history of the Ark, the Tabernacle. When the Philistines defeated Israel, captured the Ark, and this precious piece of Furniture was absent from its proper place (at Shiloh and later at Jerusalem) many years. Twenty years most of the teachers say. "And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen. And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain." First Samuel 4:10-11, a sad account.

Now to our verse again, "Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood."

The noun "Ephratah" means "ash-heap," but in the sense of "fertilizer." In other words, "a fruitful place." Generally it is believed to have been in the area of Bethlehem. If that's the location here, Bethlehem being David's "home town," he "loved" God's House many years before becoming King! Even as a young man, perhaps a teenager?

However, if "Ephratah" here means the geographical area of "Ephraim," the general location of "Shiloh" where the Ark was kept for years, then the reference here is perhaps even more clear.

Many in Israel had forgotten the House of God ... but not David! He really was a "man after God's Own Heart!" See Acts 13:22 for the term as God used it regarding David.

The "fields of the wood" is literally the "land of Jaar." The noun "jaar," spelled "yaar" in Hebrew, means "woods." Where the trees grow, the forest!

Now in First Samuel 7:1, when the Philistines sent the Ark back to Israel, it having caused them great distress, the Holy Thing finally was brought to a village named "Kirjathjearim," meaning "the city of trees, forests!" Here's the verse: "And the men of Kirjathjearim came, and fetched up the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD."

Wherever, David searched for it, found it, and took it to Jerusalem, setting up the Tabernacle once again!

For this he is praised.

That's the story of Psalm 132 thus far.

Oh that men today would get that "hungry" for God!

Searching for Him!

For the purpose of adoring and worshipping Him!

Yes, verse 6 is difficult, but more beautiful to me now that ever! It explicates Psalm 27:4, David's life goal. "One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple."

Amen!

              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 8, VERSE 7, WE'RE GOING TO WORSHIP:

The seventh Verse of Psalm 132 is significant. Its author is determined to go to God's House! The Old Testament "tabernacle" being indicated here, since the days of David are in view. (The Temple, as you know, was not built until David's Son Solomon was on the Throne.)

Verse 7: "We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool." Hungry for God!

The verb "go" is "bo" in Hebrew, pronounced "bow" as in "bow and arrow." It means "to come, to go, to enter," being translated each way many times in the Old Testament. The Psalmist is saying "I am going to come and go and enter and (enjoy) God's House all my life!"

"Tabernacles" is "mishkan" in Hebrew. It literally means a "dwelling place." (Where God lives, in the Old Testament sense.) It's even translated "tents" once in the King James Version. And yes, it is plural here, there are two "courts" in the Tabernacle, each of which invites adoration and wonder ... directed toward God and His Glory! (The "outer" and the "inner" courts, as they are most often called. And later in the Temple, even more "sections" than these.)

The verb "worship" in our Verse translates "shachah," and means "to bow down" before Someone. To "stoop" and show them reverence! "We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool."

But why is this special Place called a "footstool?" The noun is ""hadom" in Hebrew and is derived from a root verb meaning "to stamp upon!" To trample! I think the idea is that God is so Big, so Great, so Awesome, so Omnipresent ... that He cannot be confined to a single place. Only His Feet can be said to inhabit this great Tent of Holiness! Listen to King Solomon praying at the dedication of the majestic Temple years later: "But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?" Quoting First Kings 8:27, so really the Tabernacle/Temple is just His "footstool!"

Psalm 132:7 again. "We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool." Hear the anticipation, the gladness, the exuberance in his voice! We're going to Church!

Also Verse 7 here shows progression of thought, especially when blended with the last verse, with verse 6. Nearly all of the Songs of Degrees do this, Psalms 120 through 134. What progression? "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." First, we "heard" about the Tabernacle! Second, we "found" it! Third, we will "go" there, make the journey! Fourth, we will "worship" God when we arrive! Truly a Psalm of "Ascent!"

Notice too that Verse 7 presents not just one person worshipping! "We" will go and "we" will worship! It's a family affair! A "congregation" loving their Lord! A "body" of believers, sounds like to me! "We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool."

Really the Holy Spirit has "built" a lot of Truth into one short Verse! Oh that we Christians had that same resolve, that deep a love ... for our places of worship yet today. But really, I suspect, many do!

Let's go to Church!

Come to think of it, being an evangelist, I plan to go ... again tonight! Once another Psalmist called God's House "amiable," precisely meaning "loved!" Amen, "How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!" Psalm 84:1, and we can all agree!

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 9, VERSE 8, GOD'S HOUSE, HIS "REST" AND HIS "STRENGTH:"

I have some thoughts on Psalm 132:8. This Verse represents the second time the author of this Passage has prayed to God! (Verse 1 being the initial request, "Lord, remember David, and all his afflictions.")

Here's the eighth Verse, word for word. "Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength." Obviously, a prayer.

I can find God addressed this way five other times in the Bible. Exactly as here, "Arise O Lord."

For example, Psalm 3:7. "Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly."

And Psalm 7:6 too, an imprecation! "Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded."

Add Psalm 9:19. "Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight."

Then Psalm 10:12. "Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble."

This precise request seems exclusive to the Psalms, being located again in Psalm 17:13. "Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword."

Apparently then it is acceptable to ask God to "arise!" The verb is "qum" in Hebrew, pronounced "koom." It means "to stand up!" Also "to perform!" Once in the Bible it's "to accomplish" a feat!

Bold praying!

But in our Text here it's framed as a prayer meant exclusively for God's Sake! "Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength."

This is an invitation for God to "come" into His Tabernacle! Into His Temple! To be "at home" in His House!

And look what that Structure is called! God's very "rest!" And God's "strength" too! Sort of like this: "Lord, come and sit and relax! Let us serve Thee! Let us do Thy bidding! Enjoy Thy people's obedience!"

Yes, "rest" in Hebrew is "menuchah," as you might expect. The Name "Noah" derives from the term! God at Rest! God dwelling among His people, a praising and worshipping people! (As in Psalm 22:3, "But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.")

By the way, when God "rests" ... His children can be at rest too! "And they departed from the mount of the Lord three days' journey: and the ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them in the three days' journey, to search out a resting place for them." Numbers 10:33, where the Ark rested, the Jews rested!

Listen to Jesus. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28, God the Son talking.

But, with greater discernment needed here, God's House is also called His "strength!" Remember our Text, "Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength."

The "Ark" specifically is so noted. The Ark of the Covenant. The very Place where God "sat," the Mercy Seat it's called. Where the blood of the little lambs was sprinkled every Day of Atonement!

There's God's Strength!

God's Power!

God's Beauty too, I think!

In His ineffable plan of salvation!

Oh yes, the "power" of the "Blood" of Jesus is inexhaustible! The "strength" of redemption is unbreakable!

Readers here today, there's more to ponder in this short little Verse than we can comprehend in a week of meditation!

Wow!

But we can pray thus. "Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength."

I wonder how close this prayer, in essence anyway, is to the personal request, nowadays oft repeated: "Lord, fill us with Thy Holy Spirit!"

"Flood into our being in peace and rest and power!"

God "at home" in you and me!

                     --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 10, VERSE 9, HOLY PRIESTS AND HAPPY SAINTS:

The major emphasis of Psalm 132 is, perhaps, prayer. At least that's what I believe. And today's Verse continues that theme with another set of requests. "Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy." These words of course are directly addressed to the Lord, Psalm 132:9.

These "priests," Sons of Aaron, were God's representatives to man. And man's representatives to God as well. The Hebrew noun "kohen" comes from a root word meaning "to mediate." And here God's "Men" are to be clothed properly. This thought is, in part, an illustration or picture of modesty. For example, Exodus 20:26 demands of these priests: "Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon." Again I say, modesty!

But today the Psalmist clothes them in "righteousness!" Listen to Isaiah 61:10 enlarge on this thought. "I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels." Wow!

Pure living, right standing with God.

Clothed with holy character!

Ladies, listen to Peter addressing you. "Likewise, ye wives, be adorned with the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." First Peter 3:4

The Bible is replete with "word pictures" of followers of God being "clothed" in various traits of holiness. Even with the Holy Spirit Himself, really!

This thought alone is worth a whole series of Bible studies some day! Sometime later though.

Then our verse continues, Psalm 132:9. "Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy."

The "saints," using "chasiyd" in Hebrew, are "kind" ones! Gracious, merciful people who model the grace of God! The word is a derivative of "chesed," a key Hebrew vocabulary word for Grace or Mercy or Lovingkindness!

"Shout for joy" is one word in the Text, "ranan" is used 52 times in the Old Testament and means "to sing" primarily. "To rejoice" as well. Thus, 4 times anyway, "to shout." Here "ranan" is framed as a piel verb, revealing very intensive, emotional, energetic action!

Worship at its best!

Holiness and happiness blended in adoration of Almighty God!

That's today's cry too, or should be. Godly Preachers and rejoicing Believers, faithfully living for Jesus!

Yes, Lord, still we ask it. "Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy."

Amen.

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 11, VERSE 10, FOR DAVID'S SAKE:

Today's Verse is as beautiful as any I've seen, Old Testament or New, in quite a while! Not on the surface perhaps, but deep within its heart!

Yes, Psalm 132:10 is an extension of the great Prayer that Psalm 132 has become. But in a unique way!

Look. "For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed." The Psalmist addressing Almighty God!

With King David in mind, and perhaps his "offspring," his "descendants" too. The future Kings represented by His Son (Solomon) and Grandson (Rehoboam) and the others who follow them. A Davidic "dynasty," really.

What's the request?

"Lord, don't turn away (Thy Face) from Thy 'Anointed,' from the King on the Throne of Israel." Yes, the King was often, in the Old Testament, called God's Anointed! David spoke thus of Saul even, wicked Saul! See references like Second Samuel 1:14, among many others.

"God, keep thy Hand (favorably of course) on our King, on the one whom you have chosen to reign over us."

Again, word for word: "For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed."

Never forsake our leader!

Never refuse to hear him when he comes to Thee!

Please do not forget him!

Or grammatically this view is allowable: "Lord, please never turn Thy Face away from our king!"

"Never turn him away from Thee, always draw Him unto Thyself!"

Now here the "anointed" one could be just David himself. He was special! Or as I just said, any of his godly sons who also ruled Israel, later Judah to be more specific. The noun "anointed" is "mashiyach," literally the word "messiah!"

We need today to pray for our leaders as well, don't we?

But there's more to our verse. "For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed."

"God, please answer my request 'for David's sake!'" That's quite unusual, "for David's sake!"

David was godly!

David was a man after God's Own Heart! The Lord Himself called him that, through the pen of Paul, in Acts 13:22.

David was, again quoting the Lord, "the sweet psalmist of Israel." See Second Samuel 23:1 for proof.

Thus, "for David's sake" hear my petition!

I find this word "string" six times in the Bible! "For David's sake!"

God miraculously delivered Israel from the wicked hands of Assyria in the days of Hezekiah (a descendant of David) "for David's sake!" According to Isaiah 37:25. "For I will defend this city to save it for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake."

Amen!

Now today we do not pray in David's name. But this little verse might be a precursor to the way we do pray! "In Jesus' Name!"

David is indeed a Type of Christ in Scripture. In a number of ways.

Here's Jesus in John 14:13. "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."

Yes!

No longer David the mere Type of Christ!

But Jesus, God the Son, the Darling of His Father!

In His Name!

For His Sake!

In closing, Psalm 132:10 ... "Dear Lord ... for thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed."

But now we're emphasizing ... Jesus!

Yes! Go to God today,  in prayer, sharing your heart and all its needs ... "for Jesus' sake!" Yes even these words, "Jesus' sake," appear in tandum three times in the New Testament!

Praying, not in David's name now, but in Jesus' lovely Name!

What a reminder today!

                   --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 12, VERSE 11, DAVID'S SONS:

God's Promise to King David, one of them anyway, is voiced in today's Psalm 132 verse. "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." Verse 11, God's "swearing" this Truth to David!

By the way, the verb used here is interesting. "Shaba" means "to swear" of course, but in a beautiful sense. Essentially, "to take an oath." But etymologically, "to say something seven times!" Folks, if God says something once it can never fail! But to say it repeatedly our Lord means it more than ever! It's now a vow, a "covenant" really!

The verb for "turn," something here which God will not do, is "shub." I sometimes call it the "repentance" verb of Scripture. God will never repent, "turn back, or withdraw" His decision.

What decision?

What promise?

That David will always have a son or grandson or great-grandson (and so forth generation after generation) to occupy the Throne of Israel!

And this literally happened, for hundreds of years really! A Davidic "Dynasty" was established in the Holy Land!

Here's a partial list of these Royal Monarchs: Solomon, Son of David, then his son Rehoboam. Then Abijah, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Jehoram, Ahaziah, Joash, Amaziah, Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Heaekiah, Manasseh, Amos, Josiah, and others!

But now, today, there is no King!

Has not been a Jewish King since the Babylonian Captivity centuries ago, 586 BC to be precise.

But some day again there will be!

A Son of David on the Throne!

Who?

None other than the Person named in Matthew 1:1. "The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham."

Yes!

Jesus, King of the Jews!

He is coming again and will fulfill this Promise of God to David, literally and victoriously and eternally!

"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."

God's Word never fails!

                  --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 13, VERSE 12, A BIG "IF:"

God's various Promises, His Covenants, are worded differently. Some are "unconditional," meaning God will follow His Commitment no matter what! No one can interfere! They are absolute!

But among His many Promises others are "conditional," indicating God will perform His Word ... but dependent on the dutiful obedience of His followers.

Here's an unconditional promise. Made to Abraham long ago. "Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." Genesis 12:1-3, with no "if" or "but" qualifications!

Now here's a conditional promise, definitely. "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." See the "if" there? God's response depends on the people's cooperation.

Now to today's Verse, Psalm 132:12. Notice that the first word is "if." Here's a condition added to the promise God made in Verse 10. "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."

Let me blend the two verses for clarity. "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."

Yes, David will always have a descendant on the Throne of Israel ... if ... those young Kings will obey God's Word!

To "keep" covenant means "to guard, treasure, observe, take heed" concerning God commands!

The "teaching" mentioned here refers to the instruction that was to be given to children, first by their parents, then later by the priests at the Tabernacle. "Lamad" is the Hebrew word, learning by being "prodded, goaded," with the truth!

But what a bonus!

If the successive generations remain true to God ... each King will in turn see his own Son occupy that Throne!  "Their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore."

What a promise, though clearly conditional.

Then why does David not right now, in 2014 AD, have a relative on the Throne of Israel?

Because they did not obey God's Word!

Some of them were evil in fact!

But God, being faithful as He always is, shall some day send another Son of David to do so, to rule Israel! He, This One, is the Greater Son of David!

He is the Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour as well as "King of the Jews!"

The Lesson today is this.

Obey God's Word!

He blesses those who do!

These few verses are conditional. But well worth obeying! Read them and notice the "qualifications" involved.

"When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him." Proverbs 16:7, amazing!

"Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." Psalm 37:4, powerful!

"The hoary head (grey hair) is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness." Proverbs 16:31

Dozens of others are in the Bible!

God "will" ... but often only "if" we do.

                    --- Dr. Mike Bagwell 

LESSON 14, VERSE 13, THE CITY OF GOD:

To some degree Psalm 132 is a Poem, inspired of the Holy Spirit, praising a City! And that City is Jerusalem. The Chapter also praises a Building, the house of God ... located in this special City!

Yes, Psalm 132 is patriotic to the core!

Verse 13 is astounding in some ways. "For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation."

"Zion" is another Name for Judah, for Israel. More specifically, it's a Name for Jerusalem too.

The verb "to choose" is "bachar" in Hebrew, proving God is not a Robot. Our Lord responds to various stimuli. He has things He loves, too. And hates! This is another way we are created "in His image!"

He in fact, our great God, owns the whole earth. Psalm 24:1 thunders, "The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein."

But He has decided that, though omnipresent (being everywhere at once), God wishes to make His "habitation" in Jerusalem. The noun "habitation" is spelled "moshab" in Hebrew and initially means a "seat." A place of "assembly." A "situation" once in the Bible. And "dwellingplace" three times, a compound term.

This Place for the Israelites to worship has been determined by God based on His "desire!" Look at our Verse again: "For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation."

The verb is "avah," translated "lusted" several times in Scripture, that strong a word! It grammatically means "to wish, want, prefer," even a hint of "being greedy" when used of humans! Also "to be inclined" toward a matter, "to lean" toward a decision!

Yes, in the past God's Presence was most manifest in Jerusalem!

And though today He dwells in the "hearts," in the "bodies" of His people worldwide, His saints, He some day again shall yet focus on ... Jerusalem!

He's coming back to earth, you know.

To that City!

He still loves that Place!

And looking into eternity future ... God is even gong to make a "New Jerusalem" some day!

And we all shall dwell there with Him!

Truly the fact remains in force... "For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation."

Amen!

                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 15, VERSE 14, MORE ABOUT JERUSALEM:

A poet named Keats once wrote a poem in praise of a plant, a fern. It's name, that now famous piece of literature, is "Ode to a Grecian Fern."

In a way, at least part of Psalm 132 is an "ode" to a city, the City of Jerusalem. Today's Verse continues that paragraph. "This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it." Psalm 132:14, with God Himself doing the talking and Jerusalem being the subject.

Three facts about God's "Capital City!"

1. It's the Lord's place of "REST!"

2. It's God's "DWELLING PLACE!"

3. And in some way our Heavenly Father "DESIRES" that little Place, intensely so!

Let's look at the vocabulary words involved here.

1. God resting at Jerusalem?

The word is "menuchah" and means "a comfortable place," where One can be "still" or "at ease" or even "quiet!" Our great God truly enjoys rest! He, creation week, worked six days then rested the seventh, the Sabbath. I find this little noun ("menuchah") 21 times in the Bible. Its first use, Genesis 49:15, also speaks of "rest" ... in the Land, the Promised Land. In Psalm 23 "menuchah" is translated as the word "still," as "He leaded me beside still waters!" And Isaiah 11:10 promises that when Messiah comes back to earth, Jesus Christ our Lord, His "rest" shall be "glorious!" The Biblical history of this word, its pattern of usage, ought to be studied in detail!

2. A City being God's "Dwelling Place?"

The verb "to dwell" is "yashab," meaning "to remain" in a place, permanently! "To inhabit" the City! Again, "to continue" in that Location! Think of it, a "Home" for God!

3. And this Place is God's "Desire?"

Here it's the word "avah," really a verb. Only used 26 times in the Bible, "avah" means "desire" 17 times, as here in our Verse. Then it is rendered "lust" 4 times! And "longed for" 3 more times. And even, check it out, "covet" 2 times! It's thus a "strong" desire. A literal "craving!"

I know of no other single Verse in Scripture that so extols a geographical location. Especially a Middle Eastern one!

I have no doubt, blending all of prophetic Scripture, that the "center" of the world for eternity future, even the new earth, will be this city, Jerusalem.

Wow!

I've never been there, not yet. But will go some day! If not via airline ticket, when Jesus rules in that Place ... I will be there with Him, by His Side! Paul said, after the Rapture, we shall "ever be with the Lord!" Read it, First Thessalonians 4:17, "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

Wonderful!

             --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 16, VERSE 15, A PROMISE OF PLENTY:

In our current paragraph of Psalm 132, the longest chapter in the "Songs of Degrees" family, God is the Speaker. And He makes two promises concerning Jerusalem. "I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread." Psalm 132:15

Obviously here the City is "personified." God will bless "her" provision! A "thing" has come to "life!" Note too, though poetically perhaps, God has the City "owning" her people. Especially here her poor people, precisely "her poor" in our text.

"I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread." Sounds like God plans on protecting His property too!

Let me show you the way the Hebrew language constructs the string "abundantly bless." It is "barak barak" in Hebrew. Literally to twice bless! To double bless! Yes, "barak" means "to praise, to congratulate, to salute" as well as "to bless!" It's used each of the foregoing ways in the Bible.

And the noun "provision" is "tzsayid," meaning "food, venison, victuals," or if you are a fisherman, your "catch!" God will "cater" all that His people need for nourishment! Remember the manna?

"I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread." Now to the verb "will satisfy." Spelled "saba" in Hebrew, it means "to be filled." Or "sated, sufficed." All one could want to eat! Sounds like a buffet to me!

And "poor," written as "ebyon," means "needy" 35 times in the Old Testament. And "beggar" 1 time! The root verb behind "ebyon" is "abah" and suggests one "willing" to eat anything offered him or her. Not "picky," in other words! A hungry man is more easily satisfied than a half-full gourmet!

And then "bread," often referring to any solid food, is "lechem." It's even translated "meat" 18 times in the Bible. It's even rendered as "feast" 1 time. What a promise!

And if God can do that for the Jewish people, in their Land ... He can care for His people anywhere!

Much like Philippians 4:19 says in the New Testament. "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Praise the Lord!

Enjoy the blessings of God today!

This Thanksgiving week!

Remember too, along this same line of thought, Psalm 68:19. "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation."

Amen!

           --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 17, VERSE 16, REVIVAL:

God can bless His people externally ... on the outside, materially even. As in yesterday's verse about Jerusalem and her population! "I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread."

And God can also bless His people internally, spiritually so! That Truth is the heart of today's Psalm 132 Verse. "I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy." With the "her" being a blend of Jerusalem, Israel, and her citizens! Psalm 132:16

Amen!

The verb "clothe" is "labash" in Hebrew. "To dress" someone! "To array" that person, to "come upon" him! As when the Holy Spirit "came upon" Gideon in Judges 6:34. Yes, the Spirit of God "wore" Gideon!

Israel's "priests," spelled "kohen" in Hebrew, are her spiritual leaders. The word, when a verb, means "to mediate." Those Old Testament priests were supposed to represent God to men. And men to God! And also be teachers of the Law, God's Word, to the Jewish people.

And the noun "salvation" is "yesha," from which ultimately the names "Joshua" and Jesus" derive! It means "deliverance, safety," being "rescued!" And their name, "deliverer, victor!"

When the Nation is "right" with God, with clean and godly men leading, even her inhabitants "shout for joy!"

Only one word in Hebrew, "ranan" means "to give a loud, ringing cry," almost always of joy and delight! Expressing sincere Glory to the Name of God!

And the noun "saints," in Hebrew "chasiyd," means the "faithful ones," better yet "kind" folks! Obviously these are "holy" people too.

Following their spiritually attuned leaders!

And, as a result, also following their God!

And the "I," the Subject of this Revival sentence, these glorious conditions ... is None Other than the Lord God Almighty himself! "I (Jehovah God) will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy."

God, The True Giver of Revival!

What cause for thanks!

                     --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

Surely we must feel led to pray, "Lord do it again!"

LESSON 18, VERSE 17, MESSIAH:

Today's Verse, next to last in Psalm 132, looks beyond David. King David of Israel. What a family this must have been, David and Solomon and the generations who followed!

God was, still is, and always will remain committed to "blessing" them, that whole dynasty! A "family" that has produced for the world, through a Virgin named Mary, a Boy named Jesus. This is None Other than our Jesus, the Son of God!

Read with me Psalm 132:17, the whole verse. "There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed."

The "horn" symbolizes "power," we think. "Qeren" in Hebrew can just mean the "horns" of some great animal. A charging bull, for example! Can't you see in those pointed, rapidly approaching horns "power?" Strength, might, even a touch of danger?

But "qeren" also, being rooted in the verb "qaran," means "to shine!" It's thought to be a picture of the "horns," the "rays," the "beams" of light that radiate from the rising sun! Like the "wings" mentioned in Malachi 4:2. "But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall." The "horns" of the sun, in this sense.

King David's "power," his "brilliance," is said here to be long-lasting. It is, in fact, eternal. God is so promising!

To "make to bud" translates "tzsamach," meaning "to sprout, to grow," or even "to bear fruit." It's a very encouraging image.

The verb "ordained" is "arak," suggesting "arrangement, preparation," something being "put in order."

God's "anointed" is a word that means "oil,"  an ointment of sorts that has been poured upon the head of a certain person, officially so. Anointing oil! Here holy anointing oil! In ancient Israel Priests and Prophets and Kings were all "anointed" in this way. It's an emblem of God's authentication upon these men!

But there's more. "Anointed" is spelled "mashiyach." It's our word "Messiah!" In the New Testament it's the equivalent of the noun "Christ!" This is quite amazing.

Our Verse again: "There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed."

The noun "lamb" indicates no darkness! It's "niyr," undoubtedly related to "or," their word for "light."

The Davidic line of Kings could have been so blessed! Had they just obeyed and followed their God, the mighty God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob ... and David their closer forefather.

But ... ultimately ... the "Messiah" who is here described in the fullest sense ... is our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Who died on the Cross for our sins.

Who was buried and rose again three days later!

Who ascended to Heaven from whence He prays for us constantly!

Who is coming back to earth some day!

To be in every detail Israel's budding Horn, the Nation's ever-bright Lamp! The True Anointed One of God!

Amen.

                   --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

Psalm 132 today indeed became Messianic. It is full of doctrine. And yet interlaced with worship!

LESSON 19, VERSE 18, A DOUBLE PROMISE:

For a little over two weeks, nineteen days now, we've been focusing on Psalm 132. The longest of the "Songs of Degrees" in Scripture. Today we reach its final verse, number 18. The first Lesson was introductory.

And I still need a day or two more, just to summarize and try to place this great Psalm in context. It truly does so many things, doctrinally and typically and hermeneutically.

But for now: "His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish." Psalm 132:18, with God still being the Speaker.

Yes, God is talking but I believe He has a "triple" object in view! This Verse promises things to (1) King David, for sure. Also (2) David's descendants, his son (Solomon) and grandson (Rehoboam) and all the others to come. Then ultimately to (3) the coming Messiah, Who will also occupy the Throne of David! This is Jesus, Who according to Matthew 1:1 is "the Son of David, the Son of Abraham."

Wow!

"His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish."

And to this triune group of Kings is given here a "double" promise! Something to "hinder" his enemies and something to "help" his kingdom.

The noun "enemies" is "oyeb" and means anyone who is "hostile" to you. The word is translated "foes" 2 of its 282 times in the Bible. And the other 280 times? "Enemies" just like in our Text here.

"To clothe" a person employs the verb "labash," also used back in verses 9 and 16. Three times in our relatively short Psalm! God then is a "Clothier" apparently! It means "to dress" a person, also "to come upon" him! "To array" him, and surprisingly, 3 times in Scripture, "to arm" an individual!

"Shame," David's enemies' fate, is "bosheth" in Hebrew, at times meaning plain old "confusion." It can also mean "to bring delay" in reference to their wicked plans! "Disconcerted, disappointed!"

In some ways here the Lord may have saved the "best" for last!" "His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish." What a closing Verse, Psalm 132:18.

Now to its second half.

The "crown," obviously referring to royalty, is "nezer." Once in the Old Testament it means "hair." But in most places, including here, it means the diadem a King wears, indicating his position. "Consecration" also is a translation of "nezer." The "crown" sets a king apart from all others!

The "crown" here obviously refers to all the Kingdom, everything the King "touches!" Psalm 1 like, "whatsoever he does shall prosper!"

And the verb "flourish" is the rare "tzsutzs." Pronounced "tsoots." (Only found 9 times in all the Bible!) It means "to blossom!" Also "to shine, to sparkle!" Another says, "gleaming." This is the kind of shining that reflects upon others too! Its glory is encouraging to the subjects of the Monarch!

Peril for the "enemies", plural by the way!

And prosperity, a "flourishing" reign,  for the throne. For the whole kingdom, singular, no longer divided!

"His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish."

God's people (here especially Israel) do have a bright future!

Because of our dear Lord Jesus!

Amen!

                  --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 20, A SUMMARY:

One older writer mentions the fact that the Psalm itself "builds" as it progresses. That it reaches greater and greater heights or "degrees" of Truth! Many of the "Songs of Degrees" do this, in fact. Those being Psalms 120 through Psalm 134, also known as the Psalms of "Ascent."

The 132nd Psalm begins with "afflictions," verse 1. "LORD, remember David, and all his afflictions." But by mid-Psalm the man is wearing a "crown!" Sitting on a throne anyway! Verse 11, "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." That's "ascent," folks!

The Psalm develops, progresses from "Lord, remember David," to God's promising "I will make the horn of David to bud," verse 17. From "not forgetting" a person ... all the way to "blessing them abundantly!"

Yes, the Psalm "matures" for all its 18 verses, especially from "prayers asked" to "prayers answered!" Let me give you one example. Here's the petition, "Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy." (Verse 9) And now, the clear answer: "I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy." (Verse 16) Very clear, isn't it?

And to anyone wanting to do "extra" study in the Psalms of Degrees, notice all these 15 pretty little chapters one by one. And look for such "progression" of thought in each. I'm not saying that no exceptions occur, but many do exhibit this trait, a Holy Spirit directed "building" of revelation.

Then let me show you one more "idea" about Psalm 132. It mentions David, King David of Israel, 4 different times. Some Bible teachers believe that his Name, David's, is referenced in each "section" of the Psalm. Making him indeed the organizing thread of the whole meditation.

David's troubles and desires, verses 1-9.

David's sake, his very person, being a plea to God for blessing, verse 10.

God's covenant extended to David, as King of Israel, verses 11-16.

And finally, victory for David over all the enemies, verses 17-18. No more troubles, by the way!

Wow!

Lastly today, let me share with you a verse I just saw. It's quite parallel to our discussion here today. David is talking: "Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared." 1st Chronicles 22:14, though in "trouble," still faithfully "serving" God!

What an example!

                    --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 21, THE DAVIDIC COVENANT:

Portions of our Psalm focus on what's called the "Davidic Covenant." One standard commentary suggests that at least the last 8 verses are relevant to that Covenant. That would be Psalm 132:11-18.

And just what is the Davidic Covenant? A Promise, a set of promises God made David, concerning a bright future for Israel! Yet all being made for God's Honor and Glory.

Here's the Old Testament paragraph which most fully expresses this great set of promises from God to David. "Now therefore so shalt thou (Nathan the Prophet) say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel: And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth. Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house. And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He (Solomon) shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men. But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever." 2 Samuel 7:8-16

Now, students here today, at least read the foregoing paragraph. Don't "skip" it! Get the "feel," the "essence" of what is being said.

Now let's see how Psalm 132:11-18 "sits" alongside the original Covenant statement you just studied. "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 for ever: 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." Word for word!

Amazing!

And the Jews memorized and sang these words at least three times a year! As they "marched" upward to Zion, to Jerusalem, to the House of God! To worship and adore Almighty God!

So I may confidently say that the Psalms of Degrees are not only written for exhortation, for encouragement, but also for doctrinal instruction. For National wellbeing, for Israel's sake!

Rest assured. God is not "finished" with Israel yet! He has plans for His people, when they as a Nation have "believed" on His Name, have "trusted" Jesus as their Saviour!

I'm going to let, in closing, Amos re-tell this great story. "In that day will I (The Lord God) raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old. That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this." Amos 9:11-12

Amen!

             --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

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