Psalms 122:3-9

3 Jerusalem, that is 1built As a city that is 2compact together;
4 To which the tribes 3go up, even the tribes of the LORD - An ordinance for Israel - To give thanks to the name of the LORD.
5 For there 4thrones were set for judgment, The thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the 5peace of Jerusalem: "May they prosper who 6love you.
7 "May peace be within your 7walls, And prosperity within your 8palaces."
8 For the sake of my 9brothers and my friends, I will now say, "10May peace be within you."
9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will 11seek your good.

Psalms 122:3-9 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 11

  • 1. Psalms 48:13; Psalms 147:2
  • 2. 2 Samuel 5:9; Nehemiah 4:6
  • 3. Exodus 23:17; Deuteronomy 16:16; Psalms 84:5
  • 4. Deuteronomy 17:8; 2 Chronicles 19:8; Psalms 89:29
  • 5. Psalms 29:11; Jeremiah 29:7
  • 6. Psalms 102:14
  • 7. Psalms 51:18; Isaiah 62:6
  • 8. Psalms 48:3, 13; Jeremiah 17:27
  • 9. Psalms 133:1
  • 10. 1 Samuel 25:6; John 20:19
  • 11. Nehemiah 2:10; Esther 10:3

Footnotes 2

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