Psalm 122

[ayin jade]

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.

[ayin jade]

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. 

[ayin jade]

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.

 

[ayin jade]

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;

[ayin jade]

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.

 

[BlindSeeker]

Have you thoughts on how this 3rd Song of Ascension, or Degrees, fits in its place of the overall 15 (Psms 120-134)?

Did you have  studies on the first two (120, 121)? 

Edited March 24 by BlindSeeker
grammar