Psalms 122:1-7

1 A song of ascents. By David: I was glad when they said to me, "The house of ADONAI! Let's go!"

2 Our feet were already standing at your gates, Yerushalayim.

3 Yerushalayim, built as a city fostering friendship and unity.

4 The tribes have gone up there, the tribes of ADONAI, as a witness to Isra'el, to give thanks to the name of ADONAI.

5 For there the thrones of justice were set up, the thrones of the house of David.

6 Pray for shalom in Yerushalayim; may those who love you prosper.

7 May shalom be within your ramparts, prosperity in your palaces.

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.