Psalms 122:6

¶ Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

Pray {H7592} for the peace {H7965} of Jerusalem {H3389}: they shall prosper {H7951} that love {H157} thee.

Pray for shalom in Yerushalayim; may those who love you prosper.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you prosper.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: They shall prosper that love thee.

Commentary

Psalm 122:6 (KJV) is a powerful call to prayer and a profound promise, deeply rooted in the historical and spiritual significance of Jerusalem.

Context

This verse is part of the "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134), psalms traditionally sung by Jewish pilgrims as they ascended to Jerusalem for the three annual festivals. Psalm 122 itself expresses the pilgrim's joy upon arriving at the city, marveling at its unity, its role as the seat of justice, and the thrones of the house of David. Against this backdrop of reverence for Jerusalem, the psalmist issues a direct exhortation to pray for its well-being.

Key Themes

  • The Centrality of Jerusalem: For ancient Israel, Jerusalem was not merely a city; it was the spiritual, political, and cultural heart of the nation, the place where God's presence dwelt in the Temple (Psalm 132:13-14). Praying for its peace was praying for the peace of the entire nation and the fulfillment of God's purposes.
  • The Power of Prayer: The verse is a direct command to "Pray." It underscores the belief that prayer is not passive but an active, impactful means of seeking divine intervention and blessing, both for the city and for those who pray.
  • Holistic Peace (Shalom): The Hebrew word for "peace" here is shalom (שָׁלוֹם), which means far more than just the absence of conflict. It encompasses wholeness, completeness, well-being, prosperity, security, and harmony. To pray for the shalom of Jerusalem is to pray for its total flourishing—spiritual, social, and physical.
  • Divine Prosperity: The promise "they shall prosper that love thee" connects the act of loving and praying for Jerusalem directly to a personal blessing. The Hebrew word for "prosper" (related to shalvah, שַׁלְוָה) echoes the concept of shalom, suggesting that those who seek Jerusalem's comprehensive well-being will themselves experience a parallel sense of security, tranquility, and success. This promise resonates with God's earlier covenant with Abraham, blessing those who bless His chosen people (Genesis 12:3).

Linguistic Insights

The beautiful wordplay in the original Hebrew highlights the deep connection between Jerusalem's well-being and the well-being of those who pray for it. The command "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem" uses shalom (שָׁלוֹם). The subsequent promise "they shall prosper" is derived from a root often associated with tranquility, security, or prosperity, echoing the very concept of shalom. Thus, those who desire and work for Jerusalem's wholeness will find wholeness themselves.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalm 122:6 offers several enduring lessons:

  • A Call to Intercessory Prayer: We are encouraged to pray for places of spiritual and historical significance, and for the peace and well-being of all cities and nations (Jeremiah 29:7). This includes current-day Jerusalem, recognizing its ongoing importance in biblical prophecy and world events.
  • Alignment with God's Heart: To love Jerusalem is to align with God's enduring love and plans for the city and its people. This alignment brings spiritual and often practical blessings.
  • The Nature of True Prosperity: The "prosperity" promised is not necessarily material wealth, but a holistic well-being—a deep sense of peace, security, and flourishing in one's life that comes from being in harmony with God's will and purposes.

This verse reminds us that our prayers for others, especially for God's chosen places and people, are not in vain and often carry a reciprocal blessing for us.

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Cross-References

  • Psalms 51:18 (15 votes)

    Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

  • Jeremiah 29:7 (13 votes)

    And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.

  • Genesis 12:3 (11 votes)

    And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

  • Psalms 137:6 (10 votes)

    If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.

  • Psalms 137:7 (10 votes)

    ¶ Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase [it], rase [it, even] to the foundation thereof.

  • Jeremiah 51:50 (8 votes)

    Ye that have escaped the sword, go away, stand not still: remember the LORD afar off, and let Jerusalem come into your mind.

  • Numbers 24:9 (8 votes)

    He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed [is] he that blesseth thee, and cursed [is] he that curseth thee.