Now therefore arise, O Lord God, into thy resting place. — The two verses (2 Chronicles 6:41-42) are slightly altered from Psalms 132:8-10. It would seem that the chronicler selected them as forming a more natural and appropriate conclusion to the Prayer of Dedication than that which he found in the older account. The aptness of the quotation may be admitted, without assuming that “for want of this summons to take possession of the sanctuary, the point of the whole prayer is wanting in Kings” (Zöckler). The peroration of 1 Kings 8:50-53 is quite natural, though different; the closing thoughts being a return to those with which the prayer began, so that the prayer forms a well-rounded whole, and the suggestion of a lacuna is out of place. There is no difficulty in this view; the difficulty lies rather in maintaining the originality of these verses here. (Comp. the free adaptation of several late Psalms in the Hymn of Praise in 1 Chronicles 16:8, sqq.) The versification of the original psalm is neglected here, as there.
(41) Now therefore. — And now added by chronicler.
O Lord God. — Iahweh ’ĕlôhîm. This rare divine title occurs thrice in these two verses, but nowhere else in the prayer. The chronicler uses it as least eight times, but it does not appear at all in the books of Kings. In the Psalm we read simply Iahweh.
Into thy resting place. — Nûah. A late word, found besides only in Esther 9:16-18 (nôah). In the Psalm it is mĕnûhâh, a common word.
The idea that the sanctuary is God’s resting-place is not in keeping with the spirit of the prayer. (Comp. 2 Chronicles 6:18; and the frequent expression, “Hear Thou from heaven thy dwelling place.”)
Let thy priests, O Lord God. — Psalms 132:9. The Divine name is added here.
Salvation. — Or, prosperity. The psalm has, “with righteousness;” but the other idea occurs a little after in 2 Chronicles 6:16.
Rejoice in goodness. — Be glad at the good. A paraphrase of “shout for joy” in the psalm.