John Calvin Commentary Psalms 132:2

"How he sware unto Jehovah, And vowed unto the Mighty One of Jacob:" — Psalms 132:2 (ASV)

Who swore to Jehovah. One affliction of David is particularly mentioned: he was filled with perplexity concerning the situation of the Ark. Moses had commanded the people long before to worship God in the place He had chosen (Deuteronomy 12:5).

David knew that the full time had now arrived when the particular place should be revealed, yet he was in some hesitation. This situation was necessarily accompanied by much anxiety, especially for one so ardently attached to the worship of God and so vehemently desirous of God's fixed presence with the nation for its defense and government.

It is said that he swore to see to the building of the Temple and to postpone every other consideration to the accomplishment of this object. The severity of this vow may seem somewhat too harsh when he declares his resolution to refuse sleep, his food, and the common supports of life until a place should have been set apart for the Temple.

To have acted in this way would have been to show an inconsiderate zeal, for it was not fitting for him to prescribe the time to God, nor was it possible for him to endure any number of fasting days or sleepless nights. When, then, are we to consider that this vow was taken?

Indeed, I am aware that some Hebrew writers judge that it was made at the time when he fell down trembling at the sight of the angel. However, without denying that the plot of ground was pointed out to him immediately after that circumstance, it is an altogether forced and unsupported conjecture to say that what had so long been in David’s thoughts was conceived at that exact moment.

Nor is there anything to prevent us from supposing that his language here is to be understood as hyperbolical. This suggests it was not a vow in the strictest sense, but rather to be understood in a qualified way: that he would never enter his house nor go to his bed without feeling concern about this subject.

He was persuaded that the settlement of the sanctuary was intimately connected with the state of the kingdom. We need not be surprised, therefore, that as long as he remained uncertain about the Temple’s location, he could scarcely feel assured even of his own crown and was incapable of enjoying the ordinary comforts of life with any satisfaction.

Still, where Scripture has been silent, we can say nothing certain; and I offer these thoughts as what seems to me the most probable interpretation.

I believe the passage can very well be understood as I have mentioned: that until informed of the place of the Ark’s destined residence, David was full of concern and anxiety, whether dwelling in his house or when he lay upon his bed.

As for the vow itself, this and other passages provide no basis for supposing, with the Papists, that God approves of any vows people may make, regardless of their nature.

To vow to God what He Himself has declared to be agreeable to Him is a commendable practice. However, it is too presumptuous for us to rush into vows that suit our own carnal inclinations.

The most important thing is that we consider what is agreeable to His will. Otherwise, we may find ourselves depriving Him of that which is indeed His principal right, for with Him, to obey is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22).