Psalm 132:17-18 KJV – “There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed. 18 His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.”
In verse twelve of our psalm, we read God’s promise to David that his sons’ sons would sit on his throne forever. Sons, of course, in this case means descendants. The verse mentions the horn of David. This refers to his kingdom and power. So from David’s kingdom would come one who will sit on David’s throne forever, whose reign (crown) shall flourish!
This was also foretold in the New Testament. In the gospel of Luke, we find the account of the angel Gabriel coming to Mary at God’s command. He spoke to this young virgin: “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women” (1:26-28). Mary was troubled by what he said, but the angel comforted her: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. . . . Behold you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end” (vv. 30-33).
Who was this Child who would be born to Mary? His name was Jesus, and He will be the one King of the Jews yet to rule from Jerusalem! How does He qualify for this, aside from being God’s only begotten Son? David himself was his ancestral father. To what national people group did David belong? The nation of Israel. Where will His throne be? In Jerusalem!
Through all of this we need to understand that if, as some claim, God has cast Israel off forever because of their disobedience, then Jesus would have forfeited the right to sit on David’s throne, and biblical prophecy would be a lie. Saints, God’s Word doesn’t lie, and it doesn’t change. There can be no other culmination of the history of mankind than what is foretold will happen as we approach the last of the last days.
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The lamp spoken of in verse 17 speaks of enlightenment. We see it is prophesied that from the lineage of David will come the Light of the world, whose enemies will be clothed with shame. “Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and . . . sin . . . and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb 12:1).
Jesus came as the Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world. He bore the shame of the cross to accomplish that. Did we then see the shame with which His enemies were to have been clothed (see v. 18 above)? “My anger is kindled against the shepherds [the religious leaders]. . . . For the Lord of hosts will visit His flock, the house of Judah, and will make them as His royal horse in the battle. . . . They will be like mighty men, who tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle. They shall fight because the Lord is with them, and the riders on the horses shall be put to shame. I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph. I will bring them back, because I have mercy on them. They shall be as though I had not cast them aside; for I am the Lord their God, and I will hear them” (Zec 10:3-6).
Even now we see God protecting Israel and strengthening Judah because of His mercy. Nationally, even now He has not totally cast them aside. But there remains one unfinished piece of business regarding the Jews, Jerusalem, and Jesus. Jesus must return to the earth, this time as King, the descendant of David, who was divinely ordained to rule from Jerusalem, but who has yet to ascend to the throne. He is coming again soon! The veracity of the Scriptures regarding these events is essential when it comes to biblical integrity and infallibility, which are inseparable prophetic companions. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
