Psalms 122:3

3 Jerusalem, well-built city, built as a place for worship!

Psalms 122:3 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 122:3

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, here and there one F3. So the church of God, like that, is built in a good situation, on a rock and hill, where it is firm and visible; like a city full of inhabitants, governed by wholesome laws, under proper officers; a free city, which enjoys many privileges and immunities; a well fortified one, having salvation for walls and bulwarks about it; a royal city, the city of the great King, the city of our God, the name of which is "Jehovahshammah", the Lord is there: and this is "compact together" when its citizens are united in affection to one another; agree in their religious sentiments; join in social worships, and live in subjection to one Head and King, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Jews often speak, and so some of their commentators on this passage, of a Jerusalem above and below, and of the one being made like unto the other: so the Targum,

``Jerusalem is built in the firmament as a city, as Jerusalem on earth;''

see ( Galatians 4:26 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F3 Hecataeus, an Heathen writer, describes Jerusalem as a strong fortified city, fifty furlongs in circumference; and inhabited by twelve myriads, or a hundred and twenty thousand men. Vid. Euseb. Praepar. Evangel. l. 9. c. 4.

Psalms 122:3 In-Context

1 When they said, "Let's go to the house of God," my heart leaped for joy.
2 And now we're here, O Jerusalem, inside Jerusalem's walls!
3 Jerusalem, well-built city, built as a place for worship!
4 The city to which the tribes ascend, all God's tribes go up to worship, To give thanks to the name of God - this is what it means to be Israel.
5 Thrones for righteous judgment are set there, famous David-thrones.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.