Psa 122 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Ps 122:1-9: Ps 122 Jerusalem is here idealized as the city of God, the city of David, and the city of faith. A group of people on a pilgrimage joyfully arrive in the city (122:1-2 ). The psalmist sings an ode to Jerusalem (122:3-5 ) and prays for the city’s peace (122:6-9 ). 122:1 The central sanctuary was the house of the Lord . This phrase originally referred to the Tabernacle (Exod 23:19 ; 34:26 ).

Summary for Ps 122:1-9: Ps 122 ^a Jerusalem is here idealized as the city of God, the city of David, and the city of faith. A group of people on a pilgrimage joyfully arrive in the city (122:1-2 ^b). The psalmist sings an ode to Jerusalem (122:3-5 ^c) and prays for the city’s peace (122:6-9 ^d). 122:1 ^e The central sanctuary was the house of the Lord. This phrase originally referred to the Tabernacle (Exod 23:19 ^f; 34:26 ^g).
122:2 ^h Several psalms celebrate or look forward to being inside the gates of the city (9:14 ⁱ; 87:2 ^j; 100:4 ^k; 118:19 ^l).
Summary for Ps 122:3-5: 122:3-5 ^m Jerusalem is a metaphor for God’s heavenly dwelling. David was the archetype for God’s chosen rulers. 122:3 ⁿ In the time of David and Solomon, Jerusalem was renowned as a place of security (1 Kgs 10:6-7 ^o).
122:4 ^p Each of the people of Israel belonged to one of the tribes, and all of the tribes belonged to the Lord.

• To give thanks is to present an offering acceptable to the Lord (50:14 ^q, 23 ^r; 100:4 ^s; 118:19 ^t).

• as the law requires of Israel: See Exod 23:17 ^u; Deut 16:16 ^v.
122:5 ^w the thrones where judgment is given: In the eras of David and Solomon (1 Kgs 3:28 ^x), Jerusalem was the home of wisdom and justice; it would be so again (Isa 9:7 ^y).
Summary for Ps 122:6-9: 122:6-9 ^z Prayers for the peace of Jerusalem are motivated by love of family and God’s sanctuary.