Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 132:10

"For thy servant David`s sake Turn not away the face of thine anointed." — Psalms 132:10 (ASV)

For your servant David’s sake - Because of the promise made to him, and because of the zeal which he has shown in securing a place for the ark. Let it not be in vain that he has shown such a regard for the honor of God; let not the promises made to him fail.

Such a prayer is proper now. There is nothing wrong in our beseeching God to carry out and accomplish the purposes cherished by his church for promoting the honor of his name, or for a child to pray that the purposes of a pious parent concerning himself may not fail. It is an expression of nature—a desire that the labor and sacrifices of those who have gone before us should not be lost.

This is the language of the author of the psalm, and of those for whom the psalm was composed. See Psalms 132:1. In view of all that David has done, may You now show favor and mercy.

Turn not away the face of your anointed - As if in displeasure or forgetfulness. The word "anointed" would refer to one who was set apart as a king, a priest, or a prophet (see the notes at Matthew 1:1).

The word would be applicable to David himself as the anointed king; in a higher sense, it is applicable to the Messiah, the Christ. The reference here is probably to David himself, as if a failure to carry out his purposes regarding the sanctuary, or to fulfill the promises made to him, would be a turning away of the face from him; this would be a mark of divine displeasure against him.

The prayer is that God would carry out those purposes as if his face was continually turned with benignity and favor toward David.