Psalms Chapter 122 |
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Psalms 122
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Psalms 122
A SONG OF DEGREES
Psalm 122
A SONG OF DEGREES OF DAVID
[Psalms 122:1] I WAS GLAD WHEN THEY SAID UNTO ME, LET US GO INTO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD.
Jerusalem was on land overlapping the territories of Judah and Benjamin. Technically speaking Jerusalem had not really been apportioned to any tribe.
The Law was that all adult male Israelites should go up to Jerusalem three times a year on the festival of Pesach, Succoth, and Shavuoth. In effect not only all the males went up but frequently all members of the family. At these times nearly every house in Jerusalem would open its doors to guests from outside. It was considered a permanent miracle that room would always be found for everyone.
Jerusalem was part of the heritage of all Israel.
WHEN THEY SAID UNTO ME.
S.R. Hirsch comments:
##"They," the individual groups which journeyed up to the House of the Lord in Jerusalem addressed this call to the nation as a whole, as it were. They openly declared that they were going up to the House of the Lord and thus showed that they were true sons of the nation.##[Psalms 122:2] OUR FEET SHALL STAND WITHIN THY GATES, O JERUSALEM.
[Psalms 122:3] JERUSALEM IS BUILDED AS A CITY THAT IS COMPACT TOGETHER:
S.R. Hirsch points out that the very architectural design of Jerusalem was such that all focal points were concentrated on the Temple Mount and Holy Temple.
[Psalms 122:4] WHITHER THE TRIBES GO UP, THE TRIBES OF THE LORD, UNTO THE TESTIMONY OF ISRAEL, TO GIVE THANKS UNTO THE NAME OF THE LORD.
All the Tribes of Israel would go up to Jerusalem. This was a time when the Tribes would come together in unity in the service of the Almighty.
The Tribes of Israel are THE TRIBES OF THE LORD.
[Psalms 122:5] FOR THERE ARE SET THRONES OF JUDGMENT, THE THRONES OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID.
THRONES. In the plural. This strengthens our belief that the House of David had numerous male descendants many of whom held positions of authority THROUGHOUT the Tribes of Israel.
[Psalms 122:6] PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM: THEY SHALL PROSPER THAT LOVE THEE.
PEACE. In Hebrew "Shalom" from the root "ShLM" which also connotes "wholeness" and "well-being". Be concerned with the good of Jerusalem and God will concern HIMSELF with your good.
"Jerusalem" in this context in our time represents the Jewish People especially in regard to their return to the land, settlement within it, including the possession and rehabilitation of Jerusalem itself.
[Psalms 122:7] PEACE BE WITHIN THY WALLS, AND PROSPERITY WITHIN THY PALACES.
Important people and institutions should have suites and big office complexes. "Palaces", within Jerusalem. To some degree some of them already do. This is good for them and good for Jerusalem. [Just ask the mayor says.]
[Psalms 122:8] FOR MY BRETHREN AND COMPANIONS' SAKES, I WILL NOW SAY, PEACE BE WITHIN THEE.
This is returning to the theme that Jerusalem represents the good of all Israel. We all want that things go well for ourselves and also for our families and our companions and kin. When the Israelite Tribes would come together then the feeling of fraternity and mutual involvement would be heightened. People would feel concerned for the good of each other.
The good of Jerusalem is the good of all Israel.
By seeking the good of Jerusalem and the Jewish presence in the Land we in effect work for the good and ultimate reunification of all the Tribes.
When the Ten Tribes separated themselves from Judah their leader Jeroboam prevented them from going up to Jerusalem.
Jeroboam knew that going up to Jerusalem would in the end lead to re-unification and he did not want that.
[1-Kings 12:26] AND JEROBOAM SAID IN HIS HEART, NOW SHALL THE KINGDOM RETURN TO THE HOUSE OF DAVID:We see from the case of Jeroboam that DENIAL of Jerusalem leads to idolatry and disunity.
[1-Kings 12:27] IF THIS PEOPLE GO UP TO DO SACRIFICE IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD AT JERUSALEM, THEN SHALL THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE TURN AGAIN UNTO THEIR LORD, EVEN UNTO REHOBOAM KING OF JUDAH, AND THEY SHALL KILL ME, AND GO AGAIN TO REHOBOAM KING OF JUDAH.
[1-Kings 12:28] WHEREUPON THE KING TOOK COUNSEL, AND MADE TWO CALVES OF GOLD, AND SAID UNTO THEM, IT IS TOO MUCH FOR YOU TO GO UP TO JERUSALEM: BEHOLD THY GODS, O ISRAEL, WHICH BROUGHT THEE UP OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT.
On the other hand seeking the good of Jerusalem will bring us back to God and will lead to the Tribes of Israel re-uniting.
[Psalms 122:9] BECAUSE OF THE HOUSE OF THE LORD OUR GOD I WILL SEEK THY GOOD.
This verse encompasses an important point.
We may not know what we should do.
We may not be sure how we should worship God or keep the commandments or other matters.
By searching for the good of Jerusalem however the way will be shown unto us.
Hold fast with the State of Israel and God will reward you and help you.
Psalms Chapter 122 |
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