Psalm 132


Psalm 132 is the 132nd psalm of the biblical Book of Psalms. The Book of Psalms is the third section of the Hebrew Bible and a book of the Christian Old Testament. In the Greek Septuagint version of the bible, and in its Latin translation in the Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 131 in a slightly different numbering system. It is the longest of 15 psalms which begin with the words "A song of ascents".

Text

This psalm has 18 verses. The New Revised Standard Version associates it with "the Eternal Dwelling of God in Zion". The Jerusalem Bible describes it as a "messianic hymn" and an "anniversary hymn" recalling the finding and translation of the Ark of the Covenant, which are recounted in 1 Samuel 6 and 2 Samuel 6 in the Hebrew Bible. The words of verse 6, "we heard of it in Ephrathah", refer to the ark.

Uses

Judaism

As St. Benedict of Nursia mostly attributed the last psalms to the vespers offices, this Psalm 132 was traditionally sung during the celebration of Vespers on Tuesday, according to the Rule of Saint Benedict, fixed at 530.
In the current Liturgy of the Hours, Psalm 132 is recited at the Office of Readings on the Saturday of the first week, and at Vespers on the Thursday of the third week. It is separated into two parts. In the liturgy of the Mass it is read for the feast of the Assumption.

Musical settings