Psalms 122 Commentary: A Song of Ascents to Jerusalem
I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.
Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:
Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord.
For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.
For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.
Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.
Psalms 122, a concise yet powerful psalm, resonates with the joy of pilgrimage and the heartfelt desire for the peace of Jerusalem. Understanding its context and message allows us to apply its principles to our own spiritual journeys and prayers for God's people. This psalm, traditionally attributed to David, is one of the fifteen "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120—134), likely sung by Israelites as they traveled to Jerusalem for the annual festivals mandated in Deuteronomy 16:16. The physical ascent towards Mount Zion, where Jerusalem was situated (2 Samuel 5:7; 1 Kings 8:1), gave these psalms their name.
Joyful Anticipation of Worship (Psalms 122:1-2)
The psalm opens with an expression of pure delight: "I rejoiced with those who said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord!'" (Psalms 122:1). This verse captures the excitement and anticipation that pilgrims felt as they embarked on their journey to worship at the temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 6:1). For those making the pilgrimage, crossing through the gates of the city would have been a joyful milestone (Psalms 122:2). David expresses excitement as he anticipates worshiping with the people of Israel in the house of the LORD, the tabernacle in Jerusalem.
Jerusalem: A City United and Established (Psalms 122:3-5)
The psalmist then describes Jerusalem as a city that is "compactly built" (Psalms 122:3), emphasizing its unity and strength. Jerusalem was established as David's capitol when he took the fortress of Zion from the Jebusites (2 Samuel 5:7). The city he founded grew on and around that location (1 Kings 8:1). It was the place where "the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord" (Psalms 122:4), fulfilling the ordinance given to the twelve tribes to appear before God at the annual festivals to give thanks (Deuteronomy 16:16-17). Jerusalem was the center of both Israel's spiritual and governmental authority. The city also held immense significance as the location of "the thrones for judgment, the thrones of the house of David" (Psalms 122:5), signifying the royal lineage from which the Messiah would eventually come. Rulers of the nation were from the lineage of David (2 Samuel 7:12; 1 Kings 2:11–12), of the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10).
A Call to Pray for Peace (Psalms 122:6-9)
The second half of the psalm shifts to a fervent prayer for the well-being of Jerusalem: "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May those who love you be secure!" (Psalms 122:6). David vows to pursue Jerusalem’s prosperity (Psalms 122:9), and he exhorts true worshipers to pray for the peace and security of that city and its people, his brothers and friends. The psalmist's love for the city and what it represented motivated him to seek its protection and stability, extending to those who lived within its walls and all who shared his faith in the Lord God. To be devoted to the Lord, in fact, meant to be devoted to the city he had chosen for his king and for the worship of his name. The prayer in view here will, ultimately, be answered under the Messiah’s kingdom rule (Psalms 122:6-8).
The prayer concludes with a declaration: "For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, 'Peace be within you!'" (Psalms 122:8) and "For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity" (Psalms 122:9). This reveals the personal investment and commitment the psalmist had towards the city and its people, recognizing that its well-being was intertwined with the well-being of his community and the worship of God.
Enduring Relevance
While Psalms 122 speaks of a specific city, its message transcends geographical boundaries. It calls us to:
- Cultivate a Joyful Spirit of Worship: Approach God's presence with anticipation and delight.
- Value Unity and Community: Recognize the strength and blessings that come from being united in faith.
- Pray for Peace and Well-being: Intercede for the peace of our communities, nations, and especially for the church, the dwelling place of God's Spirit.
The psalm's prayer for peace is a timeless need. While Jerusalem experienced periods of peace, its history is also marked by conflict and turmoil, often due to leaders turning away from God (1 Kings 12:16–17; 2 Chronicles 36:17–20; Matthew 24:1–2). Therefore, our prayers must be constant and fervent, seeking God's intervention and guidance. Ultimately, the longing for peace expressed in Psalms 122 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the Messiah's kingdom.
I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.
Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:
Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord.
For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.
For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.
Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.
Psalms 122, a concise yet powerful psalm, resonates with the joy of pilgrimage and the heartfelt desire for the peace of Jerusalem. Understanding its context and message allows us to apply its principles to our own spiritual journeys and prayers for God's people. This psalm, traditionally attributed to David, is one of the fifteen "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120—134), likely sung by Israelites as they traveled to Jerusalem for the annual festivals mandated in Deuteronomy 16:16. The physical ascent towards Mount Zion, where Jerusalem was situated (2 Samuel 5:7; 1 Kings 8:1), gave these psalms their name.
Joyful Anticipation of Worship (Psalms 122:1-2)
The psalm opens with an expression of pure delight: "I rejoiced with those who said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord!'" (Psalms 122:1). This verse captures the excitement and anticipation that pilgrims felt as they embarked on their journey to worship at the temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 6:1). For those making the pilgrimage, crossing through the gates of the city would have been a joyful milestone (Psalms 122:2). David expresses excitement as he anticipates worshiping with the people of Israel in the house of the LORD, the tabernacle in Jerusalem.
Jerusalem: A City United and Established (Psalms 122:3-5)
The psalmist then describes Jerusalem as a city that is "compactly built" (Psalms 122:3), emphasizing its unity and strength. Jerusalem was established as David's capitol when he took the fortress of Zion from the Jebusites (2 Samuel 5:7). The city he founded grew on and around that location (1 Kings 8:1). It was the place where "the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord" (Psalms 122:4), fulfilling the ordinance given to the twelve tribes to appear before God at the annual festivals to give thanks (Deuteronomy 16:16-17). Jerusalem was the center of both Israel's spiritual and governmental authority. The city also held immense significance as the location of "the thrones for judgment, the thrones of the house of David" (Psalms 122:5), signifying the royal lineage from which the Messiah would eventually come. Rulers of the nation were from the lineage of David (2 Samuel 7:12; 1 Kings 2:11–12), of the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10).
A Call to Pray for Peace (Psalms 122:6-9)
The second half of the psalm shifts to a fervent prayer for the well-being of Jerusalem: "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May those who love you be secure!" (Psalms 122:6). David vows to pursue Jerusalem’s prosperity (Psalms 122:9), and he exhorts true worshipers to pray for the peace and security of that city and its people, his brothers and friends. The psalmist's love for the city and what it represented motivated him to seek its protection and stability, extending to those who lived within its walls and all who shared his faith in the Lord God. To be devoted to the Lord, in fact, meant to be devoted to the city he had chosen for his king and for the worship of his name. The prayer in view here will, ultimately, be answered under the Messiah’s kingdom rule (Psalms 122:6-8).
The prayer concludes with a declaration: "For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, 'Peace be within you!'" (Psalms 122:8) and "For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity" (Psalms 122:9). This reveals the personal investment and commitment the psalmist had towards the city and its people, recognizing that its well-being was intertwined with the well-being of his community and the worship of God.
Enduring Relevance
While Psalms 122 speaks of a specific city, its message transcends geographical boundaries. It calls us to:
- Cultivate a Joyful Spirit of Worship: Approach God's presence with anticipation and delight.
- Value Unity and Community: Recognize the strength and blessings that come from being united in faith.
- Pray for Peace and Well-being: Intercede for the peace of our communities, nations, and especially for the church, the dwelling place of God's Spirit.
The psalm's prayer for peace is a timeless need. While Jerusalem experienced periods of peace, its history is also marked by conflict and turmoil, often due to leaders turning away from God (1 Kings 12:16–17; 2 Chronicles 36:17–20; Matthew 24:1–2). Therefore, our prayers must be constant and fervent, seeking God's intervention and guidance. Ultimately, the longing for peace expressed in Psalms 122 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the Messiah's kingdom.