Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 132:13
For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired [it] for his habitation.
13. For the Lord hath chosen Zion ] The permanence of the Davidic kingdom is based upon the Divine choice of Zion. Here, as in Psa 78:67 ff., the choice of Zion is regarded as antecedent to the choice of David. To the community of the Restoration this thought must have been a comfort: they felt that Jehovah had returned to dwell in Zion, and this was a pledge to them that He would in some way fulfil His promises to the house of David. Cp. Zec 2:12.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
For the Lord hath chosen Zion – He has selected it as the place where he will abide; the seat of his religion. This is a new plea or argument, and shows that the psalm had reference to Zion or Jerusalem, as then in danger, or as having been in danger. See the notes at Psa 48:1-2.
He hath desired it for his habitation – A place where to abide. Its had selected this as the permanent place of his worship.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 132:13-16
For the Lord hath chosen Zion.
Gods choice of Zion
He giveth a reason for the absolute promise of Christs coming to rule the spiritual kingdom of Israel, or the Church, because the Lord had chosen Zion in the type, and the universal Church under the figure, to be His chosen Temple and habitation, wherein He delighted. Whence learn–
1. Where God will settle His sanctuary, there tie will settle His kingdom also: Zion must not want a king; for the reason here, why the Lord will with an oath set up one who shall be the fruit of Davids body upon the throne, is because He hath chosen Zion.
2. The Lords pitching upon any place to dwell in, or persons to dwell among, cometh not of the worthiness of the place or persons, but from Gods good pleasure alone.
3. The Lord resteth in His love towards His Church, accepting the persons, prayers, and service of His chosen people; lie smelleth a sweet savour in Christ here, and His love maketh His seat among His people steadfast.
4. What is promised under typical figures is really everlasting, not in regard of the figure, but in regard of the signification: For this is my rest for ever, is true only in respect of the Church, represented by Zion.
5. No reason is to be craved for Gods everlasting good will to any person or incorporation; His pleasure may suffice for a cause. (D. Dickson.)
Zion and her provision
I. Gods choice of His Zion.
1. The sovereignty of God, which is exercised towards His creatures.
2. This choice is a choice of love (Eph 2:4-5; Jer 31:3).
II. The purposes for which God has chosen Zion. God desires Zion–
1. For His habitation.
2. For His rest. Where He takes up His abode, it is for ever.
III. The blessings promised. In 1Jn 2:12-13, you have the family of God set forth from infancy to manhood; from weakness itself, to perfect strength; from sins dominion and degradation, to salvations honours and glories; from the captivity of Satan, to a full victory over him; from the love, power, and guilt of sin, to the enjoyment of all the Gospel blessings, promises, and treasures in Christ. (C. Parvey.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 13. The Lord hath chosen Zion] Therefore neither Shiloh nor Kirjath-jearim is the place of his rest.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Zion; not strictly, but largely taken; either for the whole mountain, whereof Zion and Moriah were two parts or tops; or for Jerusalem, which was in a great part built upon Mount Zion, whence it is oft called Zion, as hath been noted again and again. For he speaks here of that place which he chose to be his rest for ever, as it follows, Psa 132:14, which unquestionably was the temple; whence also it appears that this Psalm was not written by David, nor before the building of the temple.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
13. is made on the ground ofGod’s choice of Zion (here used for Jerusalem) as His dwelling,inasmuch as the prosperity of the kingdom was connected with that ofthe Church (Psa 122:8; Psa 122:9).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
For the Lord hath chosen Zion,…. Not only to build upon it the temple in a literal sense, and for the place of his worship; but also for the seat of his majesty, and over which he has set his Son as King; and all this from the love he bears to Zion, which, in a figurative and spiritual sense, is his church; whom he has chosen to privileges, to grace and glory, and for his service and honour; see
Ps 78:67;
he hath desired [it] for his habitation; heaven is the habitation of his holiness and glory; Christ is his dwelling place, in whom all the fulness of the Godhead dwells bodily: yet his desire is to his church and people; his heart is set upon them, and upon their salvation; his delight is in them, and he takes pleasure in walking with them, and dwelling among them; they being built up an habitation for God through the Spirit; see Ps 68:16.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
13. Seeing that Jehovah has chosen Zion. By coupling the kingdom with the priesthood and sanctuary service, he declares it still more emphatically to have been of divine and not human appointment. The connection is not to be overlooked, on another account. The true strength and stability of that kingdom were in Christ, and Christ’s kingdom is inseparable from his priesthood. This may explain why mention is made of Zion being chosen. God decreed nothing in relation to the kingdom, but what had a certain connection with the sanctuary, the more perfectly to prefigure the Mediator who was to come, and who was both priest and king, after the order of Melchizedek. The kingdom and tabernacle were, therefore, closely allied. Notice is taken of the reason upon which the choice proceeded that mount Zion was not chosen for any excellency belonging to it, as we have seen, (Psa 68:16,) but because such was the will of God. His good pleasure is specified in contrast with any merit in the place itself. This is another proof of what we have already stated that the covenant made by God with David proceeded from his mere goodness.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(13) Zion.The dynasty of David and the location of the sanctuary at Zion are intimately associated, as in Psa. 78:67-68. (Comp. Psa. 122:4-5.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
13. Zion On “Zion” as the chosen place for Jehovah’s dwelling and ark, see on Psa 78:9-10; Psa 78:60-69
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
DISCOURSE: 726
ZION A TYPE OF THE CHURCH
Psa 132:13-16. 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.
THE efficacy of fervent prayer is strongly marked in the Holy Scriptures: there is scarcely a saint, respecting whom any information is given us, who may not be adduced as an example of Gods readiness to answer prayer. Solomon, if, as some suppose, he was the author of this Psalm, records the answer which God vouchsafed to the supplications he had offered at the dedication of his temple: and it is worthy of observation, that the very language of his petition was made the vehicle of Gods promise [Note: Compare ver. 810 and 2Ch 6:41-42. with the text and the verse following it.].
In considering these words we shall notice,
I.
Gods love to his Church
Mount Zion must be numbered among the most distinguished types, not only because its very name is given to the Church of Christ, but because Gods love to his Church was represented to the world by the favours conferred on that chosen hill. As formerly on Mount Zion, so now in the Christian Church, God,
1.
Dispenses his ordinances
[The Jews were not suffered to present their offerings in any other place: there alone were the sacrifices to be slain; and there alone were the means of reconciliation with God to be exhibited before their eyes. Thus in the Church of Christ, and in that only, have we the way of life and salvation fully opened. Among the heathen world we behold no traces of that path marked out for us in the Gospel: but wherever God has called a people to the knowledge of his Son, and appointed over them a faithful shepherd, there his word is preached with power; there the atoning blood of Jesus flows; the administration of the sacraments is not there an empty ceremony, but a lively and impressive exhibition of the doctrines of grace,]
2.
Vouchsafes his presence
[When the ark, which had long abode in a moveable tabernacle at Shiloh, was brought to Zion, its residence was fixed; and the Deity, whom it represented, called that place his rest. From that time his visible glory was revealed there: he dwelt between the cherubims; and was accessible to all through the blood of the sacrifices, and the mediation of the high-priest. In the Church also is his glory seen, even the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Whatever may be known of him in the works of creation and providence is darkness itself, in comparison of that light which shines in his Gospel. To those, who seek his face, he manifests himself, as he does not unto the world; and often constrains them to cry out with astonishment, How great is his goodness! how great is his beauty!]
3.
Communicates his blessings
[When the high-priest had finished his work within the vail, he came forth to bless the people; and his word was confirmed by God to all penitent and believing worshippers. So now in his Church does God bless his people with all spiritual blessings. He imparts pardon to the guilty, strength to the weak, consolation to the troubled: whatever any stand in need of, they are sure to obtain it, if they come to him in his appointed way [Note: Psa 48:2-3.]. This thousands can attest; this thousands yet unborn shall, in every succeeding age, experience.]
But his love to the Church will yet further appear by considering,
II.
The promises made to her
These, as has been observed, precisely accord with the petitions offered. In them God assures his Church that he will bestow abundant blessings,
1.
On the ordinances
[There may be in the text some reference to the, assembling of all the males three times a year at Jerusalem, when it was probable that the conflux of such multitudes to one place might produce a scarcity of provisions, and thereby distress the poor. This effect God promises to counteract by giving them abundant crops. But certainly we must understand this as relating also to spiritual food: and how delightfully is it verified under the ministration of the Gospel! The word, dispensed in one short hour, has, like the bread multiplied by our Lord, been food for thousands; and though simple, and unadorned, has, like the pulse given to Daniel and his companions, been more nutritious than all the dainties sent from the monarchs table [Note: Dan 1:12-13.].]
2.
On those who administer the ordinances
[The priests who served in the temple, were clad with linen, to denote the purity that was expected of them. But they, who minister under the Gospel, provided they walk worthy of their high and holy office, shall be clothed with salvation itself: in watering others, they themselves shall be watered; and in saving others, they themselves shall be saved. Nor is this a blessing to themselves alone; for, in proportion as ignorant and ungodly ministers are a curse to those over whom they are placed, the superintendence of pious, intelligent, and faithful ministers must be esteemed a blessing.]
3.
On those who attend the ordinances
[The request made by Solomon was, that the saints might shout for joy: and God tells him that they shall shout aloud for joy: thus does God on numberless occasions give us more than we either asked or thought. A faithful dispensation of the ordinances is a source of joy to many souls. The saints especially, who receive the truth in the love of it, are often enabled by it to rejoice with joy unspeakable and glorified. And this is a blessing, not to themselves only, but to the whole Church. By this they adorn, and recommend the Gospel; and are stimulated to diffuse the savour of it all around them.]
Infer
1.
How little reason have mere formal worshippers to think that they belong to the Church of God!
[The enjoyment of these promises is inconsistent with habitual formality: either therefore God falsifies his word (which it were the vilest blasphemy to imagine), or the formalist is yet an alien from the commonwealth of Israel.]
2.
How impotent are all attempts to destroy the Church [Note: Psa 125:1; Psa 48:12-13; Psa 46:5 and Mat 16:18.]!
3.
How strong is the Christians obligation to serve and honour God!
[Does God so delight in his Church as to make it his rest, and to load it with so many benefits? Surely every member of it should testify his gratitude by a cheerful and unreserved obedience.]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 132:13 For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired [it] for his habitation.
Ver. 13. For the Lord hath chosen Zion ] He chose it for his love; and loved it for his choice.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Psa 132:13-18
13For the Lord has chosen Zion;
He has desired it for His habitation.
14This is My resting place forever;
Here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
15I will abundantly bless her provision;
I will satisfy her needy with bread.
16Her priests also I will clothe with salvation,
And her godly ones will sing aloud for joy.
17There I will cause the horn of David to spring forth;
I have prepared a lamp for Mine anointed.
18His enemies I will clothe with shame,
But upon himself his crown shall shine.
Psa 132:13-18 This strophe describes the things YHWH has done (Psa 132:13-14) and will do (Psa 132:15-18).
1. He has chosen Zion (see Special Topic: Zion), Psa 132:13-14
2. He will abundantly bless (emphatic infinitive absolute and imperfect verb of the same root, BDB 138, KB 159), Psa 132:15 a
3. He will provide food, Psa 132:15 b
4. the temple priests will be godly people, Psa 132:16 (cf. 1Ch 6:41)
5. the temple worshipers (cf. Psa 4:3 or Levites) will sing aloud for joy (emphatic infinitive absolute and imperfect verb of the same root, BDB 943, KB 1247), Psa 132:16 (cf. 1Ch 6:41)
6. He will establish the dynasty of David in Jerusalem, Psa 132:17
7. He will defeat Israel’s enemies, Psa 132:18
Psa 132:16 Because of the parallels of this strophe, probably priests (or Levites) are addressed in both lines of this verse.
Psa 132:17 the horn of David The horn is a Hebrew idiom of power and pre-immanence (cf. Luk 1:69).
to spring forth This verb (BDB 855, KB 1033, Hiphil imperfect) may be related to the imagery of the special Davidic King called The Branch. See:
1. SPECIAL TOPIC: JESUS THE NAZARENE
2. full note at Isa 11:1 online
3. NIDOTTE, vol. 3, p. 75
The root for crown is , which could denote
1. a crown (noun, BDB 634)
2. to consecrate (verb, BDB 634)
3. Branch (a title of the Messiah)
a lamp for Mine anointed This is a specific usage of the light imagery that refers, not to revelation (i.e., Psa 18:28; Psa 119:105; Pro 6:23) but to a Davidic descendant on the throne of Israel (cf. 1Ki 11:36; 1Ki 15:4; 2Ki 8:19; 2Ch 21:7). In 2Sa 21:17 it refers to David himself.
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
Zion. See App-68.
His habitation = His dwelling. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia (App-6).
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
the Lord: Psa 76:1, Psa 76:2, Psa 78:68, Psa 78:69, Isa 14:32, Heb 12:22
he hath desired: Psa 48:1-3, Psa 68:16, Psa 87:2
Reciprocal: Exo 20:24 – in all places Lev 26:11 – I will Deu 12:5 – habitation Jos 9:27 – in the place 2Sa 5:7 – Zion 1Ki 6:13 – I will dwell 1Ki 8:13 – a settled 1Ki 8:16 – I chose 1Ki 8:44 – toward the city 1Ki 9:3 – mine eyes 1Ki 11:13 – for Jerusalem’s 1Ki 14:21 – the city 2Ki 21:4 – In Jerusalem 2Ki 21:7 – In this house 1Ch 11:5 – the castle 1Ch 22:1 – This is the house 1Ch 23:25 – that they may dwell in Jerusalem 2Ch 5:2 – which is Zion 2Ch 6:2 – I have built 2Ch 6:6 – But I have chosen Jerusalem 2Ch 7:12 – have chosen 2Ch 30:8 – which he hath 2Ch 32:19 – the God 2Ch 33:7 – God had said Ezr 6:12 – caused Psa 2:6 – my Psa 3:4 – his Psa 9:11 – which Psa 24:3 – the hill Psa 43:3 – thy holy Psa 68:18 – that Psa 74:2 – this mount Psa 122:4 – Whither Psa 125:1 – be as mount Psa 135:21 – which dwelleth Isa 18:4 – I will Isa 25:10 – in this Isa 65:11 – my holy Jer 17:25 – and this Lam 1:6 – all Eze 23:4 – Aholibah Eze 35:10 – whereas Hab 2:20 – the Lord Hag 1:8 – and I will take Zec 1:17 – choose Mat 23:21 – and by Joh 4:20 – and ye Rev 14:1 – mount
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 132:13-16. For the Lord hath chosen Zion Taken either for the whole mountain, whereof Zion and Moriah were two parts, or for Jerusalem, which was, in a great part, built upon mount Zion, whence it is often called Zion, as has been frequently observed. This is my rest for ever Not my residence only for a short time, as Shiloh was; here will I dwell Here will I statedly manifest the tokens of my presence. Zion must be here considered as a type of the gospel church, which is called mount Zion, Heb 12:18. And in it, what is here said of Zion has its full accomplishment. Zion was long since ploughed as a field, but the church of Christ is still, and always will be, the house of the living God, 1Ti 3:15. It is his rest for ever and shall be blessed with his presence, even to the end of the world. I will abundantly bless her provision I will plentifully provide for Jerusalem, and all that live in her, or resort to her for worship: nor shall they seek my face in vain. I will satisfy her poor with bread I will make such liberal provision for her by fruitful years, that the poorest person there shall be satisfied with food: see note on 2Ch 7:13-14. I will also, &c. To the blessings of life I will add those pertaining to godliness; clothe her priests with salvation With my saving graces and blessings, with righteousness, as requested Psa 132:9; and, moreover, with that protection and benediction, which, by my promise, belongs to righteous persons. Her saints shall shout aloud for joy The delight God takes in his church, the continuance of his presence with it, and with his ministers, and their being clothed with graces and virtues, wisdom and holiness, are the comfort and joy of all its members.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
God also promised to make Zion His special habitation (2Ch 6:6; 2Ch 6:34-39). He said He would bless it by providing food for the poor, salvation for the priests (cf. Psa 132:9), and joy for the godly.