God Speaks
132 A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.
1 Lord, remember David
and all that he suffered.
2 He made a solemn promise to the Lord.
He vowed to the Mighty One of Israel,
3 “I will not go home;
I will not let myself rest.
4 I will not let my eyes sleep
nor close my eyelids in slumber
5 until I find a place to build a house for the Lord,
a sanctuary for the Mighty One of Israel.”
6 We heard that the Ark was in Ephrathah;
then we found it in the distant countryside of Jaar.
7 Let us go to the sanctuary of the Lord;
let us worship at the footstool of his throne.
8 Arise, O Lord, and enter your resting place,
along with the Ark, the symbol of your power.
9 May your priests be clothed in godliness;
may your loyal servants sing for joy.
10 For the sake of your servant David,
do not reject the king you have anointed.
11 The Lord swore an oath to David
with a promise he will never take back:
“I will place one of your descendants
on your throne.
12 If your descendants obey the terms of my covenant
and the laws that I teach them,
then your royal line
will continue forever and ever.”
13 For the Lord has chosen Jerusalem;
he has desired it for his home.
14 “This is my resting place forever,” he said.
“I will live here, for this is the home I desired.
15 I will bless this city and make it prosperous;
I will satisfy its poor with food.
16 I will clothe its priests with godliness;
its faithful servants will sing for joy.
17 Here I will increase the power of David;
my anointed one will be a light for my people.
18 I will clothe his enemies with shame,
but he will be a glorious king.”
133 A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of David.
1 How wonderful and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in harmony!
2 For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil
that was poured over Aaron’s head,
that ran down his beard
and onto the border of his robe.
3 Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon
that falls on the mountains of Zion.
And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing,
even life everlasting.
Source: New Living Translation: BibleGateway.com
We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding Psalms 132 and 133:
1. What does this psalm tell me about God?
2. What does this psalm tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
Psalm 132
1. God does not dwell in temples or special buildings made by human beings. [But through the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross, His resurrection and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we can be living, breathing sanctuaries for the LORD God.]
2. People who turn to the LORD God in faith will be blessed, prosperous (of soul), satisfied with more than food, and clothed with godliness, faithfulness, and joy.
Psalm 133
1. Where God dwells people live together in unity as brothers.
2. People are meant to live in harmony and unity with each other and with the LORD.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Psalms 132 and 133?
I acknowledge, LORD God, that You do not dwell in special buildings made by human beings. Through faith in the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross, His resurrection, and the work of the Holy Spirit in my life, I can be a living, breathing sanctuary for You, LORD God. May increasing numbers of people turn to You in faith and be blessed, prosperous (of soul), satisfied with more than food, and clothed with godliness, faithfulness, and joy. LORD God, as You dwell in and with Your people, we will live in harmony and unity with each other and with You. May it be so, and may it be soon. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Psalms 132 and 133?
- I will diligently seek out a place where I can worship the LORD alone.
- I will diligently seek out a place where I can worship the LORD with others.
- I will listen quietly to hear how the LORD wants to be worshipped and then follow His plan.
- I will make an effort to reconcile with a family member.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.