◄ Psalm 132:5 ►
until I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob."
Study Bible
until I find
The phrase "until I find" suggests a sense of urgency and determination. In the Hebrew context, the word "find" (מָצָא, matsa) implies discovery or attainment after a diligent search. This reflects the psalmist's deep commitment to seeking a suitable place for God's presence. Historically, this can be linked to King David's desire to build a temple for the Lord, demonstrating a heart fully devoted to honoring God. It inspires believers today to pursue God's presence with the same fervor and dedication.

a place for the LORD
The "place for the LORD" refers to a physical location where God's presence would dwell among His people. In the Hebrew tradition, this was the Ark of the Covenant, which symbolized God's throne on earth. Theologically, it underscores the importance of creating sacred spaces in our lives where God is honored and worshiped. This phrase challenges Christians to consider how they can make their hearts and lives a dwelling place for the Lord, emphasizing the need for holiness and reverence.

a dwelling
The term "dwelling" (מִשְׁכָּן, mishkan) in Hebrew conveys the idea of a tabernacle or a temporary residence. It evokes the imagery of the Tabernacle in the wilderness, where God's presence was manifest among the Israelites. This highlights the transient nature of earthly structures compared to the eternal dwelling of God. For believers, it serves as a reminder that while physical places of worship are important, the ultimate dwelling of God is within His people, through the Holy Spirit.

for the Mighty One of Jacob
The title "Mighty One of Jacob" emphasizes God's strength and covenant relationship with the descendants of Jacob, also known as Israel. It reflects God's faithfulness and power in fulfilling His promises to the patriarchs. This title reassures believers of God's unchanging nature and His mighty acts throughout history. It encourages Christians to trust in God's strength and faithfulness in their own lives, knowing that He is the same God who was with Jacob and is with them today.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The psalm is traditionally attributed to King David, who desired to build a temple for the Lord, a permanent dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who is the focus of worship and the one for whom the dwelling place is sought.

3. The Mighty One of Jacob
A title for God, emphasizing His strength and covenant relationship with the descendants of Jacob (Israel).

4. Zion/Jerusalem
The city where David intended to establish the temple, making it the spiritual center of Israel.

5. The Ark of the Covenant
The sacred chest that represented God's presence with His people, which David sought to bring to a permanent resting place.
Teaching Points
Desire for God's Presence
David's longing to find a dwelling for the Lord reflects a deep desire for God's presence. Believers today should cultivate a similar longing for God's presence in their lives.

Commitment to God's Plans
David's commitment to building a temple, even though he was not the one to complete it, teaches us to be dedicated to God's plans, even if we do not see their fulfillment in our lifetime.

God's Sovereignty and Timing
While David had a plan, it was ultimately God who determined the timing and means of its fulfillment. Trusting in God's sovereignty and timing is crucial for believers.

Spiritual Dwelling
In the New Testament, believers are described as the temple of the Holy Spirit. This calls for a life that honors God, reflecting His presence within us.

Legacy of Faith
David's desire and preparation for the temple left a legacy that Solomon fulfilled. Our actions and faith can leave a lasting impact on future generations.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does David's desire to find a dwelling for the Lord challenge your own priorities in seeking God's presence in your life?

2. In what ways can you prepare your "temple" (your life) to be a suitable dwelling place for the Holy Spirit?

3. How does understanding God's sovereignty and timing help you trust Him with your unfulfilled desires or plans?

4. What legacy of faith are you building that could impact future generations, similar to David's preparations for the temple?

5. How can the concept of being a "spiritual dwelling" for God influence your daily actions and decisions?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Samuel 7
This chapter details God's covenant with David, where David expresses his desire to build a house for the Lord, but God promises to establish David's house instead.

1 Chronicles 22
David makes preparations for the temple, showing his commitment to finding a dwelling place for the Lord.

Acts 7:46-47
Stephen references David's desire to find a dwelling for God, which Solomon eventually built, highlighting the fulfillment of David's intentions.

Hebrews 8:1-2
Discusses the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, connecting the earthly temple to the heavenly reality.
Sermons
A Place for the LordS. Conway Psalm 132:5
Housing God's SymbolsR. Tuck Psalm 132:5
The Power of a Holy SoulS. Conway Psalm 132:1-5
A Prayer for the House of DavidT. W. Chambers, D. D.Psalm 132:1-18
Spiritual WorshipC. Short Psalm 132:1-18
The House of GodJ. Stalker, D. D.Psalm 132:1-18
The Song of the BuildersA. Maclaren, D. D.Psalm 132:1-18
People
David, Ephratah, Ephrath, Jacob, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Dwelling, Dwelling-place, Got, Habitation, Habitations, Jacob, Mighty, Resting-place, Tabernacle, Tabernacles, Till
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 132:5

     1205   God, titles of

Psalm 132:1-5

     5430   oaths, human

Psalm 132:2-5

     5741   vows

Psalm 132:4-5

     5537   sleeplessness

Library
An Examination of Post-Millennialism.
Post-millennialists teach that the only Kingdom over which Christ will ever reign is a spiritual and celestial one. They say that those Jews who expected their Messiah to set up a visible and material Kingdom on the earth were mistaken, that they erred in the interpretation of their prophetic Scriptures and cherished a carnal and unworthy hope. Let us examine this assertion in the light of God's Word. In Psalm 132:11 we read "The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; He will not turn from it: Of the …
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return

Vive Jesus. Preface.
THE Holy Ghost teaches that the lips of the heavenly Spouse, that is The Church, resemble scarlet and the dropping honeycomb, [15] to let every one know that all the doctrine which she announces consists in sacred love; of a more resplendent red than scarlet on account of the blood of the spouse whose love inflames her, sweeter than honey on account of the sweetness of the beloved who crowns her with delights. So this heavenly spouse when he thought good to begin the promulgation of his law, cast …
St. Francis de Sales—Treatise on the Love of God

Promises and Threatenings
'And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished the building of the house of the Lord, and the king's house, and all Solomon's desire which he was pleased to do. 2. That the Lord appeared to Solomon the second time, as He had appeared unto him at Gibeon. 3. And the Lord said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before Me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put My name there for ever; and Mine eyes and Mine heart shall be there perpetually, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Fulfilled Prophecies of the Bible Bespeak the Omniscience of Its Author
In Isaiah 41:21-23 we have what is probably the most remarkable challenge to be found in the Bible. "Produce your cause, saith the Lord; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob. Let them bring them forth, and show us what shall happen; let them show the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come. Show the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods." This Scripture has both a negative …
Arthur W. Pink—The Divine Inspiration of the Bible

Emmaus. Kiriath-Jearim.
"From Beth-horon to Emmaus it was hilly."--It was sixty furlongs distant from Jerusalem.--"To eight hundred only, dismissed the army, (Vespasian) gave a place, called Ammaus, for them to inhabit: it is sixty furlongs distant from Jerusalem." I inquire, whether this word hath the same etymology with Emmaus near Tiberias, which, from the 'warm baths,' was called Chammath. The Jews certainly do write this otherwise... "The family (say they) of Beth-Pegarim, and Beth Zipperia was out of Emmaus."--The …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Manner of Covenanting.
Previous to an examination of the manner of engaging in the exercise of Covenanting, the consideration of God's procedure towards his people while performing the service seems to claim regard. Of the manner in which the great Supreme as God acts, as well as of Himself, our knowledge is limited. Yet though even of the effects on creatures of His doings we know little, we have reason to rejoice that, in His word He has informed us, and in His providence illustrated by that word, he has given us to …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

The Promise in 2 Samuel, Chap. vii.
The Messianic prophecy, as we have seen, began at a time long anterior to that of David. Even in Genesis, we perceived [Pg 131] it, increasing more and more in distinctness. There is at first only the general promise that the seed of the woman should obtain the victory over the kingdom of the evil one;--then, that the salvation should come through the descendants of Shem;--then, from among them Abraham is marked out,--of his sons, Isaac,--from among his sons, Jacob,--and from among the twelve sons …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Nature of Covenanting.
A covenant is a mutual voluntary compact between two parties on given terms or conditions. It may be made between superiors and inferiors, or between equals. The sentiment that a covenant can be made only between parties respectively independent of one another is inconsistent with the testimony of Scripture. Parties to covenants in a great variety of relative circumstances, are there introduced. There, covenant relations among men are represented as obtaining not merely between nation and nation, …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Covenanting Confers Obligation.
As it has been shown that all duty, and that alone, ought to be vowed to God in covenant, it is manifest that what is lawfully engaged to in swearing by the name of God is enjoined in the moral law, and, because of the authority of that law, ought to be performed as a duty. But it is now to be proved that what is promised to God by vow or oath, ought to be performed also because of the act of Covenanting. The performance of that exercise is commanded, and the same law which enjoins that the duties …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Introduction. Chapter i. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers.
St. Hilary of Poitiers is one of the greatest, yet least studied, of the Fathers of the Western Church. He has suffered thus, partly from a certain obscurity in his style of writing, partly from the difficulty of the thoughts which he attempted to convey. But there are other reasons for the comparative neglect into which he has fallen. He learnt his theology, as we shall see, from Eastern authorities, and was not content to carry on and develop the traditional teaching of the West; and the disciple …
St. Hilary of Poitiers—The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers

Annunciation of the Birth of Jesus.
(at Nazareth, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke I. 26-38. ^c 26 Now in the sixth month [this is the passage from which we learn that John was six months older than Jesus] the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth [Luke alone tells us where Mary lived before the birth of Jesus. That Nazareth was an unimportant town is shown by the fact that it is mentioned nowhere in the Old Testament, nor in the Talmud, nor in Josephus, who mentions two hundred four towns and cities of Galilee. The …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Departure from Ireland. Death and Burial at Clairvaux.
[Sidenote: 1148, May (?)] 67. (30). Being asked once, in what place, if a choice were given him, he would prefer to spend his last day--for on this subject the brothers used to ask one another what place each would select for himself--he hesitated, and made no reply. But when they insisted, he said, "If I take my departure hence[821] I shall do so nowhere more gladly than whence I may rise together with our Apostle"[822]--he referred to St. Patrick; "but if it behoves me to make a pilgrimage, and …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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