Psalms 122:1-7

Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem.

1 I was glad when they said to me, "Let us 1go to the house of the LORD."
2 Our feet are standing Within your 2gates, O Jerusalem,
3 Jerusalem, that is 3built As a city that is 4compact together;
4 To which the tribes 5go up, even the tribes of the LORD - An ordinance for Israel - To give thanks to the name of the LORD.
5 For there 6thrones were set for judgment, The thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the 7peace of Jerusalem: "May they prosper who 8love you.
7 "May peace be within your 9walls, And prosperity within your 10palaces."

Psalms 122:1-7 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 122

\\<>\\. This is the first of the songs of degrees that bears the name of David: and Kimchi thinks they only were written by him which have his name to them; though he, Abendana, and others, are of opinion that this psalm was composed with a view to the captives in Babylon; who are here represented, and are represented as rejoicing at their going up to Jerusalem, to the solemn feasts there. The inscription in the Syriac version is, ``a "psalm" of David, one of the psalms of ascent, when Cyrus commanded the captivity to go up; spiritually, a promise of good things.'' 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 {a} they sung this by the way, when they carried the firstfruits to Jerusalem. {a} Weemse's Christ. Synagog. l. 1. c. 6. s. 4. p. 144.

Cross References 10

  • 1. Psalms 42:4; Isaiah 2:3; Micah 4:2; Zechariah 8:21
  • 2. Psalms 9:14; Psalms 87:2; Psalms 116:19; Jeremiah 7:2
  • 3. Psalms 48:13; Psalms 147:2
  • 4. 2 Samuel 5:9; Nehemiah 4:6
  • 5. Exodus 23:17; Deuteronomy 16:16; Psalms 84:5
  • 6. Deuteronomy 17:8; 2 Chronicles 19:8; Psalms 89:29
  • 7. Psalms 29:11; Jeremiah 29:7
  • 8. Psalms 102:14
  • 9. Psalms 51:18; Isaiah 62:6
  • 10. Psalms 48:3, 13; Jeremiah 17:27

Footnotes 2

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California.  All rights reserved.