Dive Into the Book of Psalms

Today's Featured Psalm
Psalm 122

Read this Psalm

A Song of Ascents. Of David.

1 I was glad when they said to me,
   “Let us go to the house of the LORD!”
2 Our feet have been standing
   within your gates, O Jerusalem!

3 Jerusalem—built as a city
   that is bound firmly together,
4 to which the tribes go up,
   the tribes of the LORD,
as was decreed for Israel,
   to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
5 There thrones for judgment were set,
   the thrones of the house of David.

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
   “May they be secure who love you!
7 Peace be within your walls
   and security within your towers!”
8 For my brothers and companions’ sake
   I will say, “Peace be within you!”
9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,
   I will seek your good.

Scripture taken from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Psalm Devotional
The Joy of the Church

Psalm 122 is the third in the Songs of Ascents (120-134). The series’ theme of ascending to the temple in Jerusalem (Exod. 23:14-17) is very prominent in this psalm. The Songs of Ascents are well suited to our praise as we ascend in the Spirit into God’s presence in public worship (Heb. 12:22-24). These psalms are good choices for elders as they call God’s people to worship.

Psalm 122 is connected to David, and nothing precludes his authorship. He is the one whom God used to conquer Jerusalem and make it His chosen dwelling place. He is the one who rejoiced to bring the ark there and earnestly sought the good of the city by means of justice (2 Sam. 5:6-10; Ps. 101). The main point of this psalm is joy in the house of the Lord in Jerusalem and, therefore, prayer and labor for its peace and prosperity. For us, this means joy in the church (Heb. 12:22) as the assembly of God’s people and, therefore, prayer and labor for her blessing.

Listen to this Psalm

I Was Filled with Joy and Gladness (Psalm 122A)
The Book of Psalms for Worship | Ascent
Now to the Lord's House Let Us Go! (Psalm 122B)
The Book of Psalms for Worship | Communion
Now to the Lord's House Let Us Go (Psalm 122B)
The Book of Psalms for Worship | Ascent
I Was Glad to Hear Them Saying (Psalm 122B)
The Book of Psalms for Singing | Power of Praise