Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah. We found it in the field of Jaar:
Parallel Translations
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Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah. We found it in the field of Jaar:
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Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood.
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Lo, we heard of it as being in Ephrath; we found it in the field of the wood.
Cross-references (6)
Passages linked to Psalms 132:6 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- 1 Samuel 7:1 The men of Kiriath Jearim came and took Yahweh’s ark, and brought it into Abinadab’s house on the hill, and consecrated Eleazar his son to keep Yahweh’s ark.
- 1 Samuel 17:12 Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehem Judah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons. The man was an elderly old man in the days of Saul.
- Micah 5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, being small among the clans of Judah, out of you one will come out to me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings out are from of old, from ancient times.
- Genesis 35:19 Rachel died, and was buried on the way to Ephrath (also called Bethlehem).
- Ruth 1:2 The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi. The names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Judah. They came into the country of Moab and lived there.
- 1 Chronicles 13:5-6 So David assembled all Israel together, from the Shihor the brook of Egypt even to the entrance of Hamath, to bring God’s ark from Kiriath Jearim. David went up with all Israel to Baalah, that is, to Kiriath Jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up from there God Yahweh’s ark that sits above the cherubim, that is called by the Name.
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John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain 6. Lo! we heard of it at Ephratha. This…
6. Lo! we heard of it at Ephratha. This verse is obscure, and we need not wonder at the difficulty which interpreters have felt in ascertaining its meaning. First, the relative pronoun That is, the objective affix ה, which appears at each of the verbs in this verse, and which is translated it. By some it is thought that the antecedent is ארון, aron, ark, which, although it is generally masculine, is yet sometimes feminine, as in 1 Samuel 4:17; 2 Chronicles 8:11. Such is the opinion of Dr. Lightfoot, who explains the verse thus: “We heard of it (the ark) in Ephratah, (that is, Shiloh,) a city of Ephraim; we found it in the fields of the wood, that is in Kirjath-jearim. 1 Samuel 7:1,” etc. (Lightfoot’s Chorogr. Cent., c. 45.) Others consider the הto refer to habitations, in the preceding verse; and though that noun is in the plural, it is, as noticed in a preceding note, put by enallage for the singular. Rosenmuller thinks this opinion — which is the one adopted by Calvin — the more probable and no doubt at first sight the most obvious meaning is, that the pronoun it refers to the spot which David had discovered as a suitable place on which to erect the house of God. Walford, indeed, objects that “this cannot be intended, because the site of the Temple was neither at Ephratah, nor in the fields of the wood, or of Jaar;” and he gives at some length an ingenious explanation of this difficult passage, extracted chiefly from the German writer Tilingius. This objection, it will be perceived, is removed by one of the expositions suggested by Calvin, which supposes that the allusion is first to a report of Ephratha being the place where the Temple was to be built; and next to the certain information which the people of Israel afterwards obtained that Jerusalem was the spot which God himself had selected. Whether this however is the correct explanation of the verse, it is not so easy to determine.
Bethlehem, the place of David’s nativity, is called Ephratha in Genesis 35:19.
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain The common bruit was that the Ark should remain…
The common bruit was that the Ark should remain in Ephrathah, that is, in Bethlehem a plentiful place: but after we perceived that thou wouldest place it in Jerusalem, which was barren as a forest, and compassed about only with hills.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain Psa 132:6 Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah:…
Psa 132:6 Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood.
Ver. 6. Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah] At Bethlehem Ephratah, David’s birth place, there we heard of it long since by our progenitors. "Of it," that is, of the ark, saith Chrysostom; of God’s resting place, saith Austin; of the place where Christ should be born, saith Jerome; where the temple should be set, saith Aben Ezra; where the Shechinah, or Divine presence should reside, say other Rabbis, Dicit eam in foemin, i.e. diviuam praesentiam (R. Arama).
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We found it in the fields of the wood] At Jerusalem, say some; or at Kirjathjearim, as others will have it. The Chaldee interpreteth it of the wood of Libanus; the place, saith he, where the patriarchs worshipped.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain We heard of it; of the place or habitation…
We heard of it; of the place or habitation for the Lord last mentioned.
At Ephratah; either,
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1. In Bethlehem, which is called Ephratah, Gen 35:19; 48:7; Mic 5:2. So the sense is either this, We heard a rumour at Bethlehem among David’s relations, that the ark should be removed to a new place, and that David had pitched upon it; or this, We heard that Bethlehem would be the place for it, because it was the city of David. Or rather,
2. In the tribe of Ephraim, which was called also Ephratah or Ephrathah, as is manifest, because the men of Ephraim were called Ephrathites, as Jdg 12:5, in the Hebrew text, though in the English it be Ephraimite. So Jeroboam is called an Ephrathite, 1Ki 11:26. So the sense is, We heard it from our fathers, that the ancient place of it was Shiloh, which was in the land of Ephraim; whereby he covertly intimates that God rejected and forsook that place, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim, as it is said, Psa 78:67, that so he might make way for Zion, which was the place chosen by God for it, as it follows here, Psa 132:13.
We found it; afterwards we found it elsewhere.
In the fields of the wood, i.e. in a field, or in one of the fields of the wood; for that little spot of ground in which the tabernacle or temple was built was not likely to be in several fields. Thus Jephthah was buried in the cities of Gilead, Jdg 12:7, i.e. in one of them. This is meant either,
1. Of the Mount Moriah, which might possibly be called the field of the wood, as being anciently a place full of wood, Gen 22:13, or of the threshing-floor of Araunah, of which see 2Sa 24:18, which before the building of the temple is said to have been a woody place. Or rather,
2. Of Kirjath-jearim, which signifies a city of woods, in the field or territory whereof the ark was seated for twenty years, as we read, 1Sa 7:1,2. And from this place it was removed to Zion, 2Sa 6:1, &c.
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John Gill 1763 · Public Domain Arise, O Lord, into thy rest,.... Which words, and…
Arise, O Lord, into thy rest,.... Which words, and what follow, were used by Solomon at the dedication of the temple; and with which he concluded his prayer, Ch2 6:41; and so may be a request to the Lord, that he would take up his residence in the temple built for him, where he would have a firm and stable place of rest; who, from the time of Israel's coming out of Egypt, had not dwelt in a house; but had walked in a tent or tabernacle from place to place, Sa2 6:6; and that he would take up his abode in his church, the antitype of the temple, and rest in his love there, and cause his people to rest also; see Psa 132:13;
thou, and the ark of thy strength; the Targum is,
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"thou, and the ark in which is thy law.''
This is sometimes called the strength of the Lord; because by it he showed his great strength in destroying the enemies of his people, the Philistines and others; see Psa 78:61. It was a type of Christ, who is the power of God, and the mighty God; and, as man, made strong by the Lord; and, as Mediator, has all strength in him for his people. And so the words may be considered as a request to him, either to arise and enter into his rest in heaven, having done his work of redemption and salvation here on earth, for which he became incarnate; or to grant his presence with his church, and take up his rest there, and give them spiritual peace and rest for their souls.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain It - Of the ark. Ephratah - In the…
It - Of the ark. Ephratah - In the tribe of Ephraim, which was called also Ephratah. Found it - Afterwards we found it in Kirjath- jearim, which signifies a city of woods, in the territory whereof the ark was seated for twenty years.
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Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 6. Lo, we have heard of it at…
Verse 6. Lo, we have heard of it at Ephratah] This may be considered as a continuation of David's vow, as if he had said: As I had determined to build a temple for the ark, and heard that it was at Ephratah, I went and found it in the fields of Jaar, יער; - not the wood, but Kirjath Jaar or Jearim, where the ark was then lodged;-and having found it, he entered the tabernacle, Ps 132:7; and then, adoring that God whose presence was in it, he invited him to arise and come to the place which he had prepared for him.
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Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain Psa 132:6. Lo, we have heard of it —…
Psa 132:6. Lo, we have heard of it — The ark, or of the place or habitation for the Lord last mentioned; at Ephratah — That is, at Shiloh, in the tribe of Ephraim, there they were told it had been, but it was gone; they found it at last in the fields of the wood — That is, in Kirjath-jearim, which signifies, the city of woods. Thence all Israel fetched it, with great solemnity, in the beginning of David’s reign, 1Ch 13:6; so that, in preparing this place for the ark, he gratified all Israel, they needed not to go about to seek it any more: they now knew where to find it. Some learned men, however, being of opinion that Jerusalem, which was at no great distance from Bethlehem, was within the district called Ephratah, give a different interpretation of this verse, and consider the psalmist as speaking of having found the place on which the temple was to be fixed. Thus Bishop Patrick: “And now, behold the Lord himself, to our great joy, hath told us the very place where he will fix his habitation, in the territory of Bethlehem, Ephratah: (Gen 35:16; Gen 35:19,) in the fields of that forest where the angel stood and directed David to build an altar unto the Lord, 1Ch 21:18; 1Ch 22:1.”
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Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah - Most…
Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah - Most probably this is the language of the contemporaries of David; or this is what they might be supposed to say; or this is what tradition reports that they did say. David’s purpose, as referred to in the previous verses, is not recorded in the history, and the memory of the whole transaction may have been handed down by tradition. Or, this may be merely poetic language, expressing the feelings of those who, when sent out by David, or accompanying him, found the ark. Much difficulty has been felt in regard to this verse. There is no mention in the history of the fact that the ark was “heard of” at Ephrata, or that it was ever there. The name Ephrata - אפרתה 'ephrâthâh - is applied
(1) to a region of country to which was subsequently given the name Bethlehem, Gen 35:16-19; Rth 4:11.
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(2) Properly to Bethlehem, a city of Judah, the full name of which was Bethlehem-Ephratah, Gen 48:7; Mic 5:2.
(3) It is a proper name, 1Ch 2:19, 1Ch 2:50; 1Ch 4:4.
(4) It may perhaps be the same as Ephraim.
Compare Jdg 12:5; 1Sa 1:1; 1Ki 11:26. Some have supposed the meaning to be, that they found it within the limits of the tribe of Ephraim, and that the word Ephratah is used here with reference to that; but this is a forced construction. It may have been indeed true that the ark was found within the limits of that tribe, but the word Ephratah would not naturally denote this; and, besides, the tribe of Ephraim was so large, and covered such an extent of territory, that this would convey no distinct information; and it cannot be supposed that the writer meant to say merely that they found it within the limits of a tribe. Nor can it mean that they actually found the ark at Ephrata, or Bethlehem, for this would not be true. A simple and natural interpretation of the passage has been suggested, which seems to make it plain: that, in their search for the ark, it was at Ephratah or Bethlehem that they first heard of it, but that they actually found it in the fields of the wood. It may seem strange that there should have been so much uncertainty about the ark as is here implied; that David did not know where it was; and that none of the priests knew. But, while it must be admitted that it seems to be strange, and that the fact is not of easy explanation, it is to he remembered that the ark was at one time in the possession of the Philistines; that when it was retaken it seems to have had no very permanent resting place; that it may have been removed from one spot to another as circumstances required; that it may have been committed now to one, and now to another, for safe keeping; and thus it might have occurred, in the unsettled and agitated state of affairs, that its exact situation might be unknown, and that a somewhat diligent search was necessary in order to find it We know too little of the times to enable us to pronounce upon the subject with much confidence.
We found it in the fields of the wood - Continuing our search, we found it there. Perhaps Kirjath-jearim, 1Sa 7:1; 1Ch 13:5. It was to Kirjath-jearim that the ark was carried after it had been taken by the Philistines 1Sa 6:21. The literal meaning of the passage here is, “The fields of the wood” - or of Jear, where the word in Hebrew is the same as in Kirjath-jearim. The name Kirjath-jearim means Forest Town, or, city of the woods; and the allusion here is the same as in 1Sa 7:1. The interpretation, then, seems to be that they heard of the ark, or learned where it was, when they were at Ephrata or Bethlehem; but that they actually found it in the vicinity of Kirjath-jearim. The ignorance in the case may have been merely in regard to the exact place or house where it was at that time kept. Bethlehem was the home or city of David, and the idea is, that, when there, and when it was contemplated to remove the ark to Mount Zion, information or intelligence was brought there of its exact locality, and they went forth to bring it to its new abode or its permanent resting place.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain 6. Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah—Although “of”…
6. Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah—Although “of” is not in the original, yet the sense requires it, as in the similar form in Jer_46:12, “The nations have heard thy shame,” they have heard “of” thy shame. That Ephratah is Bethlehem is certain from Mic_5:2; Gen_48:7; Rth_4:11. Some suppose it to be the same as “Caleb Ephratah,” a place in the tribe of Ephraim, so called after Caleb and Ephrath his wife. 1Ch_2:19-24. Gesenius thinks it the same as Ephraim. But either view is too improbable to be entertained. Hengstenberg has given the only intelligible explanation to this obscure clause. The suffix pronoun “we” must be understood of David and the people when the former was yet a youth. The feminine suffix, rendered “it,” which is the object of the verbs heard and found, has “ark” for its original, not mentioned till Psa_132:8, but here poetically anticipated, and all along implied as the theme of the psalm, especially in Psa_132:5, in the phrases “place for the Lord,” “tabernacles for the mighty God of Jacob.” It must be considered that the ark was at Kirjath-jearim about eighty years, (eighty-two, according to Dr. Hale,) from the judicature of Eli (l Samuel Psa_7:1) to the eleventh year of David’s reign. During all the reign of Saul (who was remiss as to this matter) no access was had to it. 1Ch_13:3. The people knew of it only by report. See notes on Psa_88:9-10; Psa_88:16-18. The clause should read, “We, in Ephratah, heard of it” [the ark.] The form is analogous to Mat_2:2, “We have seen his star in the East,” that is, “We in the East have seen,” etc.
We found it in the fields of the wood— Jaar, here rendered “wood,” is to be taken as a proper name, same as the plural Jearim, a poetical abbreviation of Kirjath-jearim, the forest city, or city of groves, where David found the ark. 1Ch_13:5-6
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The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 6. The abruptness of the transition is at first…
6. The abruptness of the transition is at first sight perplexing; but instead of giving a prosaic account of the transportation of the Ark to Zion, the Psalmist introduces the people of David’s time as speakers, proclaiming the eagerness and joy with which they welcomed David’s proposal, and their resolve to worship Jehovah in His new sanctuary. The removal of the Ark was a national movement. See 2Sa_6:2; 2Sa_6:15; 1Ch_13:1 ff; 1Ch_15:28.
It may best be explained to mean the Ark, as the great object which the poet has in mind, though it is not actually mentioned till Psa_132:8. It might mean the tidings or the plan, but this sense does not suit the verb found, nor is it easy to connect it with the designations of place.
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But what is meant by we heard of it in Ephrathah, we found it in the fields of the forest? (1) Elsewhere Ephrathah is a name for Bethlehem (Gen_35:16; Gen_35:19; Gen_48:7; Rth_4:11 : cp. Mic_5:2; 1Sa_17:12). But the Ark never had any connexion with Bethlehem. To refer we to David, and to explain, ‘I heard of it while I was still in my home in Bethlehem,’ is forced, and leaves the transition from the sing. in Psa_132:3-5 to the plural unexplained. (2) It has been thought that Ephrathah may mean Ephraim, as Ephrathite means Ephraimite (1Sa_1:1), and that the reference is to the sojourn of the Ark at Shiloh. ‘We heard that the Ark was in Shiloh in the days of old, but when we sought it, it was no longer there, but in an obscure refuge in the fields of the forest.’ (3) Delitzsch ingeniously argues that Ephrathah was a name for the district in which Kiriath-jearim was situated. The firstborn son of Caleb’s wife Ephrath was Hur (1Ch_2:19), who is called ‘the father’ of Bethlehem (1Ch_4:4). Hur’s son Shobal was ‘the father’ of Kiriath-jearim, and his son Salma the ‘father’ of Bethlehem (1Ch_2:50-51). May not the district of Kiriath-jearim have been called Ephrathah, as well as that of Bethlehem? This is perhaps the best explanation; for there can be little doubt that the fields of the forest (jaar) mean the neighbourhood of Kiriath-jearim, ‘the city of forests,’ where the Ark had rested for many years in the house of Abinadab (1Sa_7:1-2), and still was, when David resolved to remove it to Zion (1Ch_13:5-6). It should be noticed that the narrative in 1Sa_7:1 ff. implies that the Ark was not actually in the town, but in its neighbourhood.
The suggestion that Ephrathah means the fertile plains, and the fields of the forest the uncultivated jungle, and that the meaning is, ‘the news of David’s plan spread through field and forest,’ i.e. all over the country, is far-fetched and improbable.
6–10. The enthusiasm of Israel at the establishment of the sanctuary in Jerusalem (6, 7); their prayer that Jehovah will deign to occupy it, and will bless priests, people, and king (8–10).
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (6) Lo, we heard.—This verse has been pronounced inexplicable,…
(6) Lo, we heard.—This verse has been pronounced inexplicable, and yet the general intention is clear. The vow in which David declared his purpose has just been quoted, and that which is now said to have been heard and found can hardly be anything else than this purpose. In fact, the feminine suffix to the verbs points directly back to the word rendered afflictions in Psa_132:1, which is really a feminine form. This being settled, we need not go from the plain direction of such places as Gen_35:19; Gen_48:7; Rth_4:11; Mic_5:2, which pronounce the identity of Ephratah with Bethlehem, to seek any other locality which might possibly be so called. David’s purpose would naturally be connected—especially after a long lapse of time—with the birthplace of his family. But though taking this poetical licence, the psalm keeps sufficiently close to history as to recognise in the discovery of the Ark at Kirjath-jearim an important, nay, a decisive step in the project of building the Temple. Though his purpose may not have been even dimly defined to David when he moved the Ark, history justly sees in that momentous change the initial step in the grander undertaking. That “the fields of the wood” (Heb., sedey-yâ‘ar) is one designation of Kirjath-jearim (city of Yaarim, which went by so many names: Jer_26:20; Ezr_2:25; Jos_15:10-11) there can be little doubt. We must not, of course, think here of David’s contemporaries, but of those of the psalmist, who poetically are represented as taking important part in the early plans for building the Temple—just as we might say, speaking of our old cathedrals, “we built fine churches in those days.” The poet makes them say, identifying themselves with the people of those distant times, while naturally the historical correctness suffers, “We heard his project at Bethlehem; we found out its meaning (saw it take shape) at Kirjath-jearim.” For mâtsâ, in the sense of “finding out the meaning or discerning,” see Jdg_14:12, “of a riddle.” This sentence reminds one of a riddle by its form.
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The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain Vers. 6-10. The realization of David"s design. The resting-place…
Vers. 6-10. The realization of David"s design. The resting-place is, after a time, discovered and prepared. The ark is brought up and placed in it. (1Ki_8:1-11) The "priests" are" clothed with righteousness," and the "saints shout for joy." God "turns not away the face of his anointed," but accepts the costly offering. God himself "arises into his rest," and makes his presence visible from the mercy-seat. (1Ki_8:10, 11 2Ch_5:13, 2Ch_5:14)
Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah. "It" is probably "the ark not yet mentioned, but a main object of the writer"s thoughts; and "Ephratah" is the district south and west of Jerusalem, in which both Bethlehem and Kirjath-jearim were situated. And found it in the fields of the wood; rather, in the fields of Jaar. "Jaar" is a contracted and poetic name for Kirjath-jearim, where the ark remained from its return out of the country of the Philistines till David transferred it to Jerusalem. (1Ch_13:5-13)
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Vers. 6, 7. Led of the Lord.
We do not know for certain what "it," in ver. 6, means. Probably the ark of the covenant ark of thy strength" (ver. 8). Nor do we know exactly where Ephratah was, and "the fields of the wood" (see Exposition for a possible interpretation). But we may suffer the expressions used in these verses to suggest to us the progress of the soul led by the Lord in the ways of life. We only take "it" as telling of the grace of God, the Word of life. And concerning this we may note
I THAT GOD PREPARES THE HEART THAT IS TO RECEIVE HIS GRACE. See how it was with David, how his soul was stirred in connection with the object he had in view. And so God ever deals with men. By one means and another he gets them ready for what he is going to give them.
II THEN HIS GRACE IS HEARD OF. The Ephratah stage is reached. When the soul has been got ready, the seed is sown, the Word is heard, and it has fallen into good ground.
III THEN IT IS SOUGHT AFTER AND FOUND. The search may be a long one, and the discovery made at last in some seemingly very unlikely place some fields of the wood, as it were, where no one would have thought of going to look for it. In what unthought-of places and ways God is found!
IV THEN COME THE OPEN CONFESSION OF IT, AND FELLOWSHIP WITH THEM WHO ARE LIKE-MINDED AND HAVE ALSO FOUND GOD. "We will go into his tabernacles." They have found what their soul desired, and they will proclaim it before all by going to the house of God with the people of God.
V THIS FOLLOWED BY THE LIFE OF WAITING UPON GOD. "We will worship at his footstool." So the Divine life in us is matured and sustained. At what stage in this progress are we? S.C.
The history of the ark epitomizing the history of the nation.
If Ephratah is to be treated as the ancient name of Bethlehem, we must not understand this verse to affirm that the ark was ever there; but, putting himself back into the olden days, the poet represents David as having heard about the ark when he was living at Bethlehem. But it is more simple to take Ephratah as a general term for the district in which the ark was found. Historical or geographical precision is not necessary, in a poem or a psalm. It should also be noticed that this psalm is arranged in answering sentences for chanting. In saying that the ark was the symbol of the Divine presence, we are hardly precise enough. The Divine presence was a wondrous light that shone above the cover of the ark, and between the guarding cherubim. The ark itself represented the nation of Israel, and in it the tables of the covenant were put, as in the heart of the nation God"s laws were settled. God"s symbolic light resting on the representative ark signified God"s acceptance of, and favor toward, the nation. So the history of the ark becomes the suggestion of the history of the nation. This may be illustrated in four stages.
I THE ARK REPRESENTING THE NATION"S TRAINING-TIME. It was for a time in the making, according to Divine instructions, and during the wilderness-period, a ritual and religious associations were growing up around it. It is not always clearly seen that the religious system was being developed, as well as a national and governmental system, during the years of the desert-wanderings; and the system grew round the ark.
II THE ARK REPRESENTING THE NATION"S SELF-WILLED TIME. Every nation, during its formation, has a self-willed time, such as is represented by the period of the Judges; and the fate of the ark during that period singularly answers to the up-and-down experience of the people. We have the ark dishonored; used for wrong purposes; lost; preserved by God; and partially restored. And these are evident suggestions of the national life of the period.
III THE ARK REPRESENTING THE NATION"S PROSPEROUS TIME. Under David it was brought to represent the nation before God, and the light shone again on its cover, signifying full-restored relations. And under Solomon the ark and the glory gained permanent location, signifying the nations" religiously founded prosperity.
IV THE ARK REPRESENTING THE NATION"S DECAYING TIME. It ceased to represent the whole nation ten tribes neglected it. Then it became ill used, and at last it was carried away and lost, as the nation was ill used by encroaching Baalism, and carried away by Babylonian force. R.T.
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Charles H. Spurgeon 1885 · Public Domain Ver. 6. Meanwhile, where was the habitation of God…
Ver. 6. Meanwhile, where was the habitation of God among men? He was wont to shine forth from between the cherubim, but where was the ark? It was like a hidden thing, a stranger in its own land.
Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah. Rumours came that it was somewhere in the land of Ephraim, in a temporary lodging; rather an object of dread than of delight. Is it not wonderful that so renowned a symbol of the presence of the Lord should be lingering in neglect a neglect so great that it was remarkable that we should have heard of its whereabouts at all? When a man begins to think upon God and his service it is comforting that the gospel is heard of. Considering the opposition which it has encountered it is marvellous that it should be heard of, and heard of in a place remote from the central city; but yet we are sorrowful that it is only in connection with some poor despised place that we do hear of it. What is Ephratah Who at this time knows where it was? How could the ark have remained there so long?
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David instituted a search for the ark. It had to be hunted for high and low; and at last at Kirjathjearim, the forest city, he came upon it. How often do souls find Christ and his salvation in out of the way places! What matters where we meet with him so long as we do behold him, and final life in him? That is a blessed Eureka which is embedded in our text"we found it." The matter began with hearing, led on to a search, and concluded in a joyful find. "We found it in the fields of the wood." Alas that there should be no room for the Lord in the palaces of kings, so that he must needs take to the woods. If Christ be in a wood he will yet be found of those who seek for him. He is as near in the rustic home, embowered among the trees, as in the open streets of the city; yea, he will answer prayer offered from the heart of the black forest where the lone traveller seems out of all hope of hearing. The text presents us with an instance of one whose heart was set upon finding the place where God would meet with him; this made him quick of hearing, and so the cheering news soon reached him. The tidings renewed his ardour, and led him to stick at no difficulties in his search; and so it came to pass that, where he could hardly have expected it, he lighted upon the treasure which he so much prized.
Ver. 6. We heard of it at Ephratah. This is commonly understood of Bethlehem, as that place had this name. But the ark never was at Bethlehem, at least we read of no such thing. There was a district called by this name, or one closely resembling it, where Elkanah, Samuel's father, lived, and whence Jeroboam came, both of whom are called Ephrathites. 1Sa 1:1 1Ki 11:26. This was in the tribe of Ephraim, and is probably the place meant by the Psalmist. Now the ark had been for a long series of years at Shiloh, which is in Ephraim, when it was taken to be present at the battle with the Philistines, in which Hophni and Phinehas, the sons of Eli, were slain, and when thirty thousand of the Israelites lost their lives, together with the capture of the ark. The frightful report of this calamity was brought to Eli, and occasioned his instant death. This appears to be the event referred to in the words, "We heard of it at Ephratah"; and a grievous report it was, not likely to be soon forgotten.
We found it in the fields of Jaar. After the ark had been for some time in the land of the Philistines, they sent it away, and it came to Bethshemesh, in the tribe of Judah. 1Sa 6:12. In the immediate vicinity of this place was also Kirjathjearim, i.e. the city of Jaar, to which the ark was removed; for the Bethshemites were afraid to retain it, as many thousands of them had lost their lives, for the violation of the sanctity of the ark, by looking into it. As this slaughter took place close by, if not in the fields of Jaar, the Psalmist, with reference to it, says, "We found it in the fields of Jaar." Having glanced at these two afflictive and memorable events, he goes on with his direct design, of encouraging the people to perform due honour to the ark, and to the temple, by contrasting with the sad occurrences to which he had adverted their present joy and prosperity. William Walford, in "The Book of Psalms. A New Translation, with
Notes." 1837.
Ver. 6. We heard of it at Ephratah, etc. Either of the ark which David and others had heard of, that it formerly was at Shiloh (Jos 18:1), here called Ephratah, as some think; so the Ephraimites are called Ephrathites (Jud 12:5); and Elkanah of Ramathaimzophim, of Mount Ephraim, is said to be an Ephrathite (1Sa 1:1); but this tribe the Lord chose not, but the tribe of Judah, for his habitation; and rejected the tabernacle of Shiloh, and removed it from thence (Ps 78:60, 67-68). "We found it in the fields of the wood; "at Kirjathjearim, which signifies the city of woods;being built among woods, and surrounded with them: here the ark was twenty years, and here David found it; and from hence he brought it to the house of Obededom, and from thence to Zion.
Christ has been found in the fields of the wood;in a low, mean, abject state, as this phrase signifies: Eze 16:5. The shepherds found him rejected from being in the inn, there being no room for him, anti lying in a manger (Lu 2:7, 16); the angels found him in the wilderness, among tile wild beasts of the field (Mk 1:13); nor had he the convenience even of foxes and birds of the air; he had no habitation or place where to lay his head: Mt 8:20. And he is to be found in the field of the Scriptures, where tiffs rich treasure and pearl of great price lies hid: Mt 8:44. John Gill.
Ver. 6. We heard of it at Ephratah. The only explanation, equally agreeable to usage and the context, is that which makes Ephratah the ancient name of Bethlehem (Ge 48:7), here mentioned as the place where David spent his youth, and where he used to hear of the ark, although he never saw it till long afterwards, when he found it in the fields of the wood, in the neighbourhood of Kirjathjearim, which name means Forest town, or City of the Woods. Compare 1Sa 7:1 with 2Sa 6:3-4. Joseph Addison Alexander.
Ver. 6. We heard of it at Ephratah, etc. Having prepared a sumptuous tabernacle, or tent, for the ark on Mount Zion, in the "City of David", a great national assembly was summoned, at which all the tribes were invited to attend its removal to this new sanctuary. The excitement spread over all Israel. "We heard men say at Ephratah Bethlehem, in the south of the land, and we found them repeat it in the woody Lebanon", sings the writer of the 132nd Psalm, according to Ewald's rendering. "Let us go into his tabernacle; let us worship at his footstool." The very words of the summons were fitted to rouse the deepest feelings of the nation, for they were to gather at Baalah, of Judah, another name for Kirjathjearim, to "bring up thence" to the mountain capital "the Ark of God, called by the name, the name of Jehovah of Hosts that dwelleth between the cherubim": 2Sa 6:2. It "had not been enquired at in the days of Saul": but, when restored, the nation would have their great palladium once more in their midst, and could "appear before God in Zion." and be instructed and taught in the way they should go. Cunningham Geikie, in "Hours with the Bible." 1881.
Ver. 6. Ephratah. The Psalmist says, that David himself, even when a youth in Bethlehem Ephratah, heard of the sojourn of the ark in Kirjathjearim, and that it was a fond dream of David's boyhood to be permitted to bring up the ark to some settled habitation, which he desired to find (Ps 132:5). Christopher Wordsworth.
Ver. 6. We found it. The Church can never long be hid. The sun reappears after a short eclipse. Henry Law.
Ver. 6. It is not always where we first seek God that he is to be found. "We heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood." We must not be governed by hearsay in seeking for God in Christ; but seek for ourselves until we find. It is not in every house of prayer that God in Christ can be found: after seeking him in gorgeous temples we may find him "in the fields of the wood." "If any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or lo, there; believe it not" upon his own testimony, but seek him for yourselves. George Rogers, 1883.
Ver. 6-7. We shall use this for practical purposes. A soul longing to meet with God. God has appointed a meeting place.
1. We know what it is. A mercy seat, a throne of grace, a place of revealed glory. Within it the law preserved. Heavenly foodpot of manna. Holy ruleAaron's rod.
2. We desire to find it. Intensely. Immediately. Reverently. Longing to receive it.
3. We heard of it. In our young days. We almost forget where. From ministers, from holy men, from those who loved us.
4. We found it. Where we least expected it. In a despised place. In a lonely place. Where we lost ourselves. Very near uswhere we hid like Adam among the trees.
5. We will go. To God in Christ. For all he gives. To dwell with him. To learn of him.
6. We will worship. Humbly. Solemnly. Gratefully. Preparing for heaven.
Psalms 132:7*
Charles H. Spurgeon's The Treasury of David (1869–1885) — public domain. Psalms only. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found…
Psa_132:6-7
Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood.
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Hearing, seeking, finding
Long before Davids time, the ark of the Lord had been almost forgotten by the children of Israel. The first thing, therefore, for David to do was to find the ark; for it was a central portion of the Divinely-ordained ceremonial. But I am not going to talk so much about David finding the ark as to think of some who are in the condition in which I once was, when I desired to find God. I longed to meet with Him in the person of Christ, in His own appointed way, but I could not find Christ. My heart was dark, my eyes were holden, and I looked everywhere but in the right place.
I. My first remark will be that, like David, we wish to find the ark, that ark being Christ.
1. Now, concerning that ark, the first point to be noted is that it was covered with a golden mercy-seat, which was the place of forgiveness when it was sprinkled with the sacrificial blood. Those who came to it, through the high priest, knew that God had accepted them, and forgiven their sin. You and I know that we can never meet with God except at the mercy-seat, which is Christ Jesus the Lord. Christ made an atonement, a propitiation, for our sin; He offered Himself without spot to God. By the way of His pierced body, that rent veil, is the only means of access for a sinner to a holy God.
2. The ark was a throne of grace. God sat there, as it were, upon a throne of mercy; and to us, to-day, the Lord Jesus Christ is the throne of grace. God in Christ Jesus is our reigning God, stretching out the silver sceptre of His mercy, and accepting all who come unto Him.
3. The ark was the place of Gods manifestation. As much as could be seen of Gods glory was seen between the cherubim; and if thou wouldst see the glory of God, thou must look into the face of Jesus Christ.
4. There were within the ark three notable things,--first, the tables of stone, which God had ordered to be placed there for preservation; there was, next, the golden pot with manna, and then there was also Aarons rod that budded. Now, if you come to Christ, you will find in Him all that these things represented, and all that you want.
(1) There is preserved the complete, vindicated, and honoured law.
(2) Spiritual food.
(3) The rod of Christ to rule us.
II. Knowing what we do about Christ the ark, we desire to find Him.
1. David thirsted to find this ark immediately, and so much in earnest was he that he said, Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, etc. Oh, when it comes to this pass,--that you must have Christ, then you shall have Christ!
2. Next, David sought the ark most reverently, for he recognized it as being a token of the presence of the mighty God of Jacob; and you and I must seek Christ reverently.
3. But while David thus sought very reverently, yet observe that it was with intense desire that he might receive this ark when once he found it. And, oh! if you want to find Christ, let it be with this desire, Oh, that He may come and live in my soul, and be my own personal Christ! I do not want merely to hear about Him, to be taught about Him; I want to have Him, and, if He is to be had, I will have Him. If there is grace beneath the sky for a poor sinner, then I, the chief of sinners, will not rest until I find rest in Him.
III. Knowing what this ark is, and then desiring to find it, we have heard where it is: Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah. We heard of it. And is it not a blessed thing that we have heard about where Christ is? Some here present have long heard of Christ, and you are always hearing about Him; is it not time that you should get further than merely knowing and hearing, and should intensely seek until you find him?
IV. The next words are, we found it. You remember the learned Grecian who, when he had made a discovery while in the bath, leaped out of it, and ran down the streets crying, Eureka! Eureka! I have found it! I have found it! Oh, those are the best words in my text, We found it.
1. David said that he found it in the fields of the wood; that is, where he did not expect to find it. Have not many of us found Christ where we never thought we should find Him?
2. In the case of David finding the ark, it was not only where he could not have expected it, but it was in a place that was despised,--a rustic place,--in the fields of the wood. Perhaps the Lord may lead you to some very plain minister, without any polish, or talent, or ability. I knew one who found the Saviour down a saw-pit, and another who found Him in a hay-loft.
3. We found it in the fields of the wood may perhaps mean that you will find Christ where you lose yourselves.
V. we will go: We will go into His tabernacles.
1. Now that we have found where Christ is, and we can go to Him, we will have Him. We will go to God in Christ: we will go into His tabernacles. It is a blessed thing to see a soul on the go towards God when Christ becomes the Way.
2. We will go into His tabernacles, and we will dwell there. We will dwell with God; we will get back to the Fathers house where there is bread enough and to spare, and there will we stop. We will go to learn of God, we will be the disciples of Christ. We will go, and we will go at once.
VI. And then the last word is, we will worship: We will worship at His footstool.
1. In lowly reverence, we will bow ourselves down in the very dust, for we are but dust and ashes even when we are saved.
2. We will worship at His footstool; that is, with deepest solemnity, for even His ark, His temple, is but the footstool of the great King.
3. But let us worship there with great joy. His saints shall shout aloud for joy; and, as they bow at his footstool, it shall not be as slaves, but as His chosen and accepted ones.
4. Let us also bow there very gratefully, blessing God that He has brought us to His feet. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 we heard about it in Ephrathah
we heard about it in Ephrathah
The word "it" probably refers to where God's sacred chest was. The phrase "in Ephrathah" probably refers to where they were when they heard about it. This can be stated clearly. AT: "we who were in Ephrathah heard about where the sacred chest was" or "we in Ephrathah heard that the holy box was in Jaar" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
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fields of Jaar
Jaar is probably another name for the city of Kiriath Jearim. This probably refers to the fields surrounding the city. (See: How to Translate Names)
we will worship at his footstool
Worshiping God at the covenant box is spoken of as bowing at the feet of the king who is sitting on his throne. This communicates humility and submission to God. AT: "we will go to God's covenant box and worship him as king" (See: Metaphor)
Arise, Yahweh, to your resting place
The verb "come" can be stated clearly. "Arise, Yahweh, and come to your resting place" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
your resting place
The place God chose for people to worship him is spoken of as if it were a place where he rests or lives eternally. AT: "the place where you stay" or "your tabernacle" (See: Metaphor)
you and the ark of your strength!
Possible meanings are 1) "come to the ark of your strength" or 2) "come, and make the ark of your strength come." (See: Ellipsis)
the ark of your strength
"the ark that shows your great power"
translationWords
Bethlehem
God
tabernacle
worship
footstool
raise
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 132:6-10 These verses form a recollection of David’s moving…
132:6-10 These verses form a recollection of David’s moving the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem (2 Sam 6:1-15) and of the Lord’s oath to David (2 Sam 7:4-16).
132:6 Ephrathah is Bethlehem (Gen 35:19; 48:7). • Jaar is the singular form of the plural “Jearim.” The Ark was at Kiriath-jearim for twenty years in Samuel’s time (1 Sam 7:1-2).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.