David
Psalm 122
A Song of degrees of David.
Scripture (KJV)
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.
Summary
Psalm 122 is a Song of Ascents attributed to David, expressing the joy of pilgrimage to Jerusalem. The psalmist’s heart leaps at the invitation, “Let us go into the house of the Lord,” and he imagines his feet standing within the city’s gates. He describes Jerusalem as a city compact together, where the tribes go up to give thanks to the name of the Lord and where the thrones of the house of David stand for judgment. The psalm then becomes a prayer for the peace and prosperity of Jerusalem, motivated by love for “my brethren and companions” and for “the house of the Lord our God.”
The major themes are worship, pilgrimage, unity, peace, and love for God’s city. The famous call, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem,” links personal worship with public intercession. Practically, the psalm teaches that gladness in gathered worship and intercession for God’s people belong together, and that those who love God’s house will seek its good. The great lesson is that the joy of worship fuels prayer for the peace of God’s people.
Key Themes
A Prayer from Psalm 122
Lord, I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord.” Let my feet stand within Your gates, O Jerusalem. You build Your city compact together, where the tribes go up to give thanks to Your name. I pray for the peace of Jerusalem; may those who love her prosper. Let peace be within her walls and prosperity within her palaces. For the sake of my brethren and companions, I say, “Peace be within you.” Because of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek the good of Your people. Make my gladness in worship overflow into intercession for Your church, and unite Your people in the peace of Your presence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection Questions
- 1How do I respond when invited to gather for worship with God’s people?
- 2What does it mean to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” today?
- 3How does love for God’s house shape my love for His people?
- 4In what practical ways can I “seek the good” of my spiritual community?
Related Psalms
Psalm 121
“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.”
Psalm 121 is one of the "Songs of Ascents" sung by pilgrims journeying up to Jerusalem.
Read morePsalm 123
“Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.”
Psalm 123 is a brief Song of Ascents of humble dependence.
Read morePsalm 125
“They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.”
Psalm 125 is a Song of Ascents that uses the geography of Jerusalem to portray the security of God’s people.
Read morePsalm 48
“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.”
A hymn to Zion, the city of the great King, secure forever.
Read morePsalm 87
“His foundation is in the holy mountains.”
A hymn to Zion, the city of God, where all nations find their home.
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