Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 132

Lord, remember David - Remember his zeal, his labor, and his trials so that there might be a permanent place for your worship. Remember this so that his purpose in your cause may not be frustrated and so that the promises made to him may be accomplished.

And all his afflictions - The particular trial referred to here was his care and toil so that there might be a settled home for the ark. The word used would not refer merely to what is specified in the following verses (his bringing up the ark to Mount Zion), but to his purpose to build a house for God. This purpose extended—since he himself was not permitted to build it because he was a man of war and had been engaged in scenes of blood (1 Kings 5:3; 1 Chronicles 22:8)—to his care and toil in collecting materials for the temple to be built by his son and successor. Therefore, it is not his general afflictions that are meant here, but his anxiety, and his efforts to secure a lasting place for the worship of God.

How he swore to the Lord — The solemn oath which he took: that he would make this the first object, that he would give himself no rest until this was done, and that he would sacrifice his personal ease and comfort so that he might thereby honor God. This oath or purpose is not recorded in the history. The fair interpretation of this would be either:

1. that these words properly expressed what was in David's mind at the time—that is, his acts implied that this purpose was in his heart; or
2. that this vow was actually made by David, though not elsewhere recorded. Such a vow might have been made, and its remembrance preserved by tradition, or it might have been suggested to the author of the psalm by direct inspiration.

And vowed to the mighty God of Jacob — . The God whom Jacob worshipped, and who had revealed himself so remarkably to him as a God of might or power.

Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house - The tent of my dwelling; the place where I abide. Nor go up into my bed - The couch of my bed, or where I sleep. I will make it my first business to find a dwelling-place for the Lord; a place where the ark may repose.

I will not give sleep to my eyes ... - There is no difference here between the words sleep and slumber. The meaning is that the house of the Lord should be his first care.

Until I find out a place for the Lord - A place for the ark of God; a place where it may constantly and safely remain. The symbol of the divine presence rested on the mercy-seat, the cover of the ark, and hence, this was represented as the seat or the house of God.

An habitation for the mighty God of Jacob - Hebrew, “For the mighty One of Jacob.” The reference is to a permanent dwelling-place for the ark. It had been moved from place to place. There was no house appropriated to it, or built specifically for it, and David resolved to provide such a house—at first, a tent or tabernacle on Mount Zion—and then, a more spacious and magnificent structure, the temple. The latter he was not permitted to build, though the purpose was in his heart.