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Matthew Henry

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 122:4

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

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 122:1-9

The house of God and the Church of Jesus Christ. The "house of God" ( Psalms 122:1 and Psalms 122:9 ) may stand for the Christian sanctuary, and the "Jerusalem," of which this psalm is full, may stand for the Church of Jesus Christ. Thus regarded, we have— I. THE HOUSE OF GOD . 1. The Divine Presence . God's house is the place where he dwells; where, in the fullest sense, he is . And though the Omnipresent cannot be said to be in one place more truly than in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 122:1-9

Jerusalem a type of the Church. That which is said or implied here of Jerusalem is appropriate in a symbolic sense to the New Jerusalem, the Church of the living God. I. FOR THE CHURCH IS AS A CITY . 1. Built . The result of thought and toil and care. 2. As Jerusalem , a captured city . It was once the home of all heathen abomination, but by David it was won for God. So the Church is a captured city, a trophy of God's omnipotent grace. 3. Has walls... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 122:1-9

Worship. "I was glad when they said unto me," etc. This beautiful ode is supposed to have been by one dwelling in the country, who had been invited to join, and had joined, a company of pilgrims on their way to one of the feasts at Jerusalem; on his return, this ode embodied the sentiments that had been inspired. I. THE JOY OF WORSHIP . The delight of anticipation. ( Psalms 122:1 .) The brooding gladness which dwells on some anticipated great occasion. His imagination would... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 122:4

Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord . This points to a time before the dispersion of "the tribes," which rendered such regular "going up" impossible. Unto the testimony of Israel ; rather, as a testimony unto Israel— a witness to the whole nation that all Israelites had covenant privileges at Jerusalem. To give thanks unto the Name of the Lord. The three great feasts whereto Israel was bound to "go up" were all of them seasons of thanksgiving. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 122:4

The mission of the great feasts. "The pre-Mosaic festivals were pure nature-festivals. In the changes of the seasons, and of the phenomena of heaven, nature always displays a gracious adaptation to the needs of man, giving him special opportunities and intervals when he may rest for a considerable while from his ordinary toil, and devote himself unreservedly to higher thoughts." The work of Moses in developing, and adapting to a purpose, these nature-festivals needs to be carefully... read more

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