Psalms — Chapter 122

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1I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

2Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.

3Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:

4Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.

5For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.

6Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

7Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.

8For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.

9Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.

1I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go unto the house of Jehovah.

2Our feet are standing Within thy gates, O Jerusalem,

3Jerusalem, that art builded As a city that is compact together;

4Whither the tribes go up, even the tribes of Jehovah, [For] an ordinance for Israel, To give thanks unto the name of Jehovah.

5For there are set thrones for judgment, The thrones of the house of David.

6Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: They shall prosper that love thee.

7Peace be within thy walls, And prosperity within thy palaces.

8For my brethren and companions` sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.

9For the sake of the house of Jehovah our God I will seek thy good. Psalm 123 A Song of Ascents.

1A song of ascents; by David. I was glad because they said to me, “We will go to the Lord’s temple.”

2Our feet are standing inside your gates, O Jerusalem.

3Jerusalem is a city designed to accommodate an assembly.

4The tribes go up there, the tribes of the Lord, where it is required that Israel give thanks to the name of the Lord.

5Indeed, the leaders sit there on thrones and make legal decisions, on the thrones of the house of David.

6Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May those who love her prosper.

7May there be peace inside your defenses and prosperity inside your fortresses.

8For the sake of my brothers and my neighbors I will say, “May there be peace in you.”

9For the sake of the temple of the Lord our God I will pray for you to prosper.

1I was glad when they said to me, “Let’s go to Yahweh’s house!”

2Our feet are standing within your gates, Jerusalem;

3Jerusalem, that is built as a city that is compact together;

4where the tribes go up, even Yah’s tribes, according to an ordinance for Israel, to give thanks to Yahweh’s name.

5For there are set thrones for judgment, the thrones of David’s house.

6Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Those who love you will prosper.

7Peace be within your walls, and prosperity within your palaces.

8For my brothers’ and companions’ sakes, I will now say, “Peace be within you.”

9For the sake of the house of Yahweh our God, I will seek your good.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Videos
Reflection

Summary

A Song of Ascents — 'I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD'; a celebration of arriving at Jerusalem, praying for the city's peace and prosperity.

Authorship & Background

Author: Multiple authors — primarily David (73 psalms attributed), plus Asaph (12), Sons of Korah (11), Solomon (2), Moses (1), Heman (1), Ethan (1), and anonymous. The Psalter was compiled over approximately 1000 years and served as Israel's hymnal and prayer book. The book is divided into five 'books' (1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150), paralleling the five books of Moses. Key themes: worship, lament, praise, trust, kingship, creation, wisdom, Messianic prophecy, and the full range of human emotion brought before God.
Classification: Song of Ascents / Song of Zion Attributed Author: David (superscription: "A Song of degrees of David") Key Themes: Joy in going to God's house, love for Jerusalem, prayer for peace, unity of God's people, worship as communal destination
Historical Context: Psalm 122 is the third Song of Ascents and the pilgrim's song of ARRIVAL. After the distress of 120 and the journey of 121, the pilgrim reaches Jerusalem and expresses joy. The psalm celebrates Jerusalem as the place where tribes gather, where God's throne of justice stands, and where peace should be prayed for. "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem" (v.6) remains one of the most quoted phrases in all of Scripture. Jerusalem means "city of peace" (shalom), making the prayer for peace a play on the city's own name.
Structure:
  • Joy at the Invitation (v.1)
  • Arrival in Jerusalem (v.2)
  • Description of the City (vv.3-5)
  • Prayer for Peace (vv.6-9)

Map & Geography

  • Jerusalem (v.2, v.3, v.6): Capital of Judah; the holy city where the Temple stood.

Videos

The Bible Project — Psalms Overview

Reflection

  • 1. Be glad to worship (v.1). If the invitation to gather with God's people produces reluctance instead of gladness, examine your heart. Corporate worship is a privilege, not an obligation.
  • 2. Pray for peace (v.6). Pray for the peace of your church, your city, your nation. Peace doesn't happen by accident — it comes through prayer.
  • 3. Unity matters (vv.3-4). The tribes go up TOGETHER. Jerusalem is a city "compact together." God values the unity of His people gathered in one place.
  • 4. For the sake of others (v.8). Pursue peace not just for your own comfort but for the sake of your brothers and sisters. Community peace is everyone's responsibility.