ayin jade

I have covid. Been a long time since I felt so sick.

I am glad you are still here. Sorry about getting covid again.

I recently got a metal pumpkin sign that says give thanks. I placed it where I can see it every time I get in the car... which is usually twice a day. I figured it was a good reminder to me during this rough time.

If by venting you mean telling the Lord of ones troubles and continue in faith with Him ... david in psalms gives us an example: Psalms 13 1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. How long will You forget me, O LORD? Forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? 2 How long shall I take counsel in my heart having sorrow in my heart daily? How long shall my enemy be lifted up over me? 3 Look! Answer me, O LORD my God; enlighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, 4 lest my enemy say, I have overcome him, and my foes rejoice when I am shaken. 5 But I have trusted in Your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. 6 I will sing to the LORD, because He has rewarded me. Notice how david maintains faith and worship of the Lord. His heart is wrapped up in the Lord If by venting you mean crying out to God and not relying on Him, then I do not think that is appropriate. Job vented without submitting to the will of God, without relying on the Lord, and is chastised for it: Job 40 1 And the LORD answered Job and said, 2 Shall a reprover contend with the Almighty? He who reproves God, let him answer it.

We have 2 good biblical examples to follow.... more when I get back from taking husband to work....

Psa 124:7 Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped. Our soul is escaped - They have escaped; their lives have been preserved. The bird is entangled, but the net breaks, and the bird escapes. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare - This is a fine image; and at once shows the weakness of the Jews, and the cunning of their adversaries. There was no apparent prospect of their escape: but the Lord was on their side. Today, satan, and wicked men under his influence, are like fowlers who lay snares for the people of God, to draw them into sin, into immorality and error, in order to bring them to ruin and destruction; hence we read of the snare of the devil and of wicked men, 1Ti 3:7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 2Ti 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. and who form plans and lay schemes to oppress and destroy; but through the wisdom given them to discern these devices and stratagems, and through the power of divine grace, accompanying them, they escape what was intended for their hurt. The snare is broken - It was not strong enough to retain the struggling bird, and the captive broke away. So they seemed to be caught. The enemy appeared to have them entirely in his power, but escape came as it does to the bird when it finds the net suddenly break, and itself again at large. Measures concerted by wicked men are broken, their schemes are confounded, their devices are disappointed, so that they cannot perform their enterprise; and by this means the saints escape the evils designed against them, the afflictions of the world, and the temptations of satan. Psa 124:8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth. Our help is in the name of the Lord - This is the conclusion the psalmist reaches: that help is in the Lord only, and not in any creature; and that it is right to put trust and confidence in the Lord for it, and only to expect it from Him. Pro 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. Who made heaven and earth - The great Creator; the true God. Deliverance can be ascribed to Him alone.Often in life, when delivered from danger, we may feel this; we always may feel this, and should feel this, when we think of the redemption of our souls. That is a work which we of ourselves could never have performed; which could not have been done for us by our fellow-men; which all creation combined could not have worked out; which could have been effected by no one but by Him who “made heaven and earth;” by Him who created all things. Col 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Col 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. who made heaven and earth - and therefore must be able to help His people, and to do more for them than they are able to ask or think: for what is it He cannot do that made the heavens and the earth, and all that is in them? Psa 121:1 A Song of degrees. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. Psa 121:2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

Psa 124:4 Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul: Then the waters had overwhelmed us - People, comparable to waters for their multitude, Strength, force, and impetuosity; which bear down all before them, and against which there is no standing; which, like the waters of the flood, overflow and destroy all they pass over. These are the floods of ungodly men, which are very destructive and terrible; Rev 17:15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. Psa 18:4 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. Together with all those reproaches, afflictions, and persecutions, which come along with them; which the presence of God only can bear up his people under, and carry them through. Psa 18:16 He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. Then the waters had overwhelmed us - The metaphor of water as a destructive force is common in the Old Testament Psa 42:7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. Psa 69:1-2 To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, A Psalm of David. Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. Psa 69:15 Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me. Lam 3:54 Waters flowed over mine head; then I said, I am cut off. the stream had gone over our soul - and so deprived them of life; the whole force of the enemy; which, like a stream, flows in with great strength and rapidity, when a breach is made and spreads itself. It refers to the enemies of God's people in general, which threaten their ruin, even their very souls and lives: it may be applied to the stream of corruptions, the flood of temptation and flow of persecutions. Psa 124:5 Then the proud waters had gone over our soul. Then the proud waters had gone over our soul - The word proud here is applied to the waters as if raging, swelling, rolling, tumultuous; as if they were self-confident, arrogant, haughty. Such raging billows, as they break and dash upon the shore, are a striking embIem of human passions, whether in an individual, or in a gathering of men - as an army, or a mob. Compare to Psa 65:7 Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people. This is a poetical embellishment, adding intensity to the expression. Then the proud waters had gone over our soul. The wicked, who, through their pride, persecute the poor saints: these proud tyrants and persecutors would prevail over them, to their ruin and destruction; who, for their number, force, and strength, and especially for their pride, haughtiness, and insolence, are like to the strong, boisterous, and swelling waves of the sea. Psa 124:6 Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. Blessed be the Lord - They have reason to praise the Lord because they have been delivered from these calamities. Thanksgiving for deliverance from all their enemies, their proud persecutors; and from all afflictions and troubles by them; which they could never have been delivered from, had not the Lord appeared for them; and therefore it is but just that He should have all the glory of it, and be blessed and praised on account thereof; Blessed be the Lord - God is the Author of all our deliverances, and He must have the glory. The enemies lay snares for God's people, to bring them into sin and trouble, and to hold them there. Sometimes they seem to prevail; but in the Lord let us put our trust, and we shall not be put to confusion. The believer will ascribe all the honor of his salvation, to the power, mercy, and truth of God, and look back with wonder and thanksgiving on the way in which the Lord has led him. Let us rejoice that our help for the time to come is in him who made heaven and earth. Who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth - The figure is here changed, though the same idea is retained. The image is now that of destruction by wild beasts - a form of destruction not less fearful than that which comes from overflowing waters. Such changes of imagery constantly occur in the Book of Psalms. The mind is full of a subject; numerous illustrations occur in the rapidity of thought; and the mind seizes upon one and then upon another as best suited to express the emotions of the soul. The next verse furnishes another instance of this sudden transition.

Psa 124:1 A Song of degrees of David. If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say; If it had not been the Lord who was on our side - The idea is, that someone had been with them, and had delivered them, and that such was the nature of the interposition that it could be ascribed to no one but the Lord. It bore unmistakable evidence that it was His work. The deliverance was of such a kind that it could have been accomplished by Him only. Such things often occur in life, when the intervention in our behalf is so remarkable that we can ascribe it to no one else but God. Now may Israel say - May well and truly say. The danger was so great, their helplessness was so manifest, and the deliverance was so clearly the work of God, that it was proper to say that if this had not occurred, ruin would have been inevitable and entire. Now may Israel say - Israel is to give thanks to God for past help and express confidence in His continuing help. Twice in the first two verses of this psalm, Israel is entreated to recognize that their help was in God alone. Psa 124:2 If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us: If it had not been the Lord who was on our side - This he repeats both for the confirmation of it, and to excite the attention of the Israelites to it; as well as to observe that it was not once only, but again and again, many times the Lord appeared to be on their side. When men rose up against us - When we were assailed by our enemies. On what occasion this occurred, it is now impossible to determine. Psa 124:3 Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us: Then they had swallowed us up quick - The word quick here means alive; and the idea is derived from persons swallowed up in an earthquake, or by the opening of the earth, as in the case of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. Num_16:32-33. The meaning here is, that they would have been destroyed as if they were swallowed up by the opening of the earth; that is, there would have been complete destruction. Then they had swallowed us up quick - Or "alive"; as the earth swallowed up Korah and his company; or as the fish swallowed up Jonah; or rather as ravenous beasts swallow their prey; to which the allusion is. The people of God are comparable to sheep and lambs, and such like innocent creatures: and the wicked to lions, tigers, wolves, bears, and such like beasts of prey that devour living creatures; When their wrath was kindled against us - Wrath is often represented in the Scriptures as burning or heated - as that which consumes all before it. when their wrath was kindled against us - which is cruel and outrageous; there is no standing against it, nor before it; it is like a fierce flame of fire that burns furiously, and there is no stopping it; none but God can restrain it.

This is one of the fifteen psalms, Psalms 120–134, to each of which is prefixed the title “A Song of Degrees.” Four of these psalms are ascribed to David, one of them to Solomon, and the rest are by unknown authors. There has been a great diversity of opinion as to the meaning of the title, and the reason why it was prefixed to these psalms. In other bible studies on this series of psalms, I examined the diverse views scholars applied to the meaning of Song of Degrees or Song of Ascent. I will briefly post on it below. Song of Degrees or Song of Ascent - Also called Song of Steps. A title given to 15 psalms (Psalms 120-134). There are several interpretations of what it refers to. One such view suggests they were sung as one went up a set of stairs in the temple, unlikely, as at least four were written before there was a temple with steps. Tourists today often read the 15 psalms as they climb the Southern Steps of the Second Temple. Rabbinic tradition does not associate these stairs with the Songs of Degrees. Another unlikely view is that it refers to the step-like progressive rhythm of their thoughts. Other scholars suppose that the title is a musical term, and that the reference is to something special in the rhythm, which in the East would be called “steps” or “ascents.” Some early church fathers suggested they are traveling songs of the returning exiles, although many of them indicate they are meant for the temple. The prevailing view is that the hymns were sung by pilgrim bands on their way to the three great festivals of the Jewish year. The journey to Jerusalem was called a “going up,” regardless of which direction they came from. Exodus 34:24 For I will cast out the nations before thee, and enlarge thy borders: neither shall any man desire thy land, when thou shalt go up to appear before the LORD thy God thrice in the year. 1 Kings 12:27 If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah. Psalm 122:1 A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. Many scholars refer to this collection of psalms as Pilgrim Psalms. All of the songs of degrees fit these annual pilgrimages. In reality, it is impossible to say for sure which is the correct meaning behind the phrase “Song of Degrees.” This psalm, one of the “Songs of Degrees,” is, like Psa_122, ascribed to David. In our present Hebrew copies this Psalm is attributed to David. This attribution is wanting in three versions of the ancient texts and also in the Septuagint. There is nothing in this psalm to contradict the view that it was composed by him, but it is now impossible to ascertain on what occasion it was written. The idea in the psalm is, that deliverance from trouble and danger is to be ascribed wholly to God; that the people of God are often in such circumstances that there is no human help for them, and that the praise of theft deliverance is due to God alone. Verses 1-4 are a thanksgiving of the godly for extraordinary deliverances. Verse 7 mentions the great danger they were in. Verse 8 speaks of their confidence in God. The Psalms 122 and 123 lead up to the joy expressed in this psalm, praising the Lord for deliverance from the sorrows expressed in the previous 2 psalms.

Noon and 73 outside.

Ug. You gave mohammed honor by using the peace be upon him honorific that muslims use.

Some perhaps do. For me personally, it is because He deserves my submission and adoration/worship. I know I fall short a lot of the time, but I try. Fortunately, salvation is His gift to me, through faith, not through any works I can do.

There was a group in arizona years back that acted as a militia. Peaceful. No one was harmed. The feds came down hard on them and they were forced under threat of being charged with multiple felonies to disband.

More are caught at northern border because the southern border is mostly ignored. For years on the southern border there have been islamic items ... quran etc.. left on the known illegal immigrant routes through the desert.

1 corinthians 13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

For the critics who claim it is only israel preventing gaza residents from leaving .... jordan and egypt are refusing to let them in. Jordan and Egypt have said they won't take in Palestinian refugees from Gaza. Experts on the Middle East told Insider that economic and security reasons are at play. They also don't want to be seen as complicit in the displacement of Palestinians, the experts said. https://www.businessinsider.com/why-jordan-egypt-say-no-to-refugees-from-gaza-experts-2023-10#:~:text=Jordan and Egypt have said,of Palestinians%2C the experts said.

@Walter and Deborah Do you believe the Holy Spirit is merely the power of God, or is He the third person of the Trinity?

My folks had a jar of pickled pigs feet in the fridge.... its no wonder I was borderline vegetarian for so long.

I doubt anyone here has ever dealt with radioactive dating ... I have. I used to take carbon 14 samples from archaeological sites and deal with the resulting data. At least 1/4 of all results were tossed out because they did not match the expected data, the results that researchers wanted. I know of sites in alaska that the primary researcher/archaeologist told me routinely dated 50,000 years in the future so they could not do any radioactive dating up there. Radioactive dating is flawed and often just based on assumptions.

Durian ice cream ... and by extension durian itself.... is banned from my car, my house and my husband. We had the ice cream once .... stunk up my car for 3 days.

Psa 122:8 For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. For my brethren and companions' sakes - David, though a king, reckoned his lowest subjects as his brethren, the people of God, who were spiritual men; and for their sakes, through the goodwill, love, and affection he bore to them, he would set praying souls an example, and by it enforce his own exhortation. As Christians are brothers and sisters in Christ. Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Joh 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. For my brethren and companions’ sakes – from a love of our neighbor. Lev 19:18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD. And Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment. Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Mat 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. I will now say, Peace be within thee – It is good to pray for others, for whatever their needs known and unknown, especially for the salvation of those who have yet to know Christ. Psa 122:9 Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good. Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good – because that is the place where God is worshipped. The principal attraction is that this is the place where the worship of God is celebrated. This expresses a deep feeling in the mind of a pious man. To him the church of God is the most important of all objects, gives the principal interest to a place, and is everywhere to him the source of chief comfort and delight. His heart is there; his main delight is there.

Psa 122:5 For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David. For there are set - thrones for judgment are established. Thrones of judgment - Seats for dispensing justice. The word throne is now commonly appropriated to the seat or chair of a king, but this is not necessarily the meaning here. The word may denote a seat or bench occupied by a judge. The meaning here is, that Jerusalem was the supreme seat of justice; the place where justice was dispensed for the nation. The thrones of the house of David - There were the public courts, and there the people went to obtain justice; and while the thrones of the house of David were there, they had justice. Appointed by David, the office of magistrates administered justice. The family of David would naturally be employed in such a service as this. This office, Absalom - who had not been appointed to it - earnestly desired, in order that he might secure popularity in his contemplated rebellion. 2Sa 15:4 Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! Psa 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem - Jerusalem has known much war and conflict, which continue to this day. It is good to pray for the often-elusive peace of Jerusalem, especially in these trying times. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem - The prosperity, the welfare of Jerusalem - for peace is everywhere the image of prosperity and happiness. This is the language which those who were going up to the city - to the house of the Lord - addressed to each other, expressing the joyful feelings of their hearts at their own near approach to the city. It breathes the desire that all would pray for the peace and prosperity of a city so dear to their own souls; where the worship of God was celebrated; where God Himself dwelt; where justice was administered: a city of so much importance and so much influence in the land. To us now it also indicates the duty of praying for the church: its peace; its unity; its prosperity; its increase; its influence on our country and on the world at large. It is a prayer that the church may not be divided by schism or heresy; that its members may cherish for each other right feelings; that there may be no jealousies, no envyings, and no jars; that the different branches of the church may regard and treat each other with kindness, with respect, and with mutual recognition; that prosperity may attend them all. They shall prosper that love thee - Or rather, They shall have peace that love thee. The word prosper conveys an idea which is not in the original. The Hebrew word “salah” (also spelled in English “salaw” is a verb meaning to be at ease, to be safe, to prosper. It indicates being in a state of peace, quiet, and safety, at ease (Job_3:26; Job_12:6; Jer_12:1). It refers to a time of quiet and safety, of wholeness for Jerusalem (Psa_122:6). The essential idea is that of quietness or rest; and the meaning here is, that those who love Zion will have peace; or, that the tendency of that love is to produce peace. Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: Psa 122:7 Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. Peace be within thy walls - The word rendered walls refers to the fortifications or defenses around Jerusalem. And prosperity within thy palaces – it is the same Hebrew word used in the previous verse rendered prosperity, and meaning peace or tranquility. Within thy palaces - as there were palaces in Jerusalem for the king, the nobles, and great men in the land;

Psa 122:3 Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together: Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together - literally, “joined to itself together;” when one part is bound closely to another part; not scattered or separate. The walls are all joined together; and the houses are all united to one another so as to make a compact place. The ground occupied by Jerusalem never could be large, as it was surrounded with valleys, except on the north, and hemmed in with hills, so that it was densely crowded. This was usual in ancient cities, when they were made compact for the sake of defense and protection. Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together - It is now well rebuilt, every part contributing to the strength of the whole. It is also a state of great political and spiritual union. It is the center of union to all the tribes, for each tribe has an equal interest in the God who is worshipped there. Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together - In David's time the upper and lower city were joined together, the streets regularly built, the houses contiguous, not straggling about. David had conquered the city of Jerusalem, taking it from the Jebusites who held it as a Canaanite stronghold. Psa 122:4 Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD. Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord - The twelve tribes of Israel; the males of them went up three times a year to Jerusalem to worship, at the feasts of passover, pentecost, and tabernacles. Whither the tribes go up - To the great feasts and festivals of the nation. Exo 23:17 Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord GOD. This language of going up is literally true of Jerusalem, since it was elevated far above most parts of the land. The tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel - The “ark of testimony;” the ark within which were the tables of stone, containing the law considered as God’s testimony or witnessing as to justice, right, equity, duty, truth. The law is called a testimony, because it testified the will of God to be done. The testimony of Israel - The ark, where the presence of God is manifested in the holy of holies; and there all the tribes assembled to worship the Lord. The Gospel is called the testimony of Christ; and it is what testifies concerning His person, office, and grace, unto the Israel of God; and who go up to the house of God in order to hear it; To give thanks unto the name of the Lord - To give thanks for all his mercies and blessings, both temporal and spiritual; and which should be acknowledged, not only in a private manner, but publicly in the house of God; Psa 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. A main part of Hebrew worship was praise, and hence, this is often put for the whole of worship.

Psa 122:1 A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. A Song of degrees of David. This is the first of the 4 songs of degrees that bears the name of David. He wrote it both for what Jerusalem was in his day, and for what it would become. David wrote Psalms 122 as one who made a pilgrimage to the Holy City. I was glad - I was glad when they said unto me - Or, "I rejoiced in", or "because of, those that said unto me"; or, "in what was said unto me". The thought of going to worship filled the psalmist with joy. The language is expressive of the, happiness which is felt by those who love God and His sanctuary, when the stated time of worship returns. The heart is drawn to the house of prayer; the soul is filled with peace at the prospect of being again permitted to worship God. I was glad - All who have made the Book of Psalms their study must have been struck with the deep and unaffected piety of the authors. The psalmists speak throughout the whole book of praising God, and praying to God as none could speak unless they were in earnest. There is a fervor in the language used by them which proves how surely their hearts were interested in what they uttered; which shows that religion was not to them a hollow form, something put on for policy or custom’s sake, but a living, animating principle of conduct, the bread of their spiritual life, as necessary for their happiness as the food they ate was for their bodily existence. I was glad – We should be glad to go to church, not because it is entertaining, especially in an age when entertainment is a dangerous idol, but because we strongly desire to worship our Lord. Not everything that happens at the house of the LORD must be fun, but it should all be good, both welcoming to the unbeliever and good for those who are believers in Jesus. If going to the house of the LORD is not a glad thing, then one’s heart should be examined prayerfully. The problem could be in the Christian or it could be the substance of the particular church one is attending. When they said unto me - When the time arrived. The announcement was joyful; the invitation was welcome. It met the desires of the heart, and the invitation was embraced cheerfully and joyfully. Let us go into the house of the Lord - Up to the place where God dwells; the house which He has made His abode. Since the psalm was composed in the time of David, this would refer to the tabernacle as fixed by him on Mount Zion. let us go into the house of the Lord - the house of the sanctuary, the tabernacle, the place of divine worship. Now it is both the duty and privilege of believers to go into it; here they find spiritual pleasure, enjoy abundance of peace and comfort, and have their spiritual strength renewed. It is good and important for us to gather in church with God’s people for prayers, worship, and receiving of God’s word. Psa 122:2 Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem - We shall enter the sacred city where David set up the tabernacle and where the ark of the covenant and the altar of sacrifice are. It appears now in full view before us. We shall not stand and gaze upon it at a distance; we shall not merely be charmed with its beauty as we approach it; we shall accomplish the object of our desire, and enter within its walls and gates. So the believer approaches heaven - the New Jerusalem above. he will not merely admire its exterior, and look upon it at a distance; but he will enter in. Rev 21:2-3 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

It seems especially appropriate now to post my study notes on this psalm, since one verse tells us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. For those not familiar with my studies, I post the entire psalm in segments with notes Ive gleamed from multiple commentaries. Overview Psalms 122 is the oldest of the Psalms of Degrees. According to one scholar, it was composed by David possibly to supply the northern Israelites with a pilgrim-song in their journeys to Zion, where Asaph had warned them to repair, now that the ark was transferred from Shiloh there Psalms 78:67-69 Psa 78:67 Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim: Psa 78:68 But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved. Psa 78:69 And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established for ever. This psalm is expressly ascribed to David, though it is not known why it should be classed among the “Songs of Degrees.” On the supposition that these were used by the pilgrims in “going up” to Jerusalem to worship, and that they were sung by the way, this psalm would be particularly appropriate, and is one of the very few, in the entire collection of fifteen, that would be appropriate. This psalm evidently was used on some such occasion, and is beautifully suited to such a design. There is no reason to doubt that it is a composition of David, but it is not now possible to ascertain at what period of his life, or on what particular occasion, it was composed. One scholar has endeavored to show that the psalm must have been composed at a later period in the Jewish history than the time of David. His arguments are: (1) that these “Psalms of Degrees” mostly pertain to a later period, and yet that they are closely connected together in sense; (2) that the language indicates a later period than the time of David; (3) that the pilgrimage to Jerusalem was not instituted until a later age than that of David; (4) that the mention of the “thrones of the house of David” Psa_122:5 indicates a later age; and (5) that Jerusalem is represented Psa_122:3 as a city already built - probably referring to Jerusalem as rebuilt after the captivity. It will be found, however, in the exposition of the psalm, that there is no part of it which is not applicable to David and his times. This psalm shows us Esteem for Jerusalem in Psa_122:1-5 Concern for its welfare in Psa_122:6-9 It seems to be designed for the use of the Israelites, and to be sung by them when they went up to the feasts, three times a year. Some say they sung this by the way, when they carried the first fruits to Jerusalem.