Psalm 132:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: "I will not enter my house or get into my bed,

NIV: "I will not enter my house or go to my bed,

NASB: 'I certainly will not enter my house, Nor lie on my bed;

CSB: "I will not enter my house or get into my bed,

NLT: 'I will not go home; I will not let myself rest.

KJV: Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed;

NKJV: “Surely I will not go into the chamber of my house, Or go up to the comfort of my bed;

Psalm 132:1–5 calls for remembrance of David's struggles (1 Samuel 17:48–49; 19:1–2; 2 Samuel 15:13–14). Most importantly, here, are his efforts to create a permanent house for God. This is a reference to the ark of the covenant (Exodus 25:10–22; 2 Samuel 6:1–4). God denied David's request to make the building, saying that He would make David a house, specifically the kingdom of the Messiah. However, God also said that David's son would build a dwelling, and David made preparations for it (2 Samuel 7:5–16). Scripture does not record these exact words from David, but he was enthusiastic about the project (1 Chronicles 22:14; 29:3–5). David's son, Solomon, constructed it (1 Chronicles 22:8–10; 1 Kings 5:3–5).

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."

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.

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.

Accessed 6/16/2025 4:46:59 AM