Reflections on Psalms 122

 Psalms 122(Contemporary English Version)

1. (A song by David for worship.) It made me glad to hear them say, "Let's go to the house of the LORD!"
   
2. Jerusalem, we are standing inside your gates.
   
3. Jerusalem, what a strong and beautiful city you are!
   
4. Every tribe of the LORD obeys him and comes to you to praise his name.
   
5. David's royal throne is here where justice rules.
   
6. Jerusalem, we pray that you will have peace, and that all will go well for those who love you.
   
7. May there be peace inside your city walls and in your palaces.
   
8. Because of my friends and my relatives, I will pray for peace.
   
9. And because of the house of the LORD our God, I will work for your good.

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Authored by David, this is another psalm or song of ascent to be sung during the annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem for worship. David rejoiced when they said to themselves, "Let us go to the house of the LORD." Associated with this pilgrimage were several fond experiences. There was, of course, the experience of meeting God in worship. But along with this was the experiences of coming to the temple and to the city of Jerusalem, the city God chose for His temple, His meeting place with His people. All of this was special to the spiritual pilgrim. To them, Jerusalem was built as a city should be built. Besides being the location of the temple, Jerusalem was where justice was administered for Israel as was pointed out in verse 5, "There, thrones for judgment are placed, thrones of the house of David."

Because of this special status of Jerusalem, the Jew was admonished to "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem." And so they prayed: "May those who love you prosper; may there be peace within your walls, prosperity within your fortresses." (122:6-7) Peace was illusive for Jerusalem, however, for it required faithfulness toward God on the part of Israel which was also illusive.