Psalm 122

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 122:8

For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. The inhabitants of Jerusalem are the writer's "brethren and companions ." He is not a mere pilgrim on a visit to the holy city. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 122:8

The religious value of the patriotic spirit. "For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will wish thee prosperity." This may be the expression of a pilgrim on leaving Jerusalem to return to his home. The love of the psalmist for his country was patriotism . Perowne says, "The last four verses of the psalm breathe a spirit of the noblest, most unselfish, patriotism. Not for his own sake, but for the sake of his brethren—the people at large—and for the sake of his God, his temple, and his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 122:9

Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good. The tabernacle set up by David in Jerusalem is called "the house of the Lord" in Psalms 5:7 ; Psalms 27:4 ; Psalms 52:8 ; and Psalms 55:14 . God "dwelt there," as he dwelt in the tabernacle of Moses in the wilderness ( Exodus 40:34 , Exodus 40:35 ) and in the temple of Solomon subsequently ( 2 Chronicles 5:13 , 2 Chronicles 5:14 ). The good of Jerusalem was to be sought for two reasons: read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 122:9

Piety blessing national life. "Yea, because of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek to do thee good" (Prayer-book Version). Piety is seen in the tender, almost pathetic, interest the man has in the temple, where the worship of God is conducted; the temple which is so rich with hallowed associations. That interest fills the psalmist with admiration for the city, and concern for the well-being of those who dwell in it, and the nation of which they all form parts. There is a possible... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 122

This psalm is expressly ascribed to David, though it is not known why it should be classed among the “Songs of Degrees.” On the supposition that these were used by the pilgrims in “going up” to Jerusalem to worship, and that they were sung by the way, this psalm would be particularly appropriate, and is one of the very few, in the entire collection of fifteen, that would be appropriate. This psalm evidently was used on some such occasion, and is beautifully suited to such a design. There is no... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 122:1

I was glad - It was a subject; of joy to me. The return of the happy season when we were to go up to worship filled me with joy. The language is expressive of the, happiness which is felt by those who love God and his sanctuary, when the stated season of worship returns. The heart is drawn to the house of prayer; the soul is filled with peace at the prospect of being again permitted to worship God. Who the speaker here is, is not known. It may have been David himself; more probably, however, it... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 122:2

Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem - We shall enter the sacred city. It appears now in full view before us - its walls, its palaces, its sacred places. We shall not stand and gaze upon it at a distance; we shall not merely be charmed with its beauty as we approach it; we shall accomplish the object of our desire, and enter within its walls and gates. So the believer approaches heaven - the New Jerusalem above. he will not merely admire its exterior, and look upon it at a... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 122:3

Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together - literally, “joined to itself together;” that is, when one part is, as it were, bound closely to another part; not scattered or separate. The walls are all joined together; and the houses are all united to one another so as to make a compact place. The ground occupied by Jerusalem never could be large, as it was surrounded with valleys, except on the north, and hemmed in with hills, so that, from the necessity of the case, when it became... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 122:4

Whither the tribes - The twelve tribes of the children of Israel.Go up - To the great feasts and festivals of the nation. See Exodus 23:17. This language of going up is such as would be used anywhere respecting the capital of a nation - as it is now of London; but it was literally true of Jerusalem, since it was elevated far above most parts of the land.The tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel - The “ark of testimony;” the ark within which were the tables of stone, containing the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 122:5

For there are set - Margin, Do sit. The Hebrew is, “For there sit thrones for judgment.” They are established there; or, That is the appointed place for administering justice.Thrones of judgment - Seats for dispensing justice. The word throne is now commonly appropriated to the seat or chair of a king, but this is not necessarily the meaning here. The word may denote a seat or bench occupied by a judge. The meaning here is, that Jerusalem was the supreme seat of justice; the place where justice... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 122:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 122:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 122:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 122:9

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 122

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 122:1

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 122:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 122:3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 122:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 122:5

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