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Psalm chapter 122

English Standard Version

1 I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord!" 2Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem! 3Jerusalem — built as a city that is bound firmly together, 4to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord. 5There 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! 7Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!" 8For my brothers and companions ' sake I will say, "Peace be within you!" 9For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.
New International Version

1A song of ascents. Of David. I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord."
2Our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem. 3Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together. 4That 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.
5There stand the thrones for judgment, the thrones of the house of David. 6Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May those who love you be secure. 7May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels." 8For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, "Peace be within you." 9For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity.
New American Standard Bible

1I was glad when they said to me, 'Let’s go to the house of the Lord.' 2Our feet are standing Within your gates, Jerusalem, 3Jerusalem, that has been built As a city that is firmly joined together; 4To which the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord— An ordinance for Israel— To give thanks to the name of the Lord. 5For thrones were set there for judgment, The thrones of the house of David. 6Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: 'May they prosper who love you. 7May peace be within your walls, And prosperity within your palaces.' 8For the sake of my brothers and my friends, I will now say, 'May peace be within you.' 9For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.
Christian Standard Bible

1A song of ascents. Of David. I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord."
2Our feet were standing within your gates, Jerusalem — 3Jerusalem, built as a city should be, solidly united, 4where the tribes, the Lord’s tribes, go up to give thanks to the name of the Lord. (This is an ordinance for Israel. )
5There, thrones for judgment are placed, thrones of the house of David. 6Pray for the well-being of Jerusalem: "May those who love you be secure; 7may there be peace within your walls, security within your fortresses." 8Because of my brothers and friends, I will say, "May peace be in you." 9Because of the house of the Lord our God, I will pursue your prosperity.
New Living Translation

1I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord.' 2And now here we are, standing inside your gates, O Jerusalem. 3Jerusalem is a well-built city; its seamless walls cannot be breached. 4All the tribes of Israel — the Lord’s people — make their pilgrimage here. They come to give thanks to the name of the Lord, as the law requires of Israel. 5Here stand the thrones where judgment is given, the thrones of the dynasty of David.
6Pray for peace in Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper. 7O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls and prosperity in your palaces. 8For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, 'May you have peace.' 9For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek what is best for you, O Jerusalem.
King James Version

1A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.
2Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.
3Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:
4Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord.
5For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.
6Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
7Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.
8For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.
9Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.
New King James Version

1{A Song of Ascents. Of David.} I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord.” 2Our feet have been standing Within your gates, O Jerusalem! 3Jerusalem is built As a city that is compact together, 4 Where the tribes go up, The tribes of the Lord, To the Testimony of Israel, To give thanks to the name of the Lord. 5 For thrones are set there for judgment, The thrones of the house of David. 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you. 7Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces.” 8For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, “Peace be within you.” 9Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek your good.

What does Psalm chapter 122 mean?

Fifteen psalms (Psalms 120—134) are labeled "of ascents," or "of degrees." Traveling to Jerusalem for required feasts (Deuteronomy 16:16), Israelites would need to climb—literally "ascend"—towards Mount Zion (2 Samuel 5:7) where Jerusalem was located (1 Kings 8:1). This song is also marked "of David." Not all psalms with this description were necessarily David's personal work—some are written in his style or with his perspective of faith (Psalm 86:1). This text offers no clear indications either way.

The song begins with joy at the idea of going to the temple for worship. The "house of the Lord" was constructed in Jerusalem (1 Kings 6:1). For those making a pilgrimage, crossing through the gates of the city would have been a joyful milestone (Psalm 122:1–2).

Jerusalem was established as David's capitol when he took the fortress of Zion from the Jebusites (2 Samuel 5:7). The city he founded grew on and around that location (1 Kings 8:1). Once the temple was built, Israelites of all the twelve tribes were to come there to honor the Lord. Rulers of the nation were from the lineage of David (2 Samuel 7:12; 1 Kings 2:11–12), of the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10). The city was the center of both Israel's spiritual and government authority (Psalm 122:3–5).

As someone who loved the city, and what it represented, the psalmist prays for its protection and stability. This extends to those who live within the walls. It also applies to those who likewise love Jerusalem; this suggests all those who have faith in the Lord God. The prayer is sincere, and there were times when Jerusalem experienced peace. Unfortunately, for most of history, the city's leaders have turned away from God and the results (1 Kings 12:16–17; 2 Chronicles 36:17–20; Matthew 24:1–2) have been tragic (Psalm 122:6–9).
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