Memento, Domine.
A prayer for the fulfilling of the promise made to David.
131:1. A gradual canticle. O Lord, remember David, and all his
meekness.
131:2. How he swore to the Lord, he vowed a vow to the God of Jacob:
131:3. If I shall enter into the tabernacle of my house: if I shall go
up into the bed wherein I lie:
131:4. If I shall give sleep to my eyes, or slumber to my eyelids,
131:5. Or rest to my temples: until I find out a place for the Lord, a
tabernacle for the God of Jacob.
131:6. Behold we have heard of it in Ephrata: we have found it in the
fields of the wood.
We have heard of it in Ephrata. . .When I was young, and lived in
Bethlehem, otherwise called Ephrata, I heard of God's tabernacle and
ark, and had a devout desire of seeking it; and accordingly I found it
at Cariathiarim, the city of the woods: where it was till it was
removed to Jerusalem. See 1 Par. 13.
131:7. We will go into his tabernacle: we will adore in the place where
his feet stood.
131:8. Arise, O Lord, into thy resting place: thou and the ark, which
thou hast sanctified.
131:9. Let thy priests be clothed with justice: and let thy saints
rejoice.
131:10. For thy servant David's sake, turn not away the face of thy
anointed.
131:11. The Lord hath sworn truth to David, and he will not make it
void: of the fruit of thy womb I will set upon thy throne.
131:12. If thy children will keep my covenant, and these my testimonies
which I shall teach them: Their children also for evermore shall sit
upon thy throne.
131:13. For the Lord hath chosen Sion: he hath chosen it for his
dwelling.
131:14. This is my rest for ever and ever: here will I dwell, for I
have chosen it.
131:15. Blessing I will bless her widow: I will satisfy her poor with
bread.
131:16. I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints shall
rejoice with exceeding great joy.
131:17. There will I bring forth a horn to David: I have prepared a
lamp for my anointed.
131:18. His enemies I will clothe with confusion: but upon him shall my
sanctification flourish.