Psalm 132 17

Psalm 132:17 kjv

There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.

Psalm 132:17 nkjv

There I will make the horn of David grow; I will prepare a lamp for My Anointed.

Psalm 132:17 niv

"Here I will make a horn grow for David and set up a lamp for my anointed one.

Psalm 132:17 esv

There I will make a horn to sprout for David; I have prepared a lamp for my anointed.

Psalm 132:17 nlt

Here I will increase the power of David;
my anointed one will be a light for my people.

Psalm 132 verses

Psalm 132 17 Meaning

Psalm 132:17 is a divine promise affirming God's unfailing commitment to the Davidic dynasty and, preeminently, to the Messiah. It declares that in Zion, God will raise up strength and honor for David's line ("the horn of David"), signifying enduring power, sovereign authority, and triumph. Furthermore, God pledges to sustain a perpetual guiding light ("a lamp") for His chosen one, representing the continued presence, life, truth, and guidance of the anointed king, which ultimately points to the Messiah, Jesus Christ. This verse assures the continuation of the Davidic throne and the ultimate triumph of God's anointed King.

Psalm 132 17 Context

Psalm 132 is a "Song of Ascents" (שִׁיר הַמַּעֲלוֹת, shir hama'alot), sung by pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. The psalm weaves together two major themes: David's zeal to find a dwelling place for God's ark and God's corresponding promise to David regarding his perpetual dynasty and the establishment of Zion as His chosen dwelling. The preceding verses (Psa 132:1-9) describe David's fervent desire and oath to build a temple for the Lord. Verses 10-16 then articulate God's specific promises concerning His choice of Zion as His resting place and His covenant with David, ensuring his lineage would continue to reign and blessing Zion with spiritual prosperity. Verse 17 directly follows God's declaration about providing food and clothing for Zion's priests and poor, and ensuring joy for her saints (Psa 132:15-16). It signifies the ultimate divine provision for the Davidic house, which is deeply intertwined with God's dwelling in Jerusalem. Historically, this psalm was recited in the context of the monarchy, reflecting the theological centrality of the Davidic covenant and Jerusalem's role as the spiritual capital. It was a reaffirmation of divine fidelity, counteracting any contemporary beliefs that might suggest God's chosen king or city could be abandoned.

Psalm 132 17 Word analysis

• There (שָׁם, sham): Refers directly to Zion/Jerusalem, as mentioned in Psa 132:13 ("For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place"). It specifies the geographic and spiritual locus where God's promises to David will be realized. It indicates a definite, divinely designated place for the fulfillment of the prophecy.
• I will make to spring forth (אַצְמִ֬יחַ, atzmíakh): This verb means "to cause to sprout, to make to grow." It conveys the image of a new shoot or branch emerging, signifying vitality, new life, and divine agency in initiating and sustaining growth. This specific verb is key in Old Testament prophecies referring to the Messiah as the "Branch" (e.g., Tzemach in Isa 4:2, Jer 23:5, Zech 3:8, 6:12). God Himself is the one causing this sprouting, emphasizing His sovereign power and initiative.
• horn (קֶ֣רֶן, qéren): In biblical typology, the "horn" symbolizes strength, power, honor, dignity, and kingship. Animals use their horns for defense and dominance. When applied to a person or dynasty, it speaks of exalted power, successful leadership, and an unstoppable force against adversaries. It represents political and military might, as well as spiritual authority. In the context of a "horn of salvation" (Luk 1:69), it signifies the mighty saving power of God.
• of David (לְדָוִֽד, l'david): Denotes the Davidic lineage, the dynasty of David. This covenantal promise is not merely for David personally but extends to his descendants and, supremely, to the ultimate Davidic King, the Messiah.
• I will prepare (עָרַ֬כְתִּי, aráchti): This verb means "to arrange, set in order, provide, prepare." The use of the perfect tense often denotes a completed action with lasting effects, or a prophetic perfect indicating a certain future. Here, it indicates God's purposeful and complete establishment of what is promised, an act already decided and secured in divine counsel.
• a lamp (נֵֽר, nér): Symbolizes continuous life, prosperity, guidance, revelation, truth, and presence. A "lamp" not going out implies an enduring existence, knowledge, and hope. It speaks to the ongoing light of divine presence and favor for the Davidic kings, and by extension, the Messiah who is the Light of the World (Jn 8:12).
• for My anointed (לִמְשִׁיחִֽי, li'mshiachí): Literally "for My Messiah" or "for My anointed one." This refers to the king chosen by God and consecrated through anointing oil. Every king in David's line was considered "the LORD's anointed." However, the prophetic context often transcends immediate fulfillments to point to the ultimate Anointed One, the Christ (from Greek Christos, meaning "anointed"), who fully embodies God's covenantal promises and whose reign is eternal.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "There I will make the horn of David to spring forth": This phrase combines geographical specificity ("There" - Zion) with divine agency ("I will make to spring forth") and a powerful messianic symbol ("the horn of David"). It underscores that God, in His chosen dwelling place, will actively bring forth the mighty power and regal authority associated with the Davidic line, which will culminate in the Messiah. This speaks to both historical reality and ultimate eschatological fulfillment.
• "I will prepare a lamp for My anointed": This part emphasizes divine providence and sustenance for the Davidic kingship. "Prepare" highlights God's intentional and guaranteed provision. The "lamp" signifies perpetual spiritual and dynastic continuity, divine guidance, and revelation for God's chosen king. This promise ensures that the light of David's royal line will not be extinguished, ultimately shining forth eternally through the true Anointed One, Jesus.

Psalm 132 17 Bonus section

The active verbs "I will make to spring forth" (atzmiach) and "I will prepare" (arachti) underscore that the fulfillment of this promise is solely by divine initiative and power. It's not a human effort that establishes the Davidic king's might or perpetuates his lamp; it is God's doing, testifying to His sovereignty over human history and dynastic succession. The prophetic perfect tense of "I will prepare" (a perfect verb used here to denote a future certainty) conveys the absolute certainty of God's commitment. It’s as good as done. The connection between "horn" and "lamp" presents a balanced picture of the Messiah: He is not only a king of power and dominion but also a source of truth, light, and enduring presence, dispelling darkness and guiding His people.

Psalm 132 17 Commentary

Psalm 132:17 stands as a cornerstone of Messianic prophecy within the Psalter, encapsulating God's unwavering commitment to the Davidic covenant. It presents a dual promise: one of enduring strength and sovereign power, symbolized by the "horn," and another of perpetual guidance and presence, represented by the "lamp." These pledges assure the continuity of the Davidic dynasty against all odds. Historically, this meant the successive kings of Judah, a line often threatened but divinely preserved. However, the ultimate and perfect fulfillment is found in Jesus Christ, the promised "horn of salvation" (Luk 1:69) who sprouted from David's root (Isa 11:1), embodying all power and authority. He is the eternal lamp, the Light of the World, who permanently illuminates His people and reigns eternally from Zion. This verse not only confirms the stability of God's chosen king but also reveals the depth of His redemptive plan, which climaxes in Christ's everlasting kingdom. It reminds believers that true strength and eternal light originate from God's specific promises and their fulfillment in His Anointed.