Psalm Devotional
The Lord Ascends Into Zion
Written by Kit Swartz. This devotional was first published in the November 2016 issue of The Reformed Presbyterian Witness.
The Psalms of Ascent (120–134) were likely used by the Israelites as they came to Jerusalem for the three annual feasts after their return from exile (Ex. 23:14-17; see Ps. 126). In Psalm 132, the theme of ascending to Jerusalem dominates (vv. 7-8; see Ps. 121:1, 123:1).
The Psalmist’s Request (vv. 1-10)
The psalmist asks the Lord to remember David’s painful labors in getting the ark into Jerusalem (v. 1, affliction), which included the death of Uzzah (see 1 Chron. 13). David did this to fulfill his solemn commitment to the Lord that he would not rest until this was accomplished (vv. 2-5, swore). “The Mighty One of Jacob” (vv. 2, 5) sets David’s action as a climax in the continuum of God’s redemptive relationship with Israel since the patriarchs (see Gen. 49:24, 17:1). The Lord has finally settled on His throne in His city (vv. 6-9; Deut. 12:5).
The next scene (vv. 6-10) imagines those singing the Psalms of Ascent with David as he took the ark from the remote and obscure region where it was neglected for decades (v. 6, Ephratha, Jaar; i.e. Kiriath-Jearim; see 1 Chron.13:5; 15–16). With David, they look forward to the Lord’s ark (v. 7, throne) being set in its proper place (see Neh. 1:9; Isa. 66:1). They recall the Lord’s movement through the wilderness (v. 8; see Num. 10:35) and anticipate His final movement into Solomon’s temple (v. 8; see 2 Chron. 6:41). Therefore they call on the Lord to take His seat on His throne in His city with all the attendants that He appointed to accompany Him (v. 9, priests and godly ones [Levites]; see 2 Chron. 5:7-12).
The psalmist concludes this section as he began, putting his and the people’s hope in David and David’s righteousness in preparing a place for the Lord to dwell (vv. 1, 10).
The Lord’s Reply (vv. 11-18)
Continuing with the outline of the historical events, the psalmist shows how the Lord superseded David’s oath with His own oath (vv. 2, 11; see 1 Chron. 17). The Lord declined David’s sworn commitment to build Him a temple and, instead, made an unconditional oath (v. 11, truth) to build a dynasty for David (see 1 Chron. 17:10-15).
God demonstrated the certainty of this promise by establishing His own throne in Zion (vv. 13-14), pouring out His blessing there as He had on the house of Obed-Edom (vv. 15-16; see 1 Chron. 13:14). This was in direct answer to the petition of verse 9 (v. 16; 1 John 5:14-15). God established His throne as the foundation of David’s throne (vv. 13, 17) and, consequently, the source of its power (v. 17, horn) and perpetuity (v. 17, lamp; see 1 Kings 11:36). In fact, the Lord’s throne is so fully identified with David’s throne that Solomon is spoken of as sitting on the Lord’s throne! (vv. 11-18; see 1 Chron. 17:14, 28:5, 29:22-23; 2 Chron. 9:8). Thus, to be against David and his throne is to be an enemy of the Lord and His throne (v. 18; see Matt. 12:30).
Lessons
Jesus is the Anointed (vv. 10, 17, Messiah, Christ) Son of David who sits on David’s eternal throne in fulfillment of the Lord’s promise (vv. 11-12; see Luke 1:32). The astounding identification of the Lord’s throne with David’s throne is fully realized by Jesus Christ as He sits at the right hand of God (v. 11; Acts 2:30, 33) in the midst of the throne room (Rev. 3:21, 5:6, 7:17). The picture seems to be that the Lord’s throne is a bench upon which the Father and Son sit together with the Spirit close at hand (Rev. 1:4-5, 4:5) rather than two separate chairs! The point is that the Lord rules and blesses all things through Jesus (see Eph. 1:20-23) as He ruled and blessed Israel through David (vv. 10-18; see 1 Chron. 16:1-3).
There was no son of David ruling on the Lord’s throne in Jerusalem when the returned exiles sang the Psalms of Ascent as they went up for the feasts (see Ps. 89:38-51). Therefore, the verbal confirmation contained in the Lord’s oath to David was a great reminder as they sang this psalm. Since they had no visual confirmation, they encouraged themselves in the verbal confirmation of the Lord’s promise to David.
And so, as we see little visible encouragement for our hope of the present reign and future coming of Jesus, we also must encourage ourselves with the certainty of both of these things in the absolutely certain word of the Lord (v. 11; see Rom. 4:18-21; 8:24-25; 2 Pet. 3:5-7). “Though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of our souls” (1 Pet. 1:8-9).
