Psalm 122:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.

NIV: For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity.

NASB: For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.

CSB: Because of the house of the Lord our God, I will pursue your prosperity.

NLT: For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek what is best for you, O Jerusalem.

KJV: Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.

NKJV: Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek your good.

As the psalm prays for peace over Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6–8), it now turns to concern for the temple. In David's day, the tabernacle (Exodus 25—28) was "the house of the LORD" (1 Samuel 1:24; Psalm 24:7; 55:1). Later, the temple was known as "the house of the Lord (1 Kings 6:1; 2 Chronicles 5:13–14). This was situated in Jerusalem. Unfortunately, Israel's persistent rejection of God's authority led to conquest and exile (2 Chronicles 36:17–20) and even to the demolition of the temple itself (Matthew 24:1–2).

Today, the Church—the collection of all believers of the world—is the house of the Lord. Hebrews 10:21 mentions that Christians have a great high priest over the house of God, and 1 Peter 4:17 says, "it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?" Just as the psalmist vowed to seek the good of Jerusalem, so Christians should seek the good of the Church. It is for the good of the Church that believers attend regularly (Hebrews 10:25), give liberally (2 Corinthians 9:7), and pray earnestly (Matthew 9:38).

Psalm 122:6–9 calls for prayers that Jerusalem will be kept secure and peaceful. Also, that its residents and all who love God will be safe. The psalmist, probably David, vows to seek Jerusalem's good for the sake of the Lord's house (1 Kings 6:1).

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.