Bible Commentaries
Psalms 122

Verses 1-9

Psalms 122

The Psalm of Gladness

Scripture v. 1-9:

Verse 1 was sung as the pilgrims of Israel formed a proces­sion, at the gates of Jerusalem, to go into the sanctuary of the temple for worship. It was a testimony as each sang to the other, "I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord," to worship, sing, listen to the word, and praise the Lord, Isaiah 2:3; Zechariah 8:21. Christians should have that same spirit today, for there the Lord is present always, in the power of His spirit, Matthew 18:10; John 14:16-17; Matthew 28:20; Ephesians 3:21; Hebrews 10:24-25.

Verses 2, 3 resolve, "our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together," 2 Samuel 5:9; 2 Samuel 5:12. As the church is Ephesians 2:21; 1 Chronicles 11:8. Where God dwells, men should desire to be, 2 Chronicles 7:14-16; Matthew 18:20. There is joy and pleasure in the fellowship of the saints in the house (church) of the Lord, not found elsewhere, Psalms 133 : John 14:16-17.

Verse 4 explains that it is there in the Jerusalem temple (sanctuary) "whither the tribes (twelve) go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord," a worthy, noble thing, three times each year, Exodus 23:17; Deuteronomy 16, 16.

Verse 5 relates, "For there are set (established) thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David," of the tribe of Judah, Deuteronomy 17:8; 2 Chronicles 19:8. Jerusalem was the civil capital of the nation where courts of equity were held, 2 Samuel 5:9; 2 Samuel 6:16, as ordained Deuteronomy 17:8-9; The house of David had supplanted, superseded that of Saul, 2 Samuel 3:1; 2 Samuel 7:11-13; 2 Samuel 7:19; 2 Samuel 7:25; Psalms 21:4; Psalms 18:50; Luke 1:32-33.

Verse 6 exhorts "pray for the peace of Jerusalem:" promising, "they shall prosper that love thee," because of her abodes of the Lord, His sanctuary that He loved, and because it was the center of national, public worship of His chosen people, 2 Chronicles 7:15-16; God prospers those who love, obey, and worship Him, Joshua 1:8; Psalms 1:3; Psalms 51:18; Psalms 76:2.

Verse 7 declares, "peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces." Let tranquillity reign in this center of civil and religious rule; And the people of God shall have fruits of prosperity from it, is the idea, 1 Chronicles 12:18; Isaiah 9:7; John 14:27; Psalms 48:13.

Verse 8 declares "For my brethren (Israel) and companion’s sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee," as also longingly expressed, Psalms 16:3; Psalms 119:63; Ephesians 4:4-6; James 3:13; James 3:18.

Verse 9 concludes that, "Because of the house of the Lord our God, I will speak thy good;" The house or sanctuary of God was more the people of God (Israel), who administered His order of worship, than the temple sanctuary, even as the church, (the baptized, obedient believers who carry His program of work today) are the house of God, that Jesus built and indwells in this age; It Is declared to be better than the one that Moses built, Hebrews 3:1-6; Mark 13:34-35; 1 Timothy 3:15. As verse 1 began, so verse 9 concludes, in praise of worship in the house of the lord today the church that Jesus built, and is building, Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 3:21; Psalms 27:4.