Song Deep Dive: Psalm 132 (My Anointed One)
About Psalm 132
Psalm 132 shows us that when the LORD blesses, He gives far more than we could ever ask for. David wanted to build a house for the Ark of the Covenant, a permanent place for God’s presence. God said no, but then He gave David something far greater. He promised to build David a house, a lasting dynasty, and to raise up an Anointed King who would reign forever.
There was a condition for David’s sons, but they did not remain faithful. Still, God kept His promise. He sent Jesus Christ, the true Messiah and faithful King.
This psalm also points to the Ark, which rested in the Holy of Holies and could only be approached by the high priest once a year. Through Jesus, we now have access to God at all times. The Holy Spirit who once dwelled behind the veil now lives in every believer.
David wanted a place for God’s presence to rest. God answered by making His home in us. Psalm 132 invites us to marvel at this grace, thank God for His faithfulness, and praise the Anointed One who fulfills every promise.
Psalm 132
A song of ascents.
1 Lord, remember David
and all his self-denial.
2 He swore an oath to the Lord,
he made a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:
3 “I will not enter my house
or go to my bed,
4 I will allow no sleep to my eyes
or slumber to my eyelids,
5 till I find a place for the Lord,
a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”
6 We heard it in Ephrathah,
we came upon it in the fields of Jaar:[a]
7 “Let us go to his dwelling place,
let us worship at his footstool, saying,
8 ‘Arise, Lord, and come to your resting place,
you and the ark of your might.
9 May your priests be clothed with your righteousness;
may your faithful people sing for joy.’”
10 For the sake of your servant David,
do not reject your anointed one.
11 The Lord swore an oath to David,
a sure oath he will not revoke:
“One of your own descendants
I will place on your throne.
12 If your sons keep my covenant
and the statutes I teach them,
then their sons will sit
on your throne for ever and ever.”
13 For the Lord has chosen Zion,
he has desired it for his dwelling, saying,
14 “This is my resting place for ever and ever;
here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it.
15 I will bless her with abundant provisions;
her poor I will satisfy with food.
16 I will clothe her priests with salvation,
and her faithful people will ever sing for joy.
17 “Here I will make a horn[b] grow for David
and set up a lamp for my anointed one.
18 I will clothe his enemies with shame,
but his head will be adorned with a radiant crown.”
Stephen's Thoughts
This was the final Song of Ascents I wrote music for. I did not write them in order, but Psalm 132 felt different from the very beginning. Since it points so clearly to Jesus, I wanted the music to feel majestic and set apart from the others. The guitar finger-tapping took time to figure out, yet it created a unique sound that, I hope, gives glory to the Anointed One.
After singing together for more than 20 years, I immediately knew I wanted my very tall friend Everett Lowe to sing with me. Blending his tenor with my baritone felt right, and it added something special to the song. My voice was lower than usual that day since I was fighting a cold, but the contrast ended up making the harmony even richer.
Listen to Psalm 132 (My Anointed One)
Musical Credits
Stephen Vesolich (Vocals, Guitar)
Everett Lowe (Vocals)
Charlie Modro (Djembe)
Ariel Goehring (Cello)
Lyrics
The LORD, swore an oath to David, to David
A sure oath, He’ll not revoke: to David to David
“One of your own descendants I will place on your throne
If your sons keep my covenant, and statutes I teach them
Then their sons will sit on your throne for ever and ever.
For the LORD has chosen Zion for His dwelling
Saying, This is my resting place for ever and ever;
I will bless her and clothe her with salvation
Her faithful people will ever sing for joy.
“Here I will make a horn grow for David. And set up a lamp for My Anointed One.
My anointed one. My anointed one. My anointed one
I will clothe his enemies with shame, with shame
but the crown on His head will shine like the sun
“Here I will make a horn grow for David. And set up a lamp for My Anointed One.
My anointed one. My anointed one. My anointed one”
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