Martin Luther on Psalms 132:6

Verse. 6. Loe, we heard of it in Ephrata, and founde it in the fieldes of the forest.

That is to say, the vowe of Dauid is nowe accomplished: For nowe God is sayd to dwell in this temple builded by Salomon, which is such a one, as shall not be caried into other places as it was afore. Sometimes it was in Gilgal, sometymes in Silo, and at the last in Gabaa. And where so euer the Arke was, there was God also: for the promise followed the Arke where so euer it was. Nowe (sayth he) the place where the temple is builded and the Arke shall rest, is stable and permanent: which if it be not verified of this place, it shall be verified of no place in the whole world.

But what meaneth it when he sayth in Ephrata? For we doe not any where reade, that the house of the Lord was in Ephrata, that is, in Bethleem. Although therefore this figure and maner of speech seemeth to be somewhat hard, yet certeyne it is, that by Ephrata is vnderstand the kingdom of Iuda, Ephrata signifieth the kingdom of Iuda. whereof Dauid being an Ephratite, was King and gouerner: So that it is all one to say, in Ephrata and in Ierusalem, to the which Dauid the Ephratite did translate the seate and throne of the King. Of the King therefore, which was an Ephratite, by a figure called Metonomia, Ierusalem is called Ephrata. Which maner of speech we likewise in the Dutch tongue doe oftentimes vse. As if I shoul[illegible: 1 letter] say: Saxonie did boldly and freely confesse Christ at August before the Emperour and the whole empire. Here by Saxonie is signified the noble Prince and worthy of perpetuall memorie in all Churches, Iohn the Elector of Saxonie, who was by birth a Saxon. This figure the Prophet vseth in this place, to the ende we should vnderstand that the temple is exalted & magnified, not because of Salomon which builded the temple, nor because of the people which resorted thither, but because of Dauid hauing the promise, and to whom the promise was made. For, (as I sayd before) the promise is that which principally must be considered in all things. This pomise alone therefore it is, which here he beholdeth, signifying that the temple is giuen for the promise sake, and not in respect of merites or deserts.

Where he addeth: The fieldes of the forest. In the fieldes of the forest, this is a repetition of that he said before. For the fields of the forest he calleth Ierusalem, as the Prophets oftentimes call it Libanus, because it is builded of the Ceders of Libanus: as though the trees & tymber of all Libanus were translated to Ierusalem. The former appellation therfore, where he calleth Ierusalem Ephrata, is taken of the person of Dauid, and this is taken of the matter wherof the temple was builded. Now, these kindes of speech serue to this end that we should knowe what an inestimable gift it is to haue a place where the word of God may be taught. For there the church, that is to say, the kingdom of God is preserued and maintained. Such a place (saith he) haue we here, where by the promise of God the temple is builded. For here we heare the word, here God speaketh vnto vs, here we pray, and here we doe all thinges which pertaine to the seruice and worship of God, here the deuill, with all his assaults, his subtilties, his furies and his lyes wherewith he goeth about to trouble and vexe the Church, and to hinder the glory of God, are ouercome.