Psalm 122

 122 (Biblical text in italics) - general note: compare to Psalms 46, 48, 76

1 I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of Yahweh.”  They go to the temple “That He may teach us concerning His ways And that we may walk in His paths.” (Isaiah 2:3b, see also Deuteronomy 12:5-7)  Now, we can meet with God wherever we are because of Christ (see John 4:19-23).

 

2 Our feet are standing
Within your gates, O Jerusalem,  They have arrived!  The psalmist is excited to be in Jerusalem, heading to the temple.  Jerusalem represents all believers (Galatians 4:26) and is a type of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:9-27).  


3 Jerusalem, which is built
As a city joined altogether;

4 To which the tribes, the tribes of Yah, go up—
A testimony for Israel—  See Psalm 87
To give thanks to the name of Yahweh. The people go to Jerusalem not just because of obedience, but mostly out of gratitude.  They go to celebrate the feasts as commanded, but these feasts remind them of the great things the Lord has done for them.  (Passover - Exodus 12, Feast of Weeks and Feast of Booths - Leviticus 23)  These feasts remind them of God’s goodness to them in saving them from Egypt and the the death angel and also His goodness to them in providing for their needs.  They are grateful because they remember that salvation is from the Lord, not from anything they have done.  


5 For there, thrones sit for judgment,
The thrones of the house of David.  Jerusalem is the center of worship and of government (see 2 Samuel 7).  Note that “house” is another word for “dynasty”.


6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:  “Shalom” or peace means wholeness and health (see Psalm 29:11).  Following is the prayer:
“May they prosper who love you.

7 May peace be within your walls,
And tranquility within your palaces.”  The Psalmist prays for the absence of war as well as wholeness and health, prosperity, and growth for Jerusalem.


8 For the sake of my brothers and my friends,
I will now say, “May peace be within you.”  There is a great sense of community among the people.


9 For the sake of the house of Yahweh our God,
I will seek your good.  The house of the Lord represents God’s presence.  The Psalmist seeks good for Jerusalem for God’s glory.

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