Psalm 122:4-9

4 To which the tribes ¹go up, even the tribes of the LORD - An ordinance for Israel - To give thanks to the name of the LORD.

5 For there ²thrones were set for judgment, The thrones of the house of David.

6 Pray for the ³peace of Jerusalem: "May they prosper who ⁴love you.

7 "May peace be within your ⁵walls, And prosperity within your ⁶palaces."

8 For the sake of my ⁷brothers and my friends, I will now say, "⁸May peace be within you."

9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will ⁹seek your good.

Psalm 122:4-9 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.

Cross References

• 1. Exodus 23:17; Deuteronomy 16:16; Psalms 84:5
• 2. Deuteronomy 17:8; 2 Chronicles 19:8; Psalms 89:29
• 3. Psalms 29:11; Jeremiah 29:7
• 4. Psalms 102:14
• 5. Psalms 51:18; Isaiah 62:6
• 6. Psalms 48:3, 13; Jeremiah 17:27
• 7. Psalms 133:1
• 8. 1 Samuel 25:6; John 20:19
• 9. Nehemiah 2:10; Esther 10:3

Footnotes

• [a] Heb YAH
• [b] Or "A testimony"