For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His home: Sermons
I. SHE IS THE OBJECT OF THE LORD'S CHOICE. 1. We cannot get rid of the truth of God's election. Many would like to do so. It calls up in their minds thoughts of a very painful kind. It clouds for them and to them the face of God. 2. But we see it everywhere. Are not we ourselves a chosen people? With whom hath God dealt, in the way of privilege, as with us? 3. And we act upon the principle ourselves. If we want some work to be done, we elect the best instruments we can find for it. We do not send just anybody, but we choose whom we shall send. 4. And this fact shows us how to regard the doctrine of election. The election is to service for the sake of others, not to their exclusion, as is so commonly thought; for their good, and not for their ill. Thus God chose Abraham and Israel, that his "way may be known upon earth, and his," etc. (Psalm 67.). Not that others may be left out of the Divine blessing, but brought into it. If we are rendering no service to our brethren, then we are not of God's elect, for all his elect serve. II. SHE IS HIS REST AND DESIRED HABITATION FOREVER. 1. Allusion is, no doubt, made to the ark of the covenant. Its shiftings and migrations had been many ere it was finally fixed at Jerusalem. It went from Shiloh to Bethel (Judges 20:27); then to Mizpeh (Judges 21:5); then, for twenty years, it was at Kirjath-jearim, in "the fields of the wood;" then, for three months, in the house of Obed-Edom; and finally at Zion, where the psalmist thought it would rest for evermore. 2. But what was not strictly true of the ark and Zion is true of God and his Church. He ever dwells there; for his people have been chosen in Christ from the foundation of the world. He has already done so much for them, both in providence and in grace. Amongst ourselves nothing so hinds us over to render further help as help we have already given. And certainly it is so with God. He begins his good work, and therefore he goes on (Philippians 1:6). Then, God has promised to be ever with his people (see John 14:16-23; Ephesians 2:21, 22). Amid his people only is he honored, loved, and obeyed; other men grieve, dishonor, and despise him and his Law; but his people count him their "exceeding Joy." And then he is beginning already to reap his blessed harvest in them. Our Lord himself was the Sower who went "forth weeping, bearing," etc. (Psalm 126:6); and already he is beginning to "come again with rejoicing," etc. For amid his people he finds even here and now - how much more by-and-by! - sympathy, love, holiness, devotion, those things in which he delights because they are of and like himself. 3. And what is true of the Church at large is true of the individual soul. Are we, then, members of God's Zion, enrolled in the fellowship of his Church? III. THE PROVISION SHALL BE ABUNDANTLY BLESSED. Her praises, her prayers, her instructions, her ministers, her sacraments, her assemblies, - these are her provisions; and God shall, does, abundantly bless them to the securing of those happy results for which they were designed. IV. THE POOR SHALL BE SATISFIED WITH BREAD. In his Church the poor are the rich, and the rich the poor. For the poor are those who know it and long for the Bread of life, and so get it and are rich. But the rich desire not, and so have not and are poor. And Zion's poor shall be satisfied. Oh to be of these poor! - S.C.
For the Lord hath chosen Zion. He giveth a reason for the absolute promise of Christ's coming to rule the spiritual kingdom of Israel, or the Church, because the Lord had chosen Zion in the type, and the universal Church under the figure, to be His chosen Temple and habitation, wherein He delighted. Whence learn —1. Where God will settle His sanctuary, there tie will settle His kingdom also: Zion must not want a king; for the reason here, why the Lord will with an oath set up one who shall be the fruit of David's body upon the throne, is "because He hath chosen Zion." 2. The Lord's pitching upon any place to dwell in, or persons to dwell among, cometh not of the worthiness of the place or persons, but from God's good pleasure alone. 3. The Lord resteth in His love towards His Church, accepting the persons, prayers, and service of His chosen people; lie smelleth a sweet savour in Christ here, and His love maketh His seat among His people steadfast. 4. What is promised under typical figures is really everlasting, not in regard of the figure, but in regard of the signification: "For this is my rest for ever," is true only in respect of the Church, represented by Zion. 5. No reason is to be craved for God's everlasting good will to any person or incorporation; His pleasure may suffice for a cause. (D. Dickson.) 1. The sovereignty of God, which is exercised towards His creatures. 2. This choice is a choice of love (Ephesians 2:4, 5; Jeremiah 31:3). II. THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH GOD HAS CHOSEN ZION. God desires Zion — 1. For His habitation. 2. For His rest. Where He takes up His abode, it is for ever. III. THE BLESSINGS PROMISED. In 1 John 2:12, 13, you have the family of God set forth from infancy to manhood; from weakness itself, to perfect strength; from sin's dominion and degradation, to salvation's honours and glories; from the captivity of Satan, to a full victory over him; from the love, power, and guilt of sin, to the enjoyment of all the Gospel blessings, promises, and treasures in Christ. (C. Parvey.) People David, Ephratah, Ephrath, Jacob, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Chosen, Desired, Desiring, Dwelling, Fixed, Habitation, Heart, Lord's, Resting-place, Seat, ZionOutline 1. David in his prayer commends unto God the reverent care he had for the ark8. His prayer at the removing of the ark 11. With a repetition of God's promises Dictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 132:13 5832 desire Library An Examination of Post-Millennialism. Post-millennialists teach that the only Kingdom over which Christ will ever reign is a spiritual and celestial one. They say that those Jews who expected their Messiah to set up a visible and material Kingdom on the earth were mistaken, that they erred in the interpretation of their prophetic Scriptures and cherished a carnal and unworthy hope. Let us examine this assertion in the light of God's Word. In Psalm 132:11 we read "The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; He will not turn from it: Of the … Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return Vive Jesus. Preface. Promises and Threatenings The Fulfilled Prophecies of the Bible Bespeak the Omniscience of Its Author Emmaus. Kiriath-Jearim. Manner of Covenanting. The Promise in 2 Samuel, Chap. vii. Nature of Covenanting. Covenanting Confers Obligation. Introduction. Chapter i. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers. Annunciation of the Birth of Jesus. Departure from Ireland. Death and Burial at Clairvaux. Psalms Links Psalm 132:13 NIVPsalm 132:13 NLT Psalm 132:13 ESV Psalm 132:13 NASB Psalm 132:13 KJV Psalm 132:13 Bible Apps Psalm 132:13 Parallel Psalm 132:13 Biblia Paralela Psalm 132:13 Chinese Bible Psalm 132:13 French Bible Psalm 132:13 German Bible Psalm 132:13 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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