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Wisdom & Poetry · WORLD ENGLISH BIBLE

Psalm 132

Psalm 132 is read especially through the theme of kingship, within Book V (Psalms 107–150). Its language invites attentive prayer before quick application.

KingshipJusticePilgrimage
Old Testament

Psalm 132

1A Song of Ascents. LORD, remember David and all his affliction,

2how he swore to the LORD, and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob:

3“Surely I will not come into the structure of my house, nor go up into my bed;

4I will not give sleep to my eyes, or slumber to my eyelids,

5until I find out a place for the LORD, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”

6Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah. We found it in the field of Jaar.

7“We will go into his dwelling place. We will worship at his footstool.”

8Arise, LORD, into your resting place, you, and the ark of your strength.

9Let your priests be clothed with righteousness. Let your saints shout for joy!

10For your servant David’s sake, don’t turn away the face of your anointed one.

11The LORD has sworn to David in truth. He will not turn from it: “I will set the fruit of your body on your throne.

12If your children will keep my covenant, my testimony that I will teach them, their children also will sit on your throne forever more.”

13For the LORD has chosen Zion. He has desired it for his habitation.

14“This is my resting place forever. I will live here, for I have desired it.

15I will abundantly bless her provision. I will satisfy her poor with bread.

16I will also clothe her priests with salvation. Her saints will shout aloud for joy.

17I will make the horn of David to bud there. I have ordained a lamp for my anointed.

18I will clothe his enemies with shame, but on himself, his crown will shine.”

READ IN CONTEXT

Understanding Psalm 132

Psalm 132 is read especially through the theme of kingship, within Book V (Psalms 107–150). Its language invites attentive prayer before quick application. Read it within the complete five-book Psalms collection, then compare its prayer language with the types of prayer found across Scripture. Classification is a reading aid rather than a replacement for the Psalm's own movement and tension.

Collection

Book V (Psalms 107–150). The five-book shape of the Psalter helps readers hear individual prayers within a deliberately arranged collection.

Themes detected

Kingship, Justice, Pilgrimage. Read for these themes while remaining open to tension and secondary movements.

TEXT-DERIVED READING NOTES

What to notice in Psalm 132

Psalm 132 contains 18 verses and about 260 words in this translation. These observations come from the chapter itself; they are prompts for close reading, not claims about its only possible meaning.

The opening movement

Verse 1 begins: “A Song of Ascents. LORD, remember David and all his affliction,” Ask what situation, voice, image, or argument this opening establishes for everything that follows.

The closing movement

Verse 18 closes: “I will clothe his enemies with shame, but on himself, his crown will shine.”” Compare the ending with the opening and note what changed, resolved, intensified, or remained open.

Vocabulary worth tracing

Recurring or prominent content words include will, place, david, mighty, jacob, dwelling. Follow where each word appears and whether its meaning shifts with the speaker or setting.

COMMON QUESTIONS

About Psalm 132

Which Bible translation is shown here?+

This page reproduces the World English Bible Protestant edition (WEBP), a modern-English translation dedicated to the public domain.

How should I cite a specific verse?+

Use the book, chapter, and verse—for example, Psalms 132:1—and name the World English Bible if the wording matters. Each verse number above is a direct anchor link.

Does the chapter number define the complete literary unit?+

Not always. Chapter and verse numbers were added for navigation. Check the paragraphs, scenes, poetic stanzas, or argument before and after this chapter.

What kind of Psalm is this?+

Our reading profile emphasizes kingship, with related themes of Kingship, Justice, Pilgrimage. Many Psalms blend genres or move between moods, so this label is a guide rather than a rigid classification.

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