Psalm 122:3-5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 122:1-5

Here we have, I. The pleasure which David and other pious Israelites took in approaching to and attending upon God in public ordinances, Ps. 122:1, 2. 1. The invitation to them was very welcome. David was himself glad, and would have every Israelite to say that he was glad, when he was called upon to go up to the house of the Lord. Note, (1.) It is the will of God that we should worship him in concert, that many should join together to wait upon him in public ordinances. We ought to worship... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 122:3

Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together. In David's time the upper and lower city were joined together, the streets regularly built, the houses contiguous, not straggling about, here and there one F3 Hecataeus, an Heathen writer, describes Jerusalem as a strong fortified city, fifty furlongs in circumference; and inhabited by twelve myriads, or a hundred and twenty thousand men. Vid. Euseb. Praepar. Evangel. l. 9. c. 4. . So the church of God, like that, is built in a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 122:4

Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord ,.... The twelve tribes of Israel; the males of them went up three times a year to Jerusalem to worship, at the feasts of passover, pentecost, and tabernacles; and was typical of the church of Christ, where the worship of God is carried on, his word preached, and ordinances administered; and whither saints go and attend for their own profit and the glory of God; this is the city of our solemnities, Isaiah 33:20 ; unto the testimony of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 122:5

For there are set thrones of judgment ,.... In Jerusalem as the Targum; here were courts of judicature, and thrones for the judges to sit upon, to execute judgment and justice to the people; the thrones of the house of David ; the Targum is, "thrones in the house of the sanctuary, for the kings of the house of David;' who might sit there, as the Jews say, when others might not. In the church of Christ, the heavenly Jerusalem, every saint is a king, as well as a priest, and all have... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 122:3

Jerusalem - compact together - It is now well rebuilt, every part contributing to the strength of the whole. It is also a state of great political and spiritual union. It is the center of union to all the tribes, for each tribe has an equal interest in that God who is worshipped there. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 122:4

The testimony of Israel - There is the ark, where the presence of God is manifested; there is the holy of holies; and there all the tribes assembled to worship Jehovah. He no doubt alludes to the assembling of the tribes annually at each of the three grand national festivals. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 122:5

There are set thrones of judgment - There were the public courts, and thither the people went to obtain justice; and while the thrones of the house of David were there, they had justice. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 122:3

Verse 3 3.Jerusalem is built as a city. Here David begins to celebrate the praises of Jerusalem; and he does this with the design of encouraging the people to persevere with uniform steadfastness in their obedience. It was of great importance for the minds of the godly, instead of being drawn hither and thither, to be kept constantly fixed on that city, which was the bond of a holy unity. When the people came to be divided into two bodies, that was the commencement of melancholy devastation. It... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 122:4

Verse 4 4.Thither the tribes ascended. David here invests Jerusalem with two titles of honor, calling it the sacred and regularly appointed place for calling upon the name of God; and next, the royal sea, to which the whole people were to have recourse for obtaining justice. All our salvation depends upon these two points; first, that Christ has been given to us to be our priest; and, secondly, that he has been established king to govern us. This God showed to his ancient people under figures.... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 122:5

Verse 5 5.For there were set thrones for judgment. He means, that the throne of the kingdom was fixed or established at Jerusalem, or that there it had its permanent seat. Among that people some order of judgments had always existed; these, however, had formerly been in an unsettled state, and frequently changed, but God at length ordained, in the person of David, a new government which should flow in a continual course; for it was his will that the children of David should succeed their father... read more

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