Click here to read PSALM 122 in poetic form.
Background
Psalm 122 is in the Deuteronomy Book of the Psalms (Psalms 107-150). These 44 Psalms, like the Book of Deuteronomy in the Old Testament, show God’s Word as the source of salvation, deliverance, and healing. This would be fully carried out in the life of the coming Messiah, the living Word, Jesus Christ. Whereas Psalm 119 showed that God would raise the Messiah from the dead to eternal life, Psalm 122 is the third of 15 “songs of the degrees” (Psalms 120-134) regarding God keeping Hezekiah alive (see the notes on Psalm 120 for more details).
Psalm 122, written by David, shows God’s prosperity and peace when the Messiah is on his throne.
Structure
(God’s blessing and peace through the Messiah)
(Verse 1) The house of the Lord, let us go into
(Verse 2) Within your gates O Jerusalem, our feet shall stand
(Verse 3) Jerusalem, a city joined together
(Verse 4) The tribes, the tribes of the Lord, go there
(Verse 5) The great throne, the throne of the house of David (Messiah), is set there
(Verse 6) Jerusalem, pray for its peace
(Verses 7,8) Within your walls (O Jerusalem), be peace and prosperity
(Verse 9) For the house of the Lord, I will seek your good
Key Scriptures
Verse 3—“Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together.” The Hebrew word translated “compact” means to join or couple together and to fellowship together. Jerusalem was God’s chosen place where the Messiah would ultimately give his life as a sacrifice for all mankind. There, Jesus Christ acted as the mediator between God and men (I Timothy 2:5) and made available fellowship with God as a Father (I John 1:3).
Verse 5—“For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.” God is ruler over all for all time. He promised that David’s heir, the Messiah, would sit upon David’s throne forever. The Prophet Nathan spoke this vision to David (II Samuel 7:16; I Chronicles 17:12); Solomon declared this promise (I Kings 2:45); and the Prophet Isaiah reminded God’s people of it (Isaiah 9:7).
FOR FURTHER STUDY
All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader. Also available for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Enjoy!
You can also hear the author read them aloud on YouTube.
The entire blog series is now available in the publication The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.
One reply on “Psalms in Poetic Form: PSALM 122”
Precious and timely- we can pray for peace. vs 6 We pray for peace true “shalom,” as Jeru-salem declares; tranquil and secure.
God’s people In Jerusalem and here and over the world who are being attacked (especially what’s going on there today), Makes me think of what David went through in his life. And especially God’s love for people. Eyes have seen and ears have heard- He had recorded in His Word!