Psalmów 132:2 Kabała: Sha'arei Orah

It therefore is necessary for a person to prepare himself for prayer and properly direct his thoughts, in a manner that his prayer will not be obstructed and his request will not return emptyhanded. About this our sages, of blessed memory stated,¹⁶Talmud Bavli, Berachot 30b “A person should always take stock of himself. If he is able to focus his heart, he should pray, but if not, he should not pray,” meaning, if in his prayer he is able to focus on HaShem’s-יהו"ה title that pertains to his prayer, he should pray, but if not, he should not pray.

This is the meaning of the verses,⁹³Psalms 132:2-5 “How he swore to HaShem-יהו״ה and vowed to the Mighty One of Yaakov, ‘If I enter the tent of my home; if I go upon the bed that is spread for me; If I allow my eyes to sleep, my eyelids to slumber; before I find a place for HaShem-יהו״ה, resting places (Mishkanot-משכנות) for the Mighty One of Yaakov.’” The Psalm then continues,⁹⁴Psalms 132:13-14 “For HaShem-יהו״ה has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitation. This is My resting place forever and ever, here I will dwell, for I have desired it.”

Now, although in scripture we find the words,¹⁶⁸Psalms 132:2 “That he swore to HaShem-יהו"ה,” rather than, “That He swore in HaShem-יהו"ה,” the meaning of this verse is that King David, peace be upon him, swore to do this for HaShem-יהו"ה. That is, he swore that he will not be tranquil and at rest until he finds a resting place for the Indwelling Presence of HaShem-יהו"ה, the Shechinah, in which to build the Holy Temple.