The Story of Psalm 132
We do not know who wrote this psalm. Maybe it was Solomon when he built God’s temple in Jerusalem. Or maybe Ezra or Nehemiah wrote it when they re-built the temple again about 450 years later. Perhaps someone whose name we do not know wrote it!

What Psalm 132 Means
Verses 1 - 5: These verses tell us that David wanted to bring the ark of God into Jerusalem. The ark was a special box that was very important in the life of Israel. After a war with the Philistines, the ark was captured and after some extraordinary events finally came to rest in a place called "Kiriath-Jearim". David had a lot of trouble when he brought it into Jerusalem.

Verses 6 - 10: tell us that the Jews found the ark in the country round Kiriath-Jearim (or Jaar). It was in a place called Ephratah. After they brought the ark into Jerusalem, they said the words in verses 7-10. "The place where you can rest" is the house of God.

Verses 11 - 18: tell us about God’s promises. Christians believe that they happened when Jesus came to earth. "Messiah" is the *Hebrew word for "Christ". The Jews spoke the Hebrew language and wrote the psalms in Hebrew. "Messiah" means "*anointed", or "oil poured on". Look at the notes on Psalm 133 in this set of psalms. In verse 11, "the fruit of your body" means "your children". The light of the messiah will never go out because Jesus will always be the Light of the World.

Application
The ark was a box or chest made from acacia wood overlaid with gold which served as the meeting place of the LORD and Israel. From the place between the two cherubim God promised to speak to Moses. The ark acts as a symbol of God’s presence to Israel.

In the New Testament the presence of God is found in Christ. Just as the mercy seat (the cover of the ark) was Israel’s point of contact with God so Christ is our point of contact with God. Only in Jesus will God meet with us, He is our mercy seat, our covering before God.

Something to do
1. Count God’s promises in Psalm 132:11-18.
2. What was in the ark of God? Look for the answer is in Hebrews 9:4.
3. Read about how the ark came to Ja’ar (see Psalm 132:6) in 1 Samuel chapters 6 & 7.
4. Compare John 1:14 “lived, dwelt, tabernacled among us”. God “pitched his tent”
among us in Christ. God is “present” in Christ. Check also “Christ in you” (Col 2: 27).