Psalms 122
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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.
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.
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.
Public Domain KJV text from Wordproject.org
Psalm 122:1-9
Let Us Go to the House of the Lord
A Song of Ascents. Of David.
1I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
2Our feet have been standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem!
3Jerusalem—built as a city
that is bound firmly together,
4to which the tribes go up,
the tribes of the Lord,
as was decreed for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the Lord.
5There thrones for judgment were set,
the thrones of the house of David.
6Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
“May they be secure who love you!
7Peace be within your walls
and security within your towers!”
8For my brothers and companions’ sake
I will say, “Peace be within you!”
9For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.
ESV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
Psalm 122:1-9
Psalm 122
A song of ascents. Of David.
1I rejoiced with those who said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
2Our feet are standing
in your gates, Jerusalem.
3Jerusalem is built like a city
that is closely compacted together.
4That is where the tribes go up—
the tribes of the Lord—
to praise the name of the Lord
according to the statute given to Israel.
5There stand the thrones for judgment,
the thrones of the house of David.
6Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May those who love you be secure.
7May there be peace within your walls
and security within your citadels.”
8For the sake of my family and friends,
I will say, “Peace be within you.”
9For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your prosperity.
NIV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
Commentary
Unity and urgency. Just two of several themes in a short, but very packed psalm.
Unity. Our church is a family. Families are made up of unique individuals and our church is no different. Like Israel of old we are made up of “tribes” – each with very different personalities and perspectives. This psalm was sung as “the tribes went up” to Jerusalem for the pilgrimage feasts. As David was glad when they said to him, “Let us go into the house of the LORD” (Psalms 122:1), we should also be glad for our meeting together; for, “…this is God's appointed means of leading His children into unity, in order that in Christian love and fellowship they may help, strengthen, and encourage one another… .” (Our High Calling, p. 166)
Urgency. Now, more than ever, as we, “see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25) we should “meet often to study His Word and to exhort one another to be faithful unto the end.” (OHC, p. 166) These opportunities will give us strength and guidance as we prepare for heaven.
To learn more about these Songs of Ascents (Psalms 120–134), read about the annual pilgrimages in The Desire of Ages, page 75.
Rachel Ortiz
Glendale, California (as of this writing)
