Psalm 132:13 kjv
For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.
Psalm 132:13 nkjv
For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place:
Psalm 132:13 niv
For the LORD has chosen Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling, saying,
Psalm 132:13 esv
For the LORD has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his dwelling place:
Psalm 132:13 nlt
For the LORD has chosen Jerusalem ;
he has desired it for his home.
Psalm 132 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 78:67-68 | He rejected the tent of Joseph; He did not choose the tribe of Ephraim, but He chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion... | God's explicit choice of Judah and Zion over others. |
| Zech 1:17 | My cities will again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem. | Prophetic confirmation of God's renewed choice of Zion/Jerusalem. |
| Zech 2:12 | The LORD will inherit Judah as His portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem. | Reaffirmation of Jerusalem as God's chosen heritage. |
| Joel 3:17 | So you shall know that I am the LORD your God, dwelling in Zion, My holy mountain... | God's residence in Zion as a sign of His sovereignty. |
| Isa 14:32 | ...The LORD has founded Zion, and in her the afflicted of His people will find refuge. | Zion as divinely founded and a place of refuge. |
| 1 Kgs 8:13 | I have surely built You a house of habitation, a place for Your dwelling forever. | Solomon's prayer echoing the purpose of the Temple. |
| Ps 9:11 | Sing praises to the LORD, who dwells in Zion; declare among the peoples His deeds. | Call to worship God who resides in Zion. |
| Ps 76:2 | In Salem also is His tabernacle, and His dwelling place in Zion. | Zion as the location of God's dwelling (tabernacle). |
| Isa 8:18 | ...I and the children whom the LORD has given me are for signs and wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, who dwells on Mount Zion. | God's dwelling on Mount Zion with His people. |
| Ps 48:1-2 | Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in His holy mountain. Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion... | Zion as the beautiful, holy city of God. |
| Eze 43:7 | Son of man, this is the place of My throne and the place of the soles of My feet, where I will dwell among the children of Israel forever. | God's eternal dwelling with His people. |
| Rev 21:3 | And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them..." | Ultimate fulfillment of God dwelling with His people. |
| 2 Cor 6:16 | ...For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM..." | Spiritual dwelling of God in His New Covenant people. |
| Isa 62:4 | You will no longer be called "Forsaken," nor will your land be called "Desolate"; but you will be called "My Delight is in Her," and your land "Married"; for the LORD delights in you, and to Him your land will be married. | God's profound delight and love for Zion. |
| Ps 87:2 | The LORD loves the gates of Zion More than all the other dwelling places of Jacob. | God's preferential love for Zion. |
| Isa 2:3 | ...For the law will go forth from Zion and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. | Zion as the source of God's law and word. |
| Heb 12:22-24 | But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem... | Heavenly fulfillment, Christians entering true Zion. |
| Gal 4:26 | But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother. | Spiritual "Jerusalem above" as the church's true origin. |
| Rev 21:2 | And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God... | The ultimate, eschatological dwelling place of God. |
| 2 Sam 7:13 | He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. | God's covenant with David linked to the dwelling place. |
| Ps 89:3-4 | I have made a covenant with My chosen; I have sworn to David My servant, I will establish your seed forever and build up your throne to all generations. | Divine promise to David, foundational to Zion's significance. |
| Dt 7:6-8 | For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His personal possession... | God's pattern of choosing based on love, not merit. |
Psalm 132 verses
Psalm 132 13 Meaning
Psalm 132:13 declares God's sovereign and deliberate choice of Zion as His special, cherished dwelling place. It reveals His profound affection and longing to establish His continuous presence in this specific location, making it the central hub for His interaction with His people. This verse signifies a deep divine commitment and permanence regarding Zion.
Psalm 132 13 Context
Psalm 132 is a "Psalm of Ascent" likely sung by pilgrims journeying to Jerusalem. The first part (verses 1-10) focuses on King David's fervent vow to find a permanent "resting place" or dwelling for the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing God's presence, before he would find rest for himself. This expresses David's deep devotion to establish centralized worship and honor God's presence among His people in Jerusalem. The latter part (verses 11-18), beginning directly with verse 11, presents God's unwavering response to David, a divine oath and promise regarding His dwelling and the enduring nature of the Davidic dynasty. Verse 13 specifically articulates God's reciprocation of David's desire; God had already, by His own will, chosen and deeply desired Zion as His abode, affirming the holiness and centrality of Jerusalem, specifically Mount Zion, where the Temple was eventually built.
Psalm 132 13 Word analysis
For the LORD (כִּי־בָחַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֣ה - ki bakhar Yahweh):
- For (כִּי - ki): Introduces the reason or explanation. It clarifies why God will fulfill the preceding promises regarding David's line and blessing for Zion (v.11-12, 14-18).
- the LORD (יְהֹוָ֣ה - Yahweh): The sacred, personal, covenantal name of God. This signifies the sovereign, relational God of Israel who acts according to His nature and promises.
has chosen (בָחַ֣ר - bakhar):
- Hebrew verb meaning "to choose," "select," "elect."
- Highlights a deliberate, intentional act. This was not accidental, nor was it based on human initiative or Zion's inherent merit. It was an act of divine prerogative and sovereign grace. This word is crucial as it emphasizes God's active involvement in establishing Zion's special status.
Zion (צִיּוֹן - Tziyon):
- Originally a Jebusite fortress, conquered by King David and renamed the "City of David."
- It came to denote not only the specific hill but also the entire city of Jerusalem, especially its religious and royal significance.
- Represents the spiritual capital, the physical location of God's presence (via the Temple/Ark), and symbolically, God's dwelling place among His people.
He has desired (חֲוָהּ֮ - khamad):
- Hebrew verb often meaning "to desire," "covet," "long for," "take delight in."
- In this context, it speaks of God's positive, deep affection, delight, and intense longing for Zion. It goes beyond a mere intellectual choice to an emotional attachment. It shows His willingness and eagerness to make it His permanent abode.
it for His dwelling place (לְמוֹשָׁ֖ב לוֹ - le-moshav lo):
- dwelling place (מוֹשָׁ֖ב - moshav): Literally "habitation," "seat," "settlement."
- Indicates a permanent residence or an established seat, not a temporary lodging. God desires Zion not for a brief visit but to settle and manifest His presence enduringly there. It speaks to the stability and faithfulness of His divine presence.
Words-group analysis:
- "For the LORD has chosen Zion": This phrase emphasizes the divine initiative. It clarifies that Zion's unique status is not due to human selection or achievement, but entirely due to YHWH's sovereign election. This sets Zion apart as uniquely sacred due to God's self-revealing choice.
- "He has desired it for His dwelling place": This parallel clause deepens the understanding of "chosen." It's not just a detached selection but one imbued with divine affection and purpose. God doesn't merely pick a spot; He loves it and actively longs for it as the location to establish His abiding presence among His people, confirming the permanence of His intent.
Psalm 132 13 Bonus section
The choice of Zion by the LORD also serves as a polemic against the regional cultic centers or "high places" that vied for Israel's devotion. By stating that YHWH specifically "chosen" and "desired" Zion, it consolidates legitimate worship to a singular, divinely appointed location, reinforcing the unique relationship between God, Israel, and the centralized worship prescribed by the Torah. This highlights God's particularity and His rejection of human-devised religious practices. This deliberate, divine decision for Zion serves as an anchor for the Davidic covenant and the subsequent messianic hope centered in Jerusalem. It reminds us that God's plans are anchored in specific acts of sovereign grace.
Psalm 132 13 Commentary
Psalm 132:13 unveils the profound truth that Zion's sanctity and significance are rooted exclusively in God's deliberate, affectionate, and eternal choice. Far from being a random or merely functional site, Zion, and by extension Jerusalem, is portrayed as the object of divine desire, chosen for a permanent, intimate relationship as God's earthly dwelling. This speaks to the relational nature of God, who delights in making Himself known and accessible to His creation. This selection provided comfort and security to Israel, knowing that their God had committed Himself to a specific place among them. The verse's fulfillment, initially in the Temple, points forward to the ultimate indwelling of God in humanity through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit within believers (the Church), and finally, in the New Jerusalem, where God truly dwells among His redeemed people forever, realizing His ultimate desired "dwelling place."