Psalms 132

Mighty God of Jacob

Mighty One of Jacob — the strong protector of Jacob's house, a title of Jehovah

How he sware unto the LORD, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob; Psalms 132:2–5

David vows to prepare a dwelling for Jehovah, called the Mighty God of Jacob. Isaiah uses the same title for Israel's Redeemer.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

• the same title in Genesis 49:24 — Jacob's blessing names 'the mighty God of Jacob' alongside 'the shepherd, the stone of Israel.'
• the same title in Isaiah 49:26 — 'I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.'

Ephratah (Bethlehem)

Ephratah — 'fruitful', the old name of Bethlehem

Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood. Psalms 132:6

Ephratah is the ancient name of Bethlehem, David's town, where the Messiah would be born (Micah 5:2). In the psalm it names the region where the ark was sought, so the tie to Christ is only a soft echo.

Jehovah (the LORD)

Jehovah — the premortal Jesus Christ, the covenant God of Israel

We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool. Psalms 132:7–9

Jehovah is invited to enter His resting place with the ark, the throne of His presence among Israel. Solomon repeated these words when he dedicated the temple.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

• a parallel account in 2 Chronicles 6:41-42 — Solomon's dedicatory prayer repeats 'Arise, O LORD God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength... turn not away the face of thine anointed.'

Thine Anointed

Anointed — Hebrew mashiach, Messiah; Greek Christos, Christ

For thy servant David’s sake turn not away the face of thine anointed. Psalms 132:10

In David's day 'thine anointed' was the anointed king of David's line, but the Hebrew word is 'Messiah.' The anointed king of David's house points to Jesus, the Anointed One.

• a parallel account in 2 Chronicles 6:42 — Solomon prays the same line at the temple dedication.

Son of David on David's throne

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. Psalms 132:11–12

The LORD swears an unbreakable oath that David's descendant will sit on his throne forever. Peter taught on the day of Pentecost that this oath was about Christ, raised up to sit on David's throne.

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quoted by Acts 2:30 — Peter: 'God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne.'
• alludes to 2 Samuel 7:12-13 — The Davidic covenant: 'I will set up thy seed after thee... I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.'
• fulfilled by Luke 1:32-33 — Gabriel: 'the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David... of his kingdom there shall be no end.'

Jehovah (the LORD)

Jehovah — the premortal Jesus Christ, the covenant God of Israel

For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. Psalms 132:13–16

Jehovah Himself speaks, choosing Zion as His dwelling forever and promising to clothe her priests with salvation.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

Horn of David / Lamp for Mine Anointed

Horn — strength and power; to 'bud' is to sprout like a branch

There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed. Psalms 132:17–18

God promises to make a 'horn' — a mighty deliverer — sprout from David's line, with a lamp and a flourishing crown for His Anointed. Zacharias praised God for raising up this horn of salvation in David's house as the Messiah drew near.

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alluded to by Luke 1:69 — Zacharias: God 'hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David.'