Psalm 132 2

Psalm 132:2 kjv

How he sware unto the LORD, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob;

Psalm 132:2 nkjv

How he swore to the LORD, And vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob:

Psalm 132:2 niv

He swore an oath to the LORD, he made a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:

Psalm 132:2 esv

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

Psalm 132:2 nlt

He made a solemn promise to the LORD.
He vowed to the Mighty One of Israel,

Psalm 132 verses

Psalm 132 2 Meaning

Psalm 132:2 declares David's profound and unwavering commitment to God. It records the solemn oaths he made to the Lord, Yahweh, and specifically to the "Mighty One of Jacob," signifying his binding pledge to find a permanent dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant, which represented God's presence, before he would establish his own royal comfort. This verse encapsulates David's zealous devotion and his priority of seeking God's honor above his personal well-being.

Psalm 132 2 Context

Psalm 132 is a Royal Psalm and one of the Songs of Ascent (Psalms 120-134), traditionally sung by pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. The overarching theme of Psalm 132 is the establishment of Zion as God's chosen dwelling place and the reaffirmation of God's covenant with David and his lineage. Verses 1-5 recall David's fervent desire and solemn oath to build a resting place for the Ark of the Covenant, prioritizing God's abode before his own comfort. The latter part of the psalm shifts to God's gracious response, promising to dwell in Zion forever and to establish David's descendants eternally, culminating in the Messianic hope. Historically, the verse reflects the intense period in Israel's history when David, having brought the Ark to Jerusalem (2 Sam 6), longed to construct a permanent temple, seeing the Ark still housed in a tent. This was a pivotal moment in solidifying Jerusalem as the spiritual and political center of the united monarchy under God's chosen king.

Psalm 132 2 Word analysis

• how he swore (אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּע - ʾasher nishbaʿ):

  • ʾasher (relative pronoun): "who, which, that."
  • nishbaʿ (נִשְׁבַּע): Hebrew verb from the root š-b-ʿ meaning "to swear, take an oath." In the Niphal stem (as here), it means "to bind oneself by an oath, make a sworn statement."
  • Significance: This is a solemn, sacred act, binding oneself before God. An oath invoked divine witness and potential judgment if broken, signifying an extremely weighty commitment. David's resolve was not a fleeting thought but a profound, publicly declared, and spiritually charged promise.

• to the Lord (לַיהוָה - la-YHWH):

  • YHWH (יהוה): The sacred, ineffable four-letter name of God, often rendered "Lord" or "Jehovah" in English translations. It signifies God's personal, covenantal nature, His self-existence, and faithfulness.
  • Significance: David's oath was directed to the true covenant God of Israel, emphasizing the divine recipient and ultimate authority of his vow, distinguishing it from pagan practices of vowing to powerless deities.

• and vowed (נָדַר - nādar):

  • nādar (נָדַר): Hebrew verb meaning "to vow, to dedicate by a vow, make a promise (especially to God)." This term is often associated with a voluntary, conditional promise or an act of devotion where something is set apart or consecrated.
  • Significance: While "swore" implies a binding commitment under divine witness, "vowed" can emphasize a more personal, dedicated pledge, often in exchange for divine favor or out of thanksgiving. The two terms together (swore and vowed) intensify the earnestness and depth of David's resolution, showing both legal-divine binding and a heartfelt consecration.

• to the Mighty One of Jacob (לַאֲבִיר יַעֲקֹב - la-ʾAvir Yaʿaqov):

  • ʾAvir (אֲבִיר): Hebrew noun, usually translated "Mighty One, Strong One, Champion." It speaks of God's inherent strength, power, and ability to overcome.
  • Yaʿaqov (יַעֲקֹב): Jacob, the patriarch, whose name was changed to Israel (Gen 35:10). This refers to God's covenant people.
  • Significance: This is an ancient and profound divine title, appearing first in Genesis 49:24. It highlights God's power and strength, not abstractly, but specifically in relation to His covenant with Jacob (Israel). It underscores God's unwavering faithfulness and power to protect and fulfill His promises to His chosen people. The title implies God's role as a divine Protector and Provider for Israel, emphasizing the covenant fidelity underpinning David's own commitment. It implicitly stands against the impotence of idols; David is dedicating himself to the God who truly is "Mighty."

Words-group analysis:

• "how he swore... and vowed": The parallelism and use of two distinct but related verbs emphasize the solemnity and totality of David's commitment. It was a binding pledge of deep conviction and profound purpose. This dual expression reinforces that David's action was not a light promise but a deeply serious spiritual undertaking before God.
• "to the Lord... to the Mighty One of Jacob": This dual address to God highlights different aspects of His character and identity. "The Lord" (YHWH) emphasizes His personal, covenantal name, signifying relationship and faithfulness. "The Mighty One of Jacob" stresses His power, strength, and active involvement in the history and destiny of His people Israel. Addressing God with these specific titles underscored the weight and the divine guarantee of David's oath.

Psalm 132 2 Bonus section

The zeal expressed in Psalm 132:2 prefigures the heart of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Just as David devoted himself to finding a dwelling for God, Jesus embodied the ultimate dwelling of God among humanity ("the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us," Jn 1:14). His zeal for God's house consumed Him (Jn 2:17, quoting Ps 69:9). David’s vow points forward to the greater Davidic King whose life was utterly consumed by the will of His Father, culminating in His self-sacrifice to build not a house of cedar, but a spiritual house of believers for God's eternal dwelling (1 Pet 2:5, Eph 2:19-22).

Psalm 132 2 Commentary

Psalm 132:2 encapsulates the driving motivation behind King David's spiritual and royal reign: his overwhelming desire to establish a permanent dwelling for the Ark of the Covenant, thereby honoring the presence of God among His people. This was no casual statement but a sworn oath and a sacred vow, indicating the highest level of personal commitment and prioritization. David's willingness to forgo his own comfort and security, depicted in the following verses, until God's presence was suitably honored, sets a powerful example of devout leadership. The double mention of "the Lord" (YHWH) and "the Mighty One of Jacob" emphasizes that David’s covenant-bound devotion was directed to the sovereign, powerful God who consistently acted on behalf of His chosen people throughout history, ensuring the fulfillment of His promises. This verse serves as a reminder that genuine piety is demonstrated through action, sacrifice, and the profound prioritizing of God's glory and presence above personal aspirations or ease.