Psalms 122:1

KJV

¶ A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

A Song {H7892} of degrees {H4609} of David {H1732}. I was glad {H8055} when they said {H559} unto me, Let us go {H3212} into the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

A song of ascents. By David: I was glad when they said to me, "The house of ADONAI! Let's go!"

Berean Standard Bible

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.”

American Standard Version

I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go unto the house of Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 122:1 expresses the profound, personal joy of the psalmist upon receiving the communal invitation to embark on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, the city where the Temple, the "house of the LORD," stood. This verse encapsulates the deep spiritual longing of the faithful for corporate worship, the anticipation of drawing near to God's presence, and the gladness found in shared fellowship on the journey to His sacred dwelling place.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 122 belongs to the collection known as the "Songs of Ascents" (Hebrew: *Shir Hama'alot*), comprising Psalms 120-134. These fifteen psalms are traditionally understood as hymns sung by pilgrims as they journeyed "up" to Jerusalem for the three annual pilgrimage festivals: Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. The upward physical journey to the elevated city of Jerusalem mirrored a spiritual ascent towards God's presence. As a "Song of David," it likely reflects the king's own delight in establishing Jerusalem as the spiritual capital and the eventual site of the Temple, setting a precedent for the joy of future generations of pilgrims.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israelite life was deeply intertwined with religious festivals and communal worship. The Temple in Jerusalem, built by Solomon as the permanent dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant and the visible manifestation of God's presence among His people, served as the focal point of national worship. Pilgrimages to Jerusalem were obligatory and deeply significant events, fostering national unity and spiritual renewal. The journey itself, often arduous, culminated in the joyous experience of corporate worship and sacrifice in the holy city, a place of divine encounter and blessing, as seen in [1 Kings 8:13](/1_kings/8-13 "1 Kings 8:13 - Solomon's Dedication of the Temple").
* **Key Themes:** This opening verse immediately introduces several pivotal themes that resonate throughout Psalm 122 and the broader collection of Songs of Ascents. Foremost is the theme of **Joy in Corporate Worship**, highlighting that gathering with fellow believers for worship is a source of profound gladness, not a burden. This joy is intrinsically linked to the **Desire for God's Presence**, as the "house of the LORD" symbolizes the unique opportunity to draw near to the Almighty. The verse also underscores the **Significance of the Sanctuary** as a sacred space where God's name dwells and where His people can commune with Him. Finally, the communal invitation, "Let us go," emphasizes the theme of **Community and Fellowship**, portraying faith as a shared journey and corporate experience, echoing the importance of not neglecting the assembly of believers as encouraged in [Hebrews 10:25](/hebrews/10-25 "Hebrews 10:25 - Do Not Neglect Meeting Together").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **glad (Hebrew, _samach'_):** This verb conveys a deep, heartfelt joy, delight, or rejoicing. It is not a superficial happiness but a profound inner satisfaction and excitement, often associated with a sense of well-being, celebration, or the fulfillment of a spiritual longing. Here, it signifies the psalmist's genuine and enthusiastic response to the prospect of corporate worship in God's presence.
* **house of the LORD (Hebrew, _Beit Adonai'_):** This specific phrase unequivocally refers to the Temple in Jerusalem. It denotes the sacred sanctuary where God's presence was uniquely manifested among His people. Its mention evokes images of divine encounter, sacrifice, prayer, and the central hub of Israelite faith and national identity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I was glad":** This opening declaration immediately establishes the psalmist's personal and profound emotional state. The past tense indicates a settled, internal disposition of joy that arose from the subsequent invitation. It speaks to a deep spiritual anticipation and eagerness to engage in worship.
* **"when they said unto me":** This clause highlights the communal aspect of the invitation. The joy is not solitary but sparked by the collective voice of fellow pilgrims. It underscores the shared purpose and fellowship inherent in the journey to worship, indicating that faith and spiritual pursuits are often best experienced within a community.
* **"Let us go into the house of the LORD":** This is the specific invitation that ignites the psalmist's gladness. It is a call to action, a purposeful journey towards the sacred dwelling place of God. The phrase "house of the LORD" signifies the Temple, representing the ultimate destination for worship, prayer, and communion with God, the very heart of Israel's spiritual life.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 122:1 employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is the **Expression of Emotion**, as the psalmist's immediate declaration "I was glad" sets the tone, drawing the reader into the profound joy and anticipation of the journey. This is coupled with **Anticipation**, as the verse builds towards the destination—the "house of the LORD"—creating a sense of eager expectation for the spiritual encounter that awaits. The use of "they said unto me, Let us go" introduces a **Communal Voice**, emphasizing the shared experience and collective spirit of pilgrimage and worship. Finally, the "house of the LORD" functions as **Symbolism**, representing not just a physical structure but the very presence of God, the center of Israel's spiritual life, and a place of divine blessing and communion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 122:1 articulates a timeless theological truth: there is profound joy in the corporate worship of God. This joy stems from the inherent human longing for divine communion and the recognition that God has appointed specific times and places for His people to gather and encounter Him. While the physical Temple in Jerusalem served as the focal point for ancient Israel, the underlying principle transcends geographical location, emphasizing the spiritual significance of assembling with fellow believers. This verse teaches us that a vibrant faith is characterized by an eager anticipation for communal worship, recognizing it as a privilege and a source of spiritual refreshment and unity. It highlights God's desire for His people to gather, to seek His face together, and to find delight in His presence.

* [Psalm 84:2](/psalms/84-2 "Psalm 84:2 - My Soul Longs for the Courts of the LORD")
* [Psalm 100:2](/psalms/100-2 "Psalm 100:2 - Serve the LORD with Gladness")
* [Isaiah 2:3](/isaiah/2-3 "Isaiah 2:3 - Nations Go Up to Jerusalem")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, Psalm 122:1 serves as a powerful reminder of the privilege and joy of corporate worship. While we no longer journey to a physical temple in Jerusalem, the spiritual "house of the LORD" is now found wherever God's people gather in His name. This verse challenges us to examine our own attitudes towards church attendance and communal worship. Do we approach it with the same gladness and anticipation as the psalmist? Are we eager to join with "them" – our fellow believers – to enter God's presence, hear His Word, and offer Him praise? Cultivating such joy transforms worship from a mere obligation into a profound delight, fostering deeper connection with God and with one another. It calls us to prioritize gathering, to actively participate, and to cherish the fellowship found within the body of Christ, recognizing that our shared journey of faith is enriched when we pursue God's presence together.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What is my prevailing attitude when preparing to gather for corporate worship? Is it marked by gladness and anticipation?**
* **How does my participation in communal worship reflect a desire for God's presence and a valuing of Christian fellowship?**
* **In what ways can I cultivate a deeper sense of joy and expectation for the "house of the LORD" (the church) in my own life?**
* **How does the communal invitation, "Let us go," encourage me to invite others or to participate more fully in my faith community?**

### FAQ
**What is a "Song of degrees" or "Song of Ascents"?**

Answer: A "Song of degrees" (KJV) or "Song of Ascents" (modern translations) refers to one of the fifteen psalms (Psalms 120-134) that bear this superscription. The Hebrew phrase *Shir Hama'alot* literally means "Song of the Goings Up" or "Song of the Ascents." It is widely believed that these psalms were sung by Jewish pilgrims as they "ascended" or traveled "up" to Jerusalem for the three annual pilgrimage festivals: Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. Jerusalem is geographically situated on hills, so the journey was literally an ascent. These songs served as hymns for the journey, expressing the pilgrims' anticipation, prayers for safety, and joy upon reaching the holy city and the Temple.

**Why is the "house of the LORD" so significant in this verse?**

Answer: The "house of the LORD" in Psalm 122:1 refers specifically to the Temple in Jerusalem. For ancient Israel, the Temple was not just a building; it was the central dwelling place of God's presence on earth, where His name was said to dwell ([1 Kings 8:29](/1_kings/8-29 "1 Kings 8:29 - God's Name Dwelling in the Temple")). It was the focal point of national worship, sacrifice, and prayer, symbolizing the covenant relationship between God and His people. The psalmist's gladness at the prospect of going to the "house of the LORD" signifies a deep spiritual longing for communion with God, a desire to participate in the sacred rituals, and to experience the unique presence of the Almighty in His chosen sanctuary. It was the heart of their spiritual and national identity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Psalm 122:1 expresses the joy of pilgrims journeying to the physical Temple in Jerusalem, its deepest fulfillment is found in Jesus Christ and the New Covenant. Jesus Himself declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," speaking of the temple of His body ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts the Destruction and Resurrection of the Temple")). He is the ultimate "house of the LORD," the true dwelling place of God among humanity, through whom we have access to the Father. In Christ, the need for a localized, physical sanctuary is transcended, for He inaugurated a new era where true worship is "in spirit and truth" ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23 "John 4:23-24 - True Worshipers Will Worship in Spirit and Truth")), no longer confined to Jerusalem or any specific mountain. Furthermore, through Christ, believers are corporately built into a spiritual house, a "holy temple in the Lord" ([Ephesians 2:21-22](/ephesians/2-21 "Ephesians 2:21-22 - Built into a Holy Temple")), and individually, our bodies become temples of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit")). Thus, the gladness of going to the "house of the LORD" is ultimately fulfilled in our joy of drawing near to Christ, gathering as His body, the Church, and anticipating the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, where God Himself will dwell with His people, and "the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple" ([Revelation 21:22](/revelation/21-22 "Revelation 21:22 - The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its Temple")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 84:10

For a day in thy courts [is] better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Micah 4:2

And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Isaiah 2:3

And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Psalms 84:1

¶ To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. How amiable [are] thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!

Psalms 84:2

My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.

Psalms 134:1

¶ A Song of degrees. Behold, bless ye the LORD, all [ye] servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.

Psalms 120:1

¶ A Song of degrees. In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.