Psalms 122 Study Notes: Joy in Going Up to Jerusalem
David recalls his gladness at the call to worship at the LORD's house and the pilgrims' arrival in Jerusalem, where the tribes gather to give thanks and David's royal line sits in judgment. He urges prayer for the city's peace out of love for his people and God's house.
General
How does David respond in 122:1 when others invite him to go up and worship?
Answer: He rejoices at the invitation
The heading names this a song of ascents and credits it to David. Songs of ascents are traditionally associated with worshipers going up to Jerusalem. David recalls his gladness when others invited him to go to the LORD's house, and then the pilgrims are pictured standing inside Jerusalem's gates (122:1-2). The joy is in drawing near to God where He had chosen to be worshiped. Psalm 84 voices the same longing for God's courts (Psalm 84:1-2), another psalmist recalls walking with the crowds in joyful procession to worship (Psalm 42:4), and Isaiah pictures many peoples urging one another to climb to the LORD's house to learn His ways (Isaiah 2:3).
- Psalm 122:1-2 (BSB)“A song of ascents. Of David. I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.” Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem.”David rejoices at the invitation to worship, and the pilgrims find themselves standing inside Jerusalem's gates.
- Psalm 84:1-2 (BSB)“For the choirmaster. According to Gittith. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. How lovely is Your dwelling place, O LORD of Hosts! My soul longs, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.”The sons of Korah express the same longing for the courts of the LORD.
- Psalm 42:4 (BSB)“These things come to mind as I pour out my soul: how I walked with the multitude, leading the festive procession to the house of God with shouts of joy and praise.”The psalmist remembers leading the joyful procession to the house of God.
- Isaiah 2:3 (BSB)“And many peoples will come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways so that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”Isaiah pictures many peoples urging one another to go up to the house of the God of Jacob.
Theological
What is David's reaction in 122:1 to the call to journey to the LORD's house?
Answer: He rejoices at the invitation
This song of ascents, attributed to David in its heading, opens with his delight at the summons to worship and the pilgrims' arrival within Jerusalem's gates (122:1-2). The joy centers on communion with God at the place of His chosen presence, the same longing expressed in Psalm 84:1-2 and the festal memory of Psalm 42:4. Isaiah 2:3 extends the invitation to the nations, who urge one another to climb to the LORD's mountain and house.
- Psalm 122:1-2 (BSB)“A song of ascents. Of David. I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.” Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem.”David rejoices at the invitation to worship, and the pilgrims find themselves standing inside Jerusalem's gates.
- Psalm 84:1-2 (BSB)“For the choirmaster. According to Gittith. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. How lovely is Your dwelling place, O LORD of Hosts! My soul longs, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.”The sons of Korah express the same longing for the courts of the LORD.
- Psalm 42:4 (BSB)“These things come to mind as I pour out my soul: how I walked with the multitude, leading the festive procession to the house of God with shouts of joy and praise.”The psalmist remembers leading the joyful procession to the house of God.
- Isaiah 2:3 (BSB)“And many peoples will come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways so that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”Isaiah pictures many peoples urging one another to go up to the house of the God of Jacob.
General
What reasons does David give in 122:8-9 for seeking Jerusalem's peace and good?
Answer: Love for his companions and for the LORD's house
David calls on the people to pray for Jerusalem's peace and then speaks a blessing of peace and prosperity over its walls and fortresses (122:6-7). He gives two reasons: on behalf of his brothers and friends, and on behalf of God's house, he will seek the city's good (122:8-9). Jerusalem mattered because God's people lived there and because it was where God had placed His house. Another psalm praises it as God's own city, belonging to the great King (Psalm 48:1-2). The New Testament tells believers in Christ that they have drawn near to Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22), and Paul calls the Jerusalem above the mother of believers (Galatians 4:26).
- Psalm 122:6-9 (BSB)“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you prosper. May there be peace within your walls, and prosperity inside your fortresses.” For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.” For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity.”David calls for prayer for Jerusalem's peace and gives his reasons: his brothers and friends, and the LORD's house.
- Psalm 48:1-2 (BSB)“A song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, His holy mountain. Beautiful in loftiness, the joy of all the earth, like the peaks of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the great King.”Jerusalem is praised as the city of our God and of the great King.
- Hebrews 12:22 (BSB)“Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to myriads of angels”Hebrews tells believers they have drawn near to Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem.
- Galatians 4:26 (BSB)“But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.”Paul speaks of the Jerusalem above as the mother of believers.
Theological
On what two grounds does David seek Jerusalem's welfare in 122:8-9?
Answer: Love for his companions and for the LORD's house
After calling for prayer for Jerusalem's peace and pronouncing peace over its walls and strongholds (122:6-7), David states his motives: love for his brothers and companions, and devotion to the LORD's house (122:8-9). His concern for the city flows from love for God's people and for the place of God's presence, the great King's city (Psalm 48:1-2). The New Testament speaks of believers coming to Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22), and of the Jerusalem above as their mother (Galatians 4:26).
- Psalm 122:6-9 (BSB)“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you prosper. May there be peace within your walls, and prosperity inside your fortresses.” For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.” For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity.”David calls for prayer for Jerusalem's peace and gives his reasons: his brothers and friends, and the LORD's house.
- Psalm 48:1-2 (BSB)“A song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, His holy mountain. Beautiful in loftiness, the joy of all the earth, like the peaks of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the great King.”Jerusalem is praised as the city of our God and of the great King.
- Hebrews 12:22 (BSB)“Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to myriads of angels”Hebrews tells believers they have drawn near to Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem.
- Galatians 4:26 (BSB)“But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.”Paul speaks of the Jerusalem above as the mother of believers.
General
What does 122:5 say stands in Jerusalem?
Answer: Seats of justice belonging to David's royal line
Besides being the place of worship, Jerusalem was the seat of government: there stood the judgment thrones belonging to David's house (122:5). The king was responsible to give justice to the people, and David is remembered as reigning over all Israel with justice and righteousness (2 Samuel 8:15). God had promised David that his house and throne would last forever (2 Samuel 7:16). The New Testament shows that promise fulfilled in Jesus: the angel told Mary that God would give Jesus David's throne and that His kingdom would never end (Luke 1:32-33).
- Psalm 122:5 (BSB)“For there the thrones of judgment stand, the thrones of the house of David.”Jerusalem is the seat of justice for David's royal line.
- 2 Samuel 8:15 (BSB)“Thus David reigned over all Israel and administered justice and righteousness for all his people:”David reigned over all Israel and administered justice and righteousness for his people.
- 2 Samuel 7:16 (BSB)“Your house and kingdom will endure forever before Me, and your throne will be established forever.””God promised that David's house, kingdom, and throne would endure forever.
- Luke 1:32-33 (BSB)“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!””The angel announces that Jesus will receive the throne of His father David and reign forever.
Theological
What institution does 122:5 locate in Jerusalem?
Answer: Seats of justice belonging to David's royal line
Jerusalem was both the place of worship and the seat of the Davidic monarchy, where the thrones for judgment of David's house stood (122:5). Justice was a central royal duty, exemplified in David's reign (2 Samuel 8:15). The Davidic covenant promised David an everlasting house and throne (2 Samuel 7:16), and Luke 1:32-33 identifies Jesus as the heir who receives David's throne and reigns forever.
- Psalm 122:5 (BSB)“For there the thrones of judgment stand, the thrones of the house of David.”Jerusalem is the seat of justice for David's royal line.
- 2 Samuel 8:15 (BSB)“Thus David reigned over all Israel and administered justice and righteousness for all his people:”David reigned over all Israel and administered justice and righteousness for his people.
- 2 Samuel 7:16 (BSB)“Your house and kingdom will endure forever before Me, and your throne will be established forever.””God promised that David's house, kingdom, and throne would endure forever.
- Luke 1:32-33 (BSB)“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!””The angel announces that Jesus will receive the throne of His father David and reign forever.
General
According to 122:3-4, why do the tribes travel to Jerusalem?
Answer: To give thanks and praise to the LORD's name
Jerusalem is described as a city closely joined together, the place where the LORD's tribes go up (122:3-4). Their purpose is worship: to thank and praise the LORD's name, bearing witness for Israel. God's law had told Israel to seek the one place He would choose to set His Name, rejoicing there before Him (Deuteronomy 12:5-7), and it required the men of Israel to appear before Him at the three great yearly feasts (Deuteronomy 16:16). Jerusalem, home of the LORD's house, was the place where all the tribes gathered as one people before one God.
- Psalm 122:3-4 (BSB)“Jerusalem is built up as a city united together, where the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, as a testimony for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD.”Jerusalem is the gathering place where the tribes go up to give thanks to the LORD.
- Deuteronomy 16:16 (BSB)“Three times a year all your men are to appear before the LORD your God in the place He will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles. No one should appear before the LORD empty-handed.”The Law required Israel's men to appear before the LORD three times a year at the place He would choose.
- Deuteronomy 12:5-7 (BSB)“Instead, you must seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to establish as a dwelling for His Name, and there you must go. To that place you are to bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and heave offerings, your vow offerings and freewill offerings, as well as the firstborn of your herds and flocks. There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your households shall eat and rejoice in all you do, because the LORD your God has blessed you.”Israel was to seek the place God chose for His Name and rejoice there before Him.
Theological
What purpose does 122:3-4 give for the tribes' going up to Jerusalem?
Answer: To give thanks and praise to the LORD's name
The compact, united city is the destination of the LORD's tribes, who go up to thank His name as a witness for Israel (122:3-4). The pilgrimage is covenant obedience expressed in worship. Deuteronomy 12:5-7 directed Israel to the place God would choose to set His Name, and Deuteronomy 16:16 required appearance before Him at the three annual feasts. Jerusalem thus functioned as the center of Israel's unified worship of the one God.
- Psalm 122:3-4 (BSB)“Jerusalem is built up as a city united together, where the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, as a testimony for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD.”Jerusalem is the gathering place where the tribes go up to give thanks to the LORD.
- Deuteronomy 16:16 (BSB)“Three times a year all your men are to appear before the LORD your God in the place He will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles. No one should appear before the LORD empty-handed.”The Law required Israel's men to appear before the LORD three times a year at the place He would choose.
- Deuteronomy 12:5-7 (BSB)“Instead, you must seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to establish as a dwelling for His Name, and there you must go. To that place you are to bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and heave offerings, your vow offerings and freewill offerings, as well as the firstborn of your herds and flocks. There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your households shall eat and rejoice in all you do, because the LORD your God has blessed you.”Israel was to seek the place God chose for His Name and rejoice there before Him.