Chapter 131

In David’s reckoning, Lord, let not his patient care be forgotten,

the oath he swore to the Lord, the vow he made to the great God of Jacob:

Never will I come beneath the roof of my house, or climb up into the bed that is strewn for me;

never shall these eyes have sleep, these eye-lids close,

until I have found the Lord a home, the great God of Jacob a dwelling-place.

And now, at Ephrata, we have heard tidings of what we looked for, we have found it in the plains of Jaar;

now to go into his dwelling, pay reverence at his footstool!

Up, Lord, and take possession of thy resting-place, thou and the ark which is shrine of thy glory!

Let thy priests go clad in the vesture of innocence, thy faithful people cry aloud with rejoicing.

Think of thy servant David, and do not refuse audience to the king thou hast anointed.

Never will the Lord be false to that inviolable oath he swore to David: I will raise to thy throne heirs of thy own body;

if thy sons hold fast to my covenant, to the decrees which I make known to them, their sons too shall reign on thy throne for ever.

The Lord’s choice has fallen upon Sion, this is the dwelling he longed for:

Here, for ever, is my resting-place, here is my destined home.

Trust me, I will bless her with abundant store, the poor shall have bread to their heart’s content;

I will clothe her priests in the vesture of triumph, cries of rejoicing shall echo among her faithful people.

There the stock of David shall bud, there shall a lamp burn continually for the king I have anointed.

I will cover his enemies with confusion; on his brow the crown I gave shall shine untarnished.