132:6-8 The antecedent of "it"(v. 6) is the ark (v. 8). Ephrathah (Ephratah) is an old name for the area around Bethlehem (Gen. 35:16, 19; 48:7). Jaar evidently refers to Kiriath-jearim, the town where the ark rested for 20 years after the Philistines returned it (1 Sam. 7:1-2). Perhaps there was a rumor that the ark was somewhere near Bethlehem, but Israel's leaders found it in Kiriath-jearim that lay about 10 miles northwest of Bethlehem. From there David brought the ark into Jerusalem (2 Sam. 6) 202
The Israelite pilgrims who sang this psalm resolved to go to worship God on Mt. Zion in Jerusalem where the ark stood (v. 7). That was where God dwelt in a localized way among His people. It was His earthly throne. They called on God to meet with them there. They spoke of the ark of God's strength because it represented God's strength in Israel's previous battles.
132:9-10 The Israelites also called on God to establish a righteous group of priests among them and to enable the godly in Israel to rejoice because of His blessings. They asked God to remember His promises to David, His anointed king. In view of these requests this psalm may date from the return from exile (cf. v. 16; Zech. 3:1-7).
