132:1 This verse expresses the theme of the psalm. It is a cry to God to remember David's afflictions that he experienced concerning his desire to glorify God by finding a suitable place for the ark to dwell.
132:2-5 Specifically David underwent personal discomfort because he wanted to build a temple for Yahweh (2 Sam. 7). This led him to make great personal sacrifices to prepare for its construction even though the Lord did not permit him to build the building himself. His desire to erect a magnificent temple was a desire to glorify God. In the ancient Near East people associated the splendor of a temple with the greatness of the deity it honored. Therefore David wanted to build the most glorious temple he could. David's desire to build God a house resulted in God promising to build David a house or dynasty. The psalmist's prayer that God would remember David then involved His remembering and fulfilling His promises to David.
