Psalms 132

Lord, remember David, and all his afflictions:

1Lord, please remember David. Remember all the hard times he lived through.

2How he sware unto the LORD, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob;

2Remember the promise David made to the Lord. He gave his word to the mighty God of Jacob.

3Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed;

3David said, "I will not go into my house. I will not climb into my bed."

4I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids,

4"I will not let my eyes sleep. I will not even let them close for a rest."

5Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.

5"First I will find a place for the Lord. The mighty God of Jacob needs a home."

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

6We heard that the ark was near Ephratah. We found it out in the fields of Jaar.

NoteThe ark was a special gold-covered box. It showed the people that God was with them. Ephratah and Jaar are place names. The old English words "fields of the wood" are really the name Jaar.

7We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool.

7Let us go to the place where God lives. Let us bow down low at his feet.

8Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.

8Get up, Lord, and come to your resting place. Come with the ark that shows how strong you are.

9Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.

9May your priests, the men who lead worship, be covered in goodness. May your people shout for joy.

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

10You love David, who served you. So do not turn away from the king you chose.

Note"Anointed" means oil was poured on the king's head. It was a sign that God had picked him.

11The 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.

11The Lord made a firm promise to David. He will not take it back. He said, "I will put one of your own children on your throne."

12If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.

12"Your sons must keep my agreement and the rules I teach them. If they do, their sons will be kings after them, always."

13For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.

13The Lord picked Zion, the hill city of Jerusalem. He wanted it for his own home.

14This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.

14God says, "This is my resting place forever. I will live here. This is the place I wanted."

15I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread.

15"I will give this city plenty of food. I will give her poor people all the bread they need."

16I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.

16"I will wrap her priests in my saving help. Her people will shout out loud with joy."

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

17"Here I will make David's family strong again. I have set up a lamp for the king I chose."

NoteA "horn" was a picture of strength, like the horn of a strong animal. Saying it will "bud" means the family will grow strong again, like a plant.

18His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.

18"I will cover his enemies with shame. But the crown on his head will shine bright."