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Psalms 122

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Joyful Arrival in Jerusalem 1–2

1
A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. ​
2
Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.

The Purpose of the Holy City 3–5

3
Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together: ​
4
Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD. ​
5
For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David. ​

A Call to Seek Jerusalem's Peace 6–9

6
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. ​
7
Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.
8
For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. ​
9
Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good. ​

Bible text: King James Version (1769 Blayney text) · Public domain

Study Notes for Psalms 122

Verse 1

Let us go into the house of the LORD — The title calls it a 'Song of degrees' (ma'alah, a going up), sung on the way to Jerusalem. The same invitation is on the lips of 'many people' in Isa 2:3: 'Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD'. The gladness is in being called to worship.

Verse 3

compact together — Chabar, to join, with yachad, 'together': the houses are joined into one unbroken city. David 'built round about from Millo and inward' (2 Sam 5:9). The same picture of joined parts is used of the church: 'all the building fitly framed together' (Eph 2:21).

Verse 4

the testimony of Israel — Eduth, testimony: the law kept in the ark, to which the tribes come. The law required it: 'Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose' (Deut 16:16). They go up 'to give thanks' (yadah) to the name.

Verse 5

thrones of judgment — Kisse with mishpat: seats for giving verdicts, held by 'the house of David'. Jerusalem was also the court of appeal: Jehoshaphat set Levites, priests and heads of families there 'for the judgment of the LORD, and for controversies' (2 Chr 19:8).

Verse 6

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem — Sha'al, to ask, with shalom, peace, welfare, wholeness. The promise 'they shall prosper that love thee' uses shalah, to be tranquil and secure, a near echo of the word for peace. The LORD told exiles likewise to pray for a city: 'in the peace thereof shall ye have peace' (Jer 29:7).

Verse 8

brethren and companions' sakes — Ach and rea: kin and fellows. The psalmist moves from bidding others pray (v.6) to speaking himself: 'I will now say, Peace be within thee', answering the prayer 'Peace be within thy walls' (v.7). The stated motive is the good of his brethren and companions.

Verse 9

I will seek thy good — Baqash, to search out, with tov, good. The reason is 'the house of the LORD our God'. Zeal for that house is later spoken of Christ: 'The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up' (John 2:17); Nehemiah's enemies were grieved that a man came 'to seek the welfare of the children of Israel' (Neh 2:10).