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