Psalms 132:1-2

Psalm 132 ¹ 

A song of ascents. ² 

132:1 O Lord, for David’s sake remember

all his strenuous effort, ³ 

132:2 and how he made a vow to the Lord,

and swore an oath to the powerful ruler of Jacob. ⁴ 

[132:1]  ¹ sn Psalm 132. The psalmist reminds God of David’s devotion and of his promises concerning David’s dynasty and Zion.

[132:1]  ² sn The precise significance of this title, which appears in Pss 120-134, is unclear. Perhaps worshipers recited these psalms when they ascended the road to Jerusalem to celebrate annual religious festivals. For a discussion of their background see L. C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 (WBC), 219-21.

[132:1]  ³ tn Heb “all his affliction.” This may refer to David’s strenuous and tireless efforts to make provision for the building of the temple (see 1 Chr 22:14). Some prefer to revocalize the text as עַנַוָתוֹ (’anavato, “his humility”).

[132:2]  ⁴ tn Heb “the powerful [one] of Jacob.”