Psalm 132:18 Study Bible: I will clothe his enemies with shame, but on himself, his crown will be resplendent."

◄ Psalm 132:18 ►

I will clothe his enemies with shame, but the crown upon him will gleam."

I will clothe his enemies with shame
This phrase suggests a divine reversal of fortunes, where those who oppose God's anointed will be publicly disgraced. In biblical context, clothing often symbolizes one's status or condition (e.g., Isaiah 61:10). The imagery of being "clothed with shame" indicates a complete and visible defeat. Historically, this reflects the fate of those who opposed King David and his lineage, as God promised to protect and establish David's throne (2 Samuel 7:12-16). This also connects to the broader biblical theme of God humbling the proud and exalting the humble (Proverbs 3:34, James 4:6).

but the crown upon him will gleam.
The "crown" symbolizes authority, honor, and legitimacy of rule. In the context of Psalm 132, this refers to the Davidic covenant, where God promises an everlasting dynasty through David's line. The gleaming crown signifies not only the enduring nature of this promise but also the divine favor and blessing upon the rightful king. This is prophetically significant as it points to the ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the descendant of David, whose kingdom is eternal (Luke 1:32-33). The imagery of a gleaming crown also evokes the idea of divine light and glory, often associated with God's presence and approval (Revelation 22:5).

Persons / Places / Events

1. David
The psalm is part of a series of Songs of Ascents, traditionally attributed to David. It reflects on God's promises to David and his lineage.

2. Zion
The psalm is set in the context of Zion, the city of David, which holds significant spiritual and historical importance as the dwelling place of God and the center of worship for Israel.

3. Enemies
The adversaries of the anointed king, representing opposition to God's chosen leadership and, by extension, to God's plans.

4. Crown
Symbolizes the authority and legitimacy of the king, representing God's blessing and favor upon the anointed ruler.

5. God's Promise
The overarching theme of the psalm is God's covenant promise to David, ensuring the prosperity and continuity of his lineage.

Teaching Points

God's Faithfulness to His Promises
God is faithful to His covenant with David, ensuring that his enemies are put to shame and his lineage is honored. This reassures believers of God's unwavering commitment to His promises.

The Consequences of Opposition to God's Anointed
The enemies of God's chosen leader are clothed with shame, illustrating the futility of opposing God's plans. Believers are reminded to align themselves with God's purposes.

The Symbolism of the Crown
The gleaming crown represents divine favor and authority. Believers are encouraged to seek God's favor and live under His authority, reflecting His glory in their lives.

Victory Through God's Intervention
The ultimate victory over enemies is achieved through God's intervention. Believers can trust in God's power to overcome challenges and adversities.

Living as Part of God's Covenant Community
As part of the spiritual lineage of David through Christ, believers are called to live in a way that honors God's covenant, reflecting His righteousness and justice.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Psalm 132:18 reflect God's covenant with David, and what does this teach us about God's faithfulness?

2. In what ways can we identify and respond to the "enemies" in our lives that oppose God's purposes?

3. How does the imagery of the crown in Psalm 132:18 inspire us to live under God's authority and reflect His glory?

4. What are some practical ways we can experience and demonstrate God's victory over challenges in our daily lives?

5. How can we, as part of God's covenant community, live in a way that honors His promises and reflects His righteousness?

Connections to Other Scriptures

2 Samuel 7
This chapter details God's covenant with David, promising that his throne will be established forever. Psalm 132:18 echoes this promise by affirming the enduring nature of David's line.

Isaiah 61:10
This verse speaks of being clothed with garments of salvation and righteousness, paralleling the imagery of being clothed with shame or honor in Psalm 132:18.

Revelation 3:11
This verse encourages believers to hold fast to their crown, connecting to the idea of the crown gleaming in Psalm 132:18, symbolizing victory and reward.

Sermons

A Flourishing Crown	E. Digby.	Psalm 132:18
The Redeemer's Glory, and the Confusion of His Enemies	Homilist	Psalm 132:18
The Shame of Christ's Enemies and the Glory of His Crown	S. Conway	Psalm 132:18
A Prayer for the House of David	T. W. Chambers, D. D.	Psalm 132:1-18
Spiritual Worship	C. Short	Psalm 132:1-18
The House of God	J. Stalker, D. D.	Psalm 132:1-18
The Song of the Builders	A. Maclaren, D. D.	Psalm 132:1-18

People

David, Ephratah, Ephrath, Jacob, Psalmist

Places

Jerusalem

Topics

133, Clothe, Clothed, Crown, David, Enemies, Flourish, Haters, Luster, Psalm, Resplendent, Shame, Shed, Shine, Shining, Song

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Psalm 132:18

5280 crown

Psalm 132:13-18

7470 temple, significance

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.
THE Holy Ghost teaches that the lips of the heavenly Spouse, that is The Church, resemble scarlet and the dropping honeycomb, [15] to let every one know that all the doctrine which she announces consists in sacred love; of a more resplendent red than scarlet on account of the blood of the spouse whose love inflames her, sweeter than honey on account of the sweetness of the beloved who crowns her with delights. So this heavenly spouse when he thought good to begin the promulgation of his law, cast …
St. Francis de Sales—Treatise on the Love of God

Promises and Threatenings
'And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished the building of the house of the Lord, and the king's house, and all Solomon's desire which he was pleased to do. 2. That the Lord appeared to Solomon the second time, as He had appeared unto him at Gibeon. 3. And the Lord said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before Me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put My name there for ever; and Mine eyes and Mine heart shall be there perpetually, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Fulfilled Prophecies of the Bible Bespeak the Omniscience of Its Author
In Isaiah 41:21-23 we have what is probably the most remarkable challenge to be found in the Bible. "Produce your cause, saith the Lord; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob. Let them bring them forth, and show us what shall happen; let them show the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come. Show the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods." This Scripture has both a negative …
Arthur W. Pink—The Divine Inspiration of the Bible

Emmaus. Kiriath-Jearim.
"From Beth-horon to Emmaus it was hilly."--It was sixty furlongs distant from Jerusalem.--"To eight hundred only, dismissed the army, (Vespasian) gave a place, called Ammaus, for them to inhabit: it is sixty furlongs distant from Jerusalem." I inquire, whether this word hath the same etymology with Emmaus near Tiberias, which, from the 'warm baths,' was called Chammath. The Jews certainly do write this otherwise... "The family (say they) of Beth-Pegarim, and Beth Zipperia was out of Emmaus."--The …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Manner of Covenanting.
Previous to an examination of the manner of engaging in the exercise of Covenanting, the consideration of God's procedure towards his people while performing the service seems to claim regard. Of the manner in which the great Supreme as God acts, as well as of Himself, our knowledge is limited. Yet though even of the effects on creatures of His doings we know little, we have reason to rejoice that, in His word He has informed us, and in His providence illustrated by that word, he has given us to …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

The Promise in 2 Samuel, Chap. vii.
The Messianic prophecy, as we have seen, began at a time long anterior to that of David. Even in Genesis, we perceived [Pg 131] it, increasing more and more in distinctness. There is at first only the general promise that the seed of the woman should obtain the victory over the kingdom of the evil one;--then, that the salvation should come through the descendants of Shem;--then, from among them Abraham is marked out,--of his sons, Isaac,--from among his sons, Jacob,--and from among the twelve sons …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Nature of Covenanting.
A covenant is a mutual voluntary compact between two parties on given terms or conditions. It may be made between superiors and inferiors, or between equals. The sentiment that a covenant can be made only between parties respectively independent of one another is inconsistent with the testimony of Scripture. Parties to covenants in a great variety of relative circumstances, are there introduced. There, covenant relations among men are represented as obtaining not merely between nation and nation, …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Covenanting Confers Obligation.
As it has been shown that all duty, and that alone, ought to be vowed to God in covenant, it is manifest that what is lawfully engaged to in swearing by the name of God is enjoined in the moral law, and, because of the authority of that law, ought to be performed as a duty. But it is now to be proved that what is promised to God by vow or oath, ought to be performed also because of the act of Covenanting. The performance of that exercise is commanded, and the same law which enjoins that the duties …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Introduction. Chapter i. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers.
St. Hilary of Poitiers is one of the greatest, yet least studied, of the Fathers of the Western Church. He has suffered thus, partly from a certain obscurity in his style of writing, partly from the difficulty of the thoughts which he attempted to convey. But there are other reasons for the comparative neglect into which he has fallen. He learnt his theology, as we shall see, from Eastern authorities, and was not content to carry on and develop the traditional teaching of the West; and the disciple …
St. Hilary of Poitiers—The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers

Annunciation of the Birth of Jesus.
(at Nazareth, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke I. 26-38. ^c 26 Now in the sixth month [this is the passage from which we learn that John was six months older than Jesus] the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth [Luke alone tells us where Mary lived before the birth of Jesus. That Nazareth was an unimportant town is shown by the fact that it is mentioned nowhere in the Old Testament, nor in the Talmud, nor in Josephus, who mentions two hundred four towns and cities of Galilee. The …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Departure from Ireland. Death and Burial at Clairvaux.
[Sidenote: 1148, May (?)] 67. (30). Being asked once, in what place, if a choice were given him, he would prefer to spend his last day--for on this subject the brothers used to ask one another what place each would select for himself--he hesitated, and made no reply. But when they insisted, he said, "If I take my departure hence[821] I shall do so nowhere more gladly than whence I may rise together with our Apostle"[822]--he referred to St. Patrick; "but if it behoves me to make a pilgrimage, and …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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