What does Psalm 132:16 mean?
ESV: Her priests I will clothe with salvation, and her saints will shout for joy.
NIV: I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her faithful people will ever sing for joy.
NASB: I will also clothe her priests with salvation, And her godly ones will sing aloud for joy.
CSB: I will clothe its priests with salvation, and its faithful people will shout for joy.
NLT: I will clothe its priests with godliness; its faithful servants will sing for joy.
KJV: I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
NKJV: I will also clothe her priests with salvation, And her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
Verse Commentary:
Verse Context:
Psalm 132:11–18 recalls the Lord's promises to David (2 Samuel 7:12). These include a guarantee that David's descendants would occupy the throne of Israel (Psalm 89:3–4). Once the ark was placed in the temple (1 Kings 8:1), that became identified as God's "house" (1 Kings 6:37; 9:10). Zion took on use as a second name for Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:7; 2 Kings 9:28; Isaiah 2:3). The psalm anticipates the "anointed one" (Daniel 9:25) who would bring salvation (Luke 1:69).
Chapter Summary:
David vowed to create a permanent home for the Lord. This involved the ark of the covenant, which was eventually placed in Solomon's temple (1 Kings 8:1). God vowed that David's descendants would be the kings of Israel. The Lord also chose Jerusalem—sometimes referred to as "Zion"—as the symbolic seat of His power. From David's line, the Lord would produce an "anointed one" (Daniel 9:25–26), also called "Messiah."
Chapter Context:
When Israel was taken into exile, everything associated with worship of the Lord was destroyed or confiscated (2 Chronicles 36:17–20). This psalm speaks of the ark (Exodus 25:10–22) and God's presence near it, so it was most likely written before then. This is one of the songs "of ascents" (Psalms 120—134) which were used during festival times (Deuteronomy 16:16). Verses 8–10 and 2 Chronicles 6:41–42 suggest this song may have been written to celebrate Solomon's dedication of the temple.
Book Summary:
The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.
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