Psalm 122:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord!"

NIV: A song of ascents. Of David. I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord."

NASB: I was glad when they said to me, 'Let’s go to the house of the Lord.'

CSB: A song of ascents. Of David. I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord."

NLT: I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord.'

KJV: A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.

NKJV: {A Song of Ascents. Of David.} I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord.”

This psalm is credited to David, though some scholars question if he wrote it personally. Some psalms labeled "of David" might refer to his style, rather than his literal authorship. However, nothing proves David did not write this song. This psalmist is elated to be heading into Jerusalem to worship God. The "house of the Lord" typically refers to the tabernacle (Exodus 25:8–9) or temple (1 Kings 6:1) which was the center of old covenant worship. God had specified the observance of three annual feasts (Exodus 23:14–17; Deuteronomy 12:5–7). Israelite men were expected to attend these so long as they were close enough to make the journey (Deuteronomy 16:16).

Today, there is no central place for worshiping the Lord. The temple itself was destroyed in AD 70 (Matthew 24:1–2); and, under the new covenant, physical altars are no longer needed (Hebrews 9:24). The Church—all believers worldwide—is the Lord's temple. In his first letter to the Corinthians Paul writes to remind believers that each person's body is effectively a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19).

Psalm 122:1–2 rejoices because the psalmist—named as David—was called to worship God in Jerusalem. He is glad to be standing within the city. The expression "house of the Lord" frequently refers to the tabernacle (Exodus 25:8–9) and later to the temple (1 Kings 6:1) where sacrifices were offered.

The psalmist, likely David himself, is happy to be called to the temple, also called the "house of the Lord" (1 Kings 6:1). This is located in Jerusalem, the city of David (2 Samuel 5:7; 1 Kings 8:1). The city became the center of Israel's political and religious life. For those reasons, the psalmist prays that the city will be protected; he calls others to join in this prayer.

Psalms 120—134 seem to have been used when Israelites traveled to Mount Zion for required festivals (Deuteronomy 16:16). David had captured a mountain fortress (2 Samuel 5:7), Zion, which became his capitol city and the site of Jerusalem. This was later called the "city of David" (1 Kings 8:1). Since going to Jerusalem literally meant climbing to a higher elevation, this block of psalms are called songs "of ascents." Psalm 122 honors Jerusalem and prays for its peace and safety.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 11/22/2024 4:38:39 PM