Psalm 132

To Zion

Read/pray the psalm. (Full text at bottom.)

• We can easily see why pilgrims would sing this Song of Ascents on their way to Jerusalem. All the themes are here:

  • The fractal “tent”:

    • God Almighty in the canopy of heaven

    • God’s chosen dwelling place on earth in Jerusalem on Mount Zion

    • God’s house/ tent/ tabernacle/ temple

    • The ark

    • House of David (dynasty)

    • David’s personal house (residence)

    • David’s own body [12] as tent, storehouse of seed, leading to children and children’s children.

  • Singing on their way to Zion

  • Worship of God

  • The tabernacle/temple

  • The ark

  • The shame and defeat of Judah’s tormentors

So…

• Thinking of the fractal nature of this symbolism….

• Listen to Lauryn Hill, “To Zion” (feat. Carlos Santana) (~4 min.):

Psalm 132
Memento, Domine

1	Lord, remember David, *
		and all his tribulations,
2	How he swore unto the Lord, *
		and vowed a vow unto the Almighty God of Jacob:
3	“I will not come within the tabernacle of my house, *
		nor climb up into my bed,
4	I will not allow my eyes to sleep, nor my eyelids to slumber, * 
		neither the temples of my head to take any rest,
5	Until I find a place for the temple of the Lord, * 
		a habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.”
6	Lo, we heard of the ark at Ephrathah * 
		and found it in the wood.
7	We will go into his tabernacle, *
		and fall low on our knees before his footstool.
8	Arise, O Lord, into your resting-place, *
		you and the ark of your strength.
9	Let your priests be clothed with righteousness, * 
		and let your saints sing with joy.
10	For your servant David’s sake, *
		turn not away the presence of your Anointed.
11	The Lord has made a faithful oath unto David, * 
		and he shall not shrink from it:
12	“Of the fruit of your body *
		shall I set upon your throne.
13	If your children will keep my covenant, and my testimonies that I shall teach them, *
		their children also shall sit upon your throne for evermore.”
14	For the Lord has chosen Zion for himself; *
		he has longed for her to be his habitation:
15	“This shall be my rest for ever; *
		here will I dwell, for I have a delight therein.
16	I will bless her provisions with increase, * 
		and will satisfy her poor with bread.
17	I will clothe her priests with salvation, * 
		and her saints shall rejoice and sing.
18	There shall I make the horn of David flourish; * 
		I have prepared a lantern for my Anointed.
19	As for his enemies, I shall clothe them with shame; * 
		but upon his head shall his crown flourish.”


New Coverdale Psalter