For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each passage has a four-Part approach to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage:  Psa 122

1 I rejoiced with those who said to me,
    ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’
2 Our feet are standing
    in your gates, Jerusalem.

3 Jerusalem is built like a city
    that is closely compacted together.
4 That is where the tribes go up –
    the tribes of the Lord –
to praise the name of the Lord
    according to the statute given to Israel.
5 There stand the thrones for judgment,
    the thrones of the house of David.

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
    ‘May those who love you be secure.
7 May there be peace within your walls
    and security within your citadels.’
8 For the sake of my family and friends,
    I will say, ‘Peace be within you.’
9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
    I will seek your prosperity.

A. Find Out

1. Where was the psalmist standing and why? v.1,2
2. What is Jerusalem like and why do they go there? v.3,4
3. What is there? v.5
4. What does he say to pray for? v.6,7
5. For whose sake will he pray this? v.8,9a
6. What will he seek? v.9b

B. Think:

1. To where have these pilgrims come?
2. What do they observe about Jerusalem?
3. What do they pray for Jerusalem?

C. Comment:

                Remember we said these ‘songs of ascents’ were possibly used by pilgrims coming to worship the Lord in the Temple in Jerusalem. In this third psalm of ascents they, he remembers the call to go to Jerusalem (v.1) and now they have arrived at the gates of the city (v.2)

                As they go to enter the city, he observes the compact nature of this city (v.3) – the words of a genuine observer. He thinks about all the other tribes of Israel who also make their way here (v.4) to come and praise the Lord according to the Law of Moses. As he enters the city gates, he notes that this is the place where thrones are set (v.5) where the rulers come to make judgements. In all this he is like a tourist commenting on the things he sees.

                But then he ceases to be a mere tourist and becomes one of the people of God who is aware of the destiny of this city and for the rest of the psalm speaks of praying for the city. Pray for its peace (v.6), peace for all who love it, peace in all areas within it (v.7).

                Then he turns to his motivation to pray: he will pray for this peace for the sake of his fellow Jews, friends and family (v.8) because (implied) it is the place where they fulfil their destiny and meet God. So he will also pray for peace for the House of God, the Temple, that they may continue to meet Him there (v.9)

D. Application:

1. Jerusalem is God’s chosen place at that time to meet with His people.
2. Today I am a temple of the Holy Spirit.