# Psalm 122 📖: To the House of the Lord [[📚 Explore the Bible Books]] [[-Psalm Overview]] | [[Psalm 121]] | [[Psalm 123]] > [!info] Table of Contents > [[#📜 Scripture Text (NET)]] > [[#📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary]] > [[#🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights]] > [[#🧠 Chapter Summary]] > [[#✝️ Christ in This Chapter]] > [[#🔎 Key Principles / 🛟 Life Application]] > [[#💬 Discussion Questions]] > [[#✍️ Key Verses to Remember]] > [[#🔗 Related Passages/Cross Reference]] > [[#🙏 Devotional Reflection]] > [[#📂 Internal Notes]] ## 📜 Scripture Text (NET) (The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005) #### A song of ascents; by David. [[#Verse 01.]] I was glad because they said to me, “We will go to the Lord’s temple.” [[#Verse 02.]] Our feet are standing inside your gates, O Jerusalem. [[#Verse 03.]] Jerusalem is a city designed to accommodate an assembly. [[#Verse 04.]] The tribes go up there, the tribes of the Lord, where it is required that Israel give thanks to the name of the Lord. [[#Verse 05.]] Indeed, the leaders sit there on thrones and make legal decisions, on the thrones of the house of David. [[#Verse 06.]] Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May those who love her prosper. [[#Verse 07.]] May there be peace inside your defenses, and prosperity inside your fortresses. [[#Verse 08.]] For the sake of my brothers and my neighbors I will say, “May there be peace in you.” [[#Verse 09.]] For the sake of the temple of the Lord our God I will pray for you to prosper. ## 📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary ###### Overall. ###### Verse 01. ###### Verse 02. ###### Verse 03. ###### Verse 04. ###### Verse 05. ###### Verse 06. ###### Verse 07. ###### Verse 08. ###### Verse 09. ## 🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights 1. Psalm 122 is a Song of Ascents attributed to David in its heading. 2. It is a pilgrim song for arriving in Jerusalem after the journey (122:2). 3. The Law commanded all Israelite men to appear before the Lord three times a year for the feasts (Deuteronomy 16:16). 4. Jerusalem is described as a city closely joined together (122:3), possibly a picture of its tight walls or the unity of the people. 5. "Thrones of judgment" for the house of David (122:5) reflect Jerusalem as the center of both worship and justice. 6. There is a wordplay in 122:6. "Pray for the peace (*shalom*) of Jerusalem" plays on the sound of the city's name. 7. The word for "secure" in 122:6-7 (*shalah*, *shalvah*) also echoes the sound of *shalom*. 8. Psalm 122 inspired the anthem "I Was Glad" by Hubert Parry, sung at British coronations since 1902. 9. The psalm moves from personal joy (122:1) to concern for the whole community (122:8-9). 10. The final verse gives the reason for praying for the city's good: the house of the Lord is there (122:9). ## 🧠 Chapter Summary > [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way. ## ✝️ Christ in This Chapter Christ is the true temple and the heart of the heavenly Jerusalem (John 2:19-21; Hebrews 12:22-24). As the Son of David on David's throne (122:5), He makes peace for all who come to Him (Ephesians 2:14). ## 🔎 Key Principles / 🛟 Life Application > [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way. ## 💬 Discussion Questions 1. David was glad when people invited him to go to the house of the Lord (122:1). What makes gathering with God's people a joy for you, and what makes it hard? 2. The tribes went up to Jerusalem together to give thanks (122:4). Why does God call us to worship together and not just alone? 3. We are told to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (122:6-8). How can you pray for peace for your church and city? ## ✍️ Key Verses to Remember - 📖 verse 1: I was glad because they said, "We will go to the Lord's temple." - 📖 verse 4: The tribes go up to Jerusalem to give thanks to the name of the Lord. - 📖 verses 6-7: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and for security within her walls. ## 🔗 Related Passages/Cross Reference - 🔗 [[Deuteronomy 16#Verse 16.|Deuteronomy 16:16]] - Appearing before the Lord three times a year. - 🔗 [[Hebrews 12#Verse 22.|Hebrews 12:22-24]] - You have come to Mount Zion and the heavenly Jerusalem. - 🔗 [[Hebrews 10#Verse 24.|Hebrews 10:24-25]] - Do not neglect meeting together. - 🔗 [[John 02#Verse 19.|John 2:19-21]] - Jesus speaks of the temple of His body. - 🔗 [[Galatians 04#Verse 26.|Galatians 4:26]] - The Jerusalem above is free. ## 🙏 Devotional Reflection > [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way. ## 📂 Internal Notes