The praise that ancient Israel offered God in this psalm by recalling its history and celebrating the temple of Jerusalem is addressed to Jesus Christ by the new people of God, the Church, recalling his entry into the sanctuary of heaven (cf. Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:26; 8:1; etc.). Christ's ascension into heaven marks the climax of the lordship which God, in a previous age, manifested in the temple of Jerusalem.

"Many religions invoke God as 'Father'. The deity is often considered the 'father of gods and of men'. In Israel, God is called 'Father' inasmuch as he is Creator of the world. Even more, God is Father because of the Covenant and the gift of the Law to Israel, 'his first-born son' (Exodus 4:22). God is also called the Father of the king of Israel (cf. 2 Samuel 7:14). Most especially he is 'the Father of the poor', of the orphaned and the widowed, who are under his loving protection" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 238).

This psalm arrangement is used in the Mass liturgy on the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C.