Psalm 132 Meditation | Worship the Warrior King

Psalm 132 glorifies worship. David should be remembered for his quest to find a place where people could worship God. And the people singing this song are to share David’s enthusiasm for meeting with God. “Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool” (7).
But why worship? The main answer given in this psalm is that God protects his people as a strong king. Twice the Lord is called by a rare title—“The Mighty One of Jacob”— that is always set in the context of military conquest (cf. Is. 49:26). Verse eight sends the same message. In Scripture, “Arise, O Lord” is a fighting phrase (8). This was Moses’ motto whenever the ark of God set out to lead the people to the land of promise (Num. 10:35). Believers worship God because he is a warrior. No wonder David loved the Lord. He himself was a soldier without equal. He could not build the temple he so desired for God because he was too busy fighting God’s enemies (1 Kings 5:3–4). In worship we recognize God’s power and submit to his sovereignty.
But how can we be certain that God will protect us? Scripture’s one-word answer is covenant. God would remember David—but not merely for the hardships he endured (1). “The Lord swore to David a sure oath from which he will not turn back: ‘One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne’” (11). God promised to establish David’s kingdom (2 Sam. 7:12). But that promise was conditional (12), and David’s sons did not keep God’s covenant. One king after another compromised worship and looked to other gods for protection. But God kept his promise. At the perfect time God sent Jesus as one of David’s sons to fulfill the covenant. He will sit on the throne forever along with all of his spiritual heirs.
David might have been searching for a home for God. But God had al-ready decided to make a home for his people. “The Lord has chosen Zion” (13). We worship God because he promises to care for the poor, freely grant salvation, strengthen our joy, and defeat our enemies (15–18).