Psalms 132:7-9
“Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool!” Arise, O LORD, and go to your resting place, you and the ark of your might. Let your priests be clothed with righteousness, and let your saints shout for joy.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse isn't just about going to a building; it's about a deliberate choice to approach God at His "footstool." This specifically refers to the Ark of the Covenant, the earthly symbol of God's presence, emphasizing that worship is directed not just at a place, but at God Himself, who condescends to meet us there.
The psalm recalls David's deep desire to build a permanent dwelling for God's presence, contrasting it with a time when the Ark of the Covenant was lost or neglected. This verse expresses the people's renewed commitment to worship, anticipating the Ark's re-establishment in Jerusalem, the chosen city, as God's sacred "footstool" where His presence would reside.
The verse mentions worshipping at God's 'footstool.' What exactly does that mean in ancient Israel?
In this verse, the 'footstool' points to the Ark of the Covenant. Think of it like this: when a king or a divine being was depicted on their throne, their feet would rest on something symbolic. In Israel's case, the Ark, which housed the stone tablets of the Law and represented God's presence among His people, served as His footstool.
This imagery highlights a crucial concept: God's presence is made real and accessible to His people, but He is also transcendent – far above all earthly things. The Ark was a tangible sign of where God met His people, yet it also pointed to His heavenly dwelling.
This wasn't just a decoration; it was the focal point for worship, a place where the Israelites could approach the Almighty.
The verse uses the phrase 'Let us go...' What does this 'us' reveal about worship?
This verse isn't just a personal invitation; it's a communal call to worship. The repeated 'Let us...' indicates a collective decision and exhortation among the people of Israel.
Imagine the scene: after a period of the Ark being in different locations, perhaps neglected or distant, there's a renewed commitment. The people are rallying each other, saying, 'Come on, let's go to God's dwelling place! Let's worship together at His sacred footstool.'
This emphasizes that worship is meant to be a shared experience. It's about a community gathering with a unified purpose to honor God, re-establishing a connection that might have been lost.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
A Hebrew term for God's personal, covenant-keeping name. It signifies His eternal nature, faithfulness, and self-existence.
mishkan · Hebrew Noun
A place where God resides among His people, most commonly referring to the Tabernacle or the Temple. It symbolizes God's presence, holiness, and the place where humanity interacts with the divine.
chavah · Hebrew Verb
An act of bowing down or prostrating oneself before God, signifying humble submission, reverence, and adoration. It recognizes God's absolute sovereignty and worthiness.
hadom · Hebrew Noun
Often identified as the Ark of the Covenant or the Temple floor, it represents the point where heaven touches earth, emphasizing God's transcendence and the humble posture required of those approaching Him.
This psalm reflects the joy and renewed devotion following the triumphant bringing of the Ark to Jerusalem by David, marking a pivotal moment when Israel's worship could be centralized and God's presence visibly honored.
c. 1050 BC
Ark Captured by Philistines
During a battle, the Ark of the Covenant is captured by the Philistines, a devastating loss symbolizing God's apparent absence or judgment.
c. 1042 BC
Ark Returned to Israel
After suffering plagues, the Philistines return the Ark to Israel, but it is not brought to Jerusalem. Instead, it resides at Kirjath-jearim for about 20 years.
c. 1010 BC— this verse
David Brings Ark to Jerusalem
King David successfully brings the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, establishing it as the religious and political center of Israel. This fulfills his deep desire to honor God.
c. 1010 BC
David Plans for a Temple
David resolves to build a permanent house for God in Jerusalem, though he is not permitted to build it himself.
This passage also calls the Ark God's footstool, reinforcing the imagery of the Ark as the earthly representation of God's presence and throne.
1 Chronicles 28:2King David expresses his desire to build a permanent dwelling for the Ark of the Covenant, which is described as God's footstool, linking the Ark to a fixed place of worship.
Exodus 25:22This verse describes God meeting with Israel above the mercy seat on the Ark of the Covenant, highlighting it as the specific place where His presence would dwell among them.
Isaiah 66:1The prophet Isaiah declares that heaven is God's throne and the earth is His footstool, providing a broader cosmic perspective on the imagery used in Psalm 132:7.
Matthew 5:35Jesus teaches not to swear by the earth, calling it the footstool of God, which echoes the understanding of the earth as God's place of presence, similar to the Ark in the Old Testament.
cambridgePsalms 132:7: "We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool."
7 . Let us go into his dwelling place, Let us worship at the footstool of his feet. This is the mutual exhortation of the Israelites to come and worship in the ‘dwelling place’ ( Psalm 132:5 ) which David had resolved to prepare, before the Ark. Jehovah’s footstool may mean His sanctuary, as in Psalm 99:5 ; but here more probably, as in 1 Chronicles 28:2 , the Ark is meant. As He is enthroned upon the Cherubim, t…
pulpitPsalms 132:7: "We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool."
Verse 7. - We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool. The transfer is regarded as accomplished, and the worship as re-established, which had been intermitted while the ark was at Kirjath-jearim.
This verse isn't just about going to a building; it's about a deliberate choice to approach God at His "footstool." This specifically refers to the Ark of the Covenant, the earthly symbol of God's presence, emphasizing that worship is directed not just at a place, but at God Himself, who condescends to meet us there.
The psalm recalls David's deep desire to build a permanent dwelling for God's presence, contrasting it with a time when the Ark of the Covenant was lost or neglected. This verse expresses the people's renewed commitment to worship, anticipating the Ark's re-establishment in Jerusalem, the chosen city, as God's sacred "footstool" where His presence would reside.
The psalm recalls David's deep desire to build a permanent dwelling for God's presence, contrasting it with a time when the Ark of the Covenant was lost or neglected. This verse expresses the people's renewed commitment to worship, anticipating the Ark's re-establishment in Jerusalem, the chosen city, as God's sacred "footstool" where His presence would reside.
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aron · Hebrew Noun
The wooden chest containing the tablets of the Law, serving as the visible sign of God's covenant presence and the throne of His earthly manifestation.
oz · Hebrew Noun
A biblical metaphor for the manifestation of God’s supreme power, authority, and saving intervention on behalf of His people.
kohen · Hebrew Noun
Those consecrated to perform ritual service before God; they represent the bridge between God and the people, and are called to uphold holiness and moral integrity.
tsedaqah · Hebrew Noun
The state of being in a right relationship with God, characterized by moral uprightness, integrity, and adherence to His revealed standard of conduct.
chasid · Hebrew Noun
Those who have experienced God's covenant love (hesed) and respond with faithful devotion, belonging uniquely to Him and set apart for His purposes.
c. 960 BC
Solomon Builds the Temple
David's son, Solomon, builds the magnificent Temple in Jerusalem to house the Ark, fulfilling David's vision and establishing a central place of worship.
"“Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool!” Arise, O LORD, and go to your resting place, you and the ark of your might. Let your priests be clothed with righteousness, and let your saints sho…" — This verse isn't just about going to a building; it's about a deliberate choice to approach God at His "footstool." This specifically refers to the Ark of the Covenant, the earthly symbol of God's pr…
