Psalms 122:2-9

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.
6 Pray for Jerusalem's peace! Prosperity to all you Jerusalem-lovers!
7 Friendly insiders, get along! Hostile outsiders, keep your distance!
8 For the sake of my family and friends, I say it again: live in peace!
9 For the sake of the house of our God, God, I'll do my very best for you.

Psalms 122:2-9 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.

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.