We are coming close to the end of our study of the Psalms of Ascents and we have come to the longest in this series. By way of review, the psalmist cries out to God because of the persecution he faces from his enemies. The psalmist confesses the conflict within himself in Psalm 130. Then in Psalm 131, he praises God for the benefits which come with a relationship with God. In this next psalm, Psalm 132, the psalmist lifts up the king of Israel, specifically the king from the Davidic line.
Read Psalm 132 (NASB, NIV, KJV)
Here is my working outline. It is not a teaching outline yet but is more of an exegetical outline. To teach this, it really needs work to become a homiletical outline. If you have any teaching points which could be made from these main points, please do not hesitate to post your suggestions.
David and the Lord
I. Remember David (1-9)
A. David swore an oath to the Lord (2-5)
B. We heard about it/it was renown (6)
C. David fulfilled his oath (7-9)
??There is a request for...??
1. Worship (7)
2. Lord and ark came (8)
3. Priest are righteous (9a)
4. Saints have joy (9b)
II. Restore David (10-18)
A. The Lord swore an oath to David (10-12)
1. David's descendants on the throne (11)
2. Based in faithfulness ???? (12)
NOTE: (This last point needs to be researched and rethought in light of the unconditional Davidic> covenant. Nevertheless, in this psalm, there is this big "IF" which needs to be dealt with. )
B. The Lord chose Zion
1. His dwelling place forever (14)
2. Abundant provisions (16)
3. Priest and saints worship (16)
4. The king will rise (17-18)
I find this psalm the most fascinating of the 15 Psalms of Ascents. First, the structure is really interesting (I got the following structure analysis from a commentary but I do not remember which one. When I remember, I will post it.):
v.1 Davidic dynasty was a memory
v. 2 Intro to quote
vv. 3-5 quote
v. 6 Intro to quote
vv. 7-9 quote
v. 10 Davidic dynasty needs restoration
v. 11 Intro to quote
vv. 11-12 quote
v. 13 Intro to quote
vv. 14-18 quote
I think this is not a forces structure but one that leaps out of the text. I can see the priest standing on the second step to the top leading to the temple and singing as loud as he can asking God to remember and restore the Davidic kingdom. Even more striking is thinking about when Christ walked the earth and standing in listening distance of the priest, when the priest was actually singing about Him.
Second, I think the reciprocal oaths in this passage are interesting. David swore an oath to the Lord and the Lord in return swore an oath to David. It is on the basis of these reciprocal oaths the psalmist asks the Lord to remember David (v. 1) and then not to reject his anointed one (v. 10). In the psalmist's context, the anointed one was the Davidic king (note the distinction in verse 10: "For the sake of David your servant, do not reject your anointed one"). To the New Testament believer, one immediately thinks of THE Anointed One, Jesus Christ, who will always be on the throne (v. 11), who will be a light (v. 17), and whose crown will be resplendent (v. 18).
In short, this is an amazing psalm which shows that God responds to things humans' do. The psalmist shows that David wanted to please the Lord by making a place for God to dwell, so to speak (v. 5). In response to that, the Lord made an oath to David which said that one of David's descendants would be on the throne forever.
I think a song is sung in churches today which speaks of the Davidic King coming and ruling and being worshiped by those under His rule is "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name." There may be better songs but I love content of this hymn and I love the fact that there are three versions in the Baptist Hymnal. Click HERE for the Diadem version (my favorite, mainly due to the bass line), Click HERE for the Coronation version, and Click HERE for the Miles Lane version. The words are the same for all the version with the exception of how many "crown Him's" you want to sing and which part of the verse you repeat. The following verses are for the Diadem version.
All hail the power of Jesus’ Name!
Let angels prostrate fall, Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem,
And crown Him, crown Him, crown Him, crown Him,
and crown Him Lord of all.
Ye seed of Israel’s chosen race,
ye ransomed from the fall, ye ransomed from the fall;
Hail Him Who saves you by His grace,
And crown Him, crown Him, crown Him, crown Him,
and crown Him Lord of all.
Let ev' ry kindred, every tribe
On this terrestrial ball, On this terrestrial ball,
To Him all majesty ascribe,
And crown Him, crown Him, crown Him, crown Him,
and crown Him Lord of all.
O that, with yonder sacred throng,
we at His feet may fall, we at His feet may fall!
We'll join in the everlasting song,
And crown Him, crown Him, crown Him, crown Him,
and crown Him Lord of all.
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