Psa 122:3 | KingComments | STEP | Full of admiration they look at the city and notice that it is “compact together” ( ). It is with it as with the curtains of tent that lie over the tabernacle, which are also so fastened together that they form one whole. In Hebrew the same word “compact together” is used there ( ). It expresses the unity and close fellowship of the people of God under their King and God. In faith the faithful see the totality of the people who are now so divided and scattered. The people of God are formed by “the tribes”, that is, the twelve tribes, which are emphatically called “the tribes of the LORD” ( ). This means that Judah, the two tribes, and Israel, the ten tribes, are joined together ( ). Normally we speak of the tribes of Israel . So it is striking that here they are called the tribes of the LORD . This emphasizes that they are His property. Not only are they rightfully His because He formed them, they are also His because, as the Son Who became Man, He bought and redeemed them with His precious blood. They belong to Him because He has chosen and acquired them for Himself to be together His people. This they will become aware of in the end time, when they come face to face with their Messiah. “Every eye will see Him”, – that is, the whole world, whereas now only we see Him ( ) – “even those who pierced Him” – i.e. the two tribes (cf. ) – “and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him” – i.e. all the twelve tribes of Israel ( ) – “So it is to be. Amen” ( ). The city has great appeal for them. The attraction is in what and Who is there. They come there to praise His Name. It is about Him. It is He through Whom they are bound together as tribes and together form His people. They meet Him there. The city is not only the center of worship, but also the center of justice ( ). To this “the thrones … for justice” refer. Justice is directly connected to “the house of David”. This refers to the royal jurisdiction of the house of David. The LORD is then in truth the King of righteousness ( ) in Jerusalem. Just as Solomon as a king was also the highest judge, the Lord Jesus as King will also judge on His throne ( ). There is mention of thrones, plural. This indicates that there are multiple thrones. They are there because there are others who may reign with Christ ( ; ).

‏ Psalms 122:3

The Thanksgiving of the Pilgrim

Full of admiration they look at the city and notice that it is “compact together” (Psa 122:3). It is with it as with the curtains of tent that lie over the tabernacle, which are also so fastened together that they form one whole. In Hebrew the same word “compact together” is used there (Exo 26:6 ; 9 ; 11). It expresses the unity and close fellowship of the people of God under their King and God.

In faith the faithful see the totality of the people who are now so divided and scattered. The people of God are formed by “the tribes”, that is, the twelve tribes, which are emphatically called “the tribes of the LORD” (Psa 122:4). This means that Judah, the two tribes, and Israel, the ten tribes, are joined together (Eze 37:21-22).

Normally we speak of the tribes of Israel. So it is striking that here they are called the tribes of the LORD. This emphasizes that they are His property. Not only are they rightfully His because He formed them, they are also His because, as the Son Who became Man, He bought and redeemed them with His precious blood. They belong to Him because He has chosen and acquired them for Himself to be together His people.

This they will become aware of in the end time, when they come face to face with their Messiah.

“Every eye will see Him”, – that is, the whole world, whereas now only we see Him (Heb 2:9) –

“even those who pierced Him” – i.e. the two tribes (cf. Zec 12:10) – “and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him” – i.e. all the twelve tribes of Israel (Mt 24:30) –

“So it is to be. Amen” (Rev 1:7).

The city has great appeal for them. The attraction is in what and Who is there. They come there to praise His Name. It is about Him. It is He through Whom they are bound together as tribes and together form His people. They meet Him there.

The city is not only the center of worship, but also the center of justice (Psa 122:5). To this “the thrones … for justice” refer. Justice is directly connected to “the house of David”. This refers to the royal jurisdiction of the house of David. The LORD is then in truth the King of righteousness (Heb 7:2) in Jerusalem.

Just as Solomon as a king was also the highest judge, the Lord Jesus as King will also judge on His throne (Mt 25:31). There is mention of thrones, plural. This indicates that there are multiple thrones. They are there because there are others who may reign with Christ (Mt 19:28; Rev 4:4).