The author and occasion for this Psalm are not mentioned in the Bible. However, the context suggests the setting may have been when the tabernacle was brought to Jerusalem during David’s reign. In the first half of this passage, we see that David was obsessed with finding a permanent dwelling place for the Lord. After many years of dwelling in a traveling tabernacle, David was convinced God deserved better and was willing to do whatever it took to make it happen.
“I will not enter my house or get into my bed, I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, until I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob” (Psalm 132:3-5).
By describing him as a man after God’s own heart, the Bible tells us David was in close relationship with God. The kind of relationship marked by putting others’ needs ahead of your own. Can you identify? Are you in a relationship that is so close you prioritize others’ needs ahead of your own? If yes, consider yourself very fortunate. Relationships that close are rare and seldom exist outside of a family. I would love to say I’m good at this, but I’m not. Case in point – I’m writing this post today from the parking lot outside of the Orange Leaf frozen yogurt shop where I wait for my daughter. Putting someone else’s needs ahead of mine today looked like 4 trips to/from the pool, a trip to/from Orange Leaf, a trip to/from the park, then home to make dinner. This certainly isn’t how I planned to spend my day. I was willing to do it, however, because I know my 14 year old daughter needs every opportunity to get summer off on the right foot after 15 long months of COVID isolation. Did I put her needs ahead of mine today? Yes. But I’m tired and did I do it without grumbling at least a little bit? No.
As I think about my life and my relationship with God, I am humbled today. Despite occasionally putting others’ first, I am not capable of “outgiving” God. He created me and continually provides for my needs. Even though I am undeserving, he continues to provide for me and my family. Most importantly, he sent Jesus to make a way for me to spend eternity with him. Thank you Lord.