Log inSign up

Favor · the best way to learn the Bible

Psalm 132 Bible study: Two oaths

Psalm 132 is two oaths. David swore he wouldn't sleep until he found a place for the LORD (132:2-5); then "The LORD has sworn to David in truth" (132:11), with the same Hebrew verb. And the LORD's answer takes up the prayer's own words: the priests the prayer asked to be clothed with righteousness (132:9), he will clothe with salvation (132:16).

Favor is a Bible study app that explains every chapter as you read: the words behind the words, what most readers miss, and how it all leads to Jesus.

Start your free weekWhat is Favor?

First week free, then $10 a month per person

“The LORD has sworn to David in truth. He will not turn from it: “I will set the fruit of your body on your throne.”
Psalm 132:11 · World English Bible

Try it · Did you catch it?

“In Psalm 132, both David and the LORD swear an oath.”

Is that in Psalm 132, or not? Make your call.

What's really going on

Two oaths

In the text

The psalm's title is "A Song of Ascents" (132:1), one of fifteen psalms in a row with that title, from Psalm 120 to Psalm 134 (Psalm 120's notes say more about it; tap Ascents). The title names no one, but the psalm's first line does: "LORD, remember David and all his affliction" (132:1). Then it tells "how he swore to the LORD, and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob" (132:2) (tap swore and Mighty One), and gives the oath: "Surely I will not come into the structure of my house, nor go up into my bed; I will not give sleep to my eyes, or slumber to my eyelids, until I find out a place for the LORD, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob" (132:3-5). Halfway through, a second oath comes, the other way round: "The LORD has sworn to David in truth. He will not turn from it" (132:11). In Hebrew swore and has sworn are the same verb. David swore to the LORD; the LORD swore to David.

Honest questions

Questions people ask about Psalm 132

That was a taste

The rest of Psalm 132 is waiting in Favor

  • The answer uses the prayer's words
  • A place for the LORD
  • Solomon's prayer ends with these words
  • The oath, on the day of Pentecost
  • A horn, a lamp and a crown
  • 10 questions as you read
  • 12 more Hebrew words
  • A short check at the end
  • Your notes, saved as you go
Start your free week

Favor reads the Bible in order, so you'll reach Psalm 132 with everything before it in view. First week free, then $10 a month per person.

The Hebrew word behind it

שָׁבַעshavasay sha-VA

Brown-Driver-Briggs: "swear", and in the form used here, "swear, take an oath". The psalm has it twice, once for each oath: David "swore to the LORD" (132:2), and "The LORD has sworn to David in truth" (132:11). In Hebrew 132:11 opens with three words, has sworn, the LORD's name and to David, and Abner says the same three: "as the LORD has sworn to David" (2 Samuel 3:9). Psalm 89 has the verb three times for the LORD's oath to David (Psalm 89:3, 89:35, 89:49), and its notes follow it there.

For your group

Psalm 132 Bible study questions

  1. 1David swore he wouldn't go to bed or sleep (132:3-4) "until I find out a place for the LORD" (132:5). What would it look like to make room for God in your week before anything else?
  2. 2"The LORD has sworn to David in truth. He will not turn from it" (132:11). Which of God's promises do you find hardest to trust right now, and why?
  3. 3The prayer asked for the priests to be clothed with righteousness (132:9); the answer promised salvation (132:16). When has God answered you in a way you didn't expect?

Leading a group? In Favor, everyone reads Psalm 132 during the week and answers these questions privately. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together, and you can print the week's sheet.

Start a Bible study
Free quizTake the Psalm 132 quizQuestions with the answers explained, for your group or your familyFree printablePrint this Bible studyOne page: the chapter, the verse, and the questions with room to write

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions

What is Favor?

Favor is a Bible study app that explains every chapter as you read: the Hebrew and Greek behind the words, the details most readers miss, and how each part of the Bible leads to Jesus. Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church.

How much does it cost?

Your first week is free. After that it's $10 a month per person, the same for everyone, including groups and churches. There are no tiers and nothing extra to unlock.

Can I read Psalm 132 straight away?

Favor takes the Bible as one story, in order, so you'll reach Psalm 132 with everything that leads up to it in view. Start from Genesis, or meet Jesus first in the Gospels. You can read the text of any chapter in Favor's Look up whenever you like.

Do I need a group?

No. Many people read on their own. If you'd like to read with others, start a Bible study and share one link. Everyone's answers stay private until you meet.

I've never really read the Bible. Is this for me?

Yes. Favor starts where you are and explains as it goes. The questions along the way aren't marked right or wrong: you answer, then see what the text shows.

Which Bible does Favor use?

The World English Bible, a modern, readable translation in the public domain. God's name appears as "the LORD", as in most English Bibles.

Is Favor tied to a church?

No. Favor is non-denominational. Where Christians read a passage differently, it shows the main views side by side and doesn't pick one.

Start with Psalm 132

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

All Bible study guides

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Hebrew and Greek words are checked against the original-language texts and public-domain lexicons. What we believe · Favor home