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I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord” (v. 1, NLT).
Jerusalem is 2,474 feet above the Mediterranean Sea, which is to the west of Jerusalem, and 2,818 feet above the Dead Sea, which is to the east. And yes, the Dead Sea is below sea level.
If you were a Jew traveling to Jerusalem for feasts or worship in the temple, you went upwards. And Psalm 122 is one of the Psalms of Ascents, sung as pilgrims walked uphill toward the temple mount.
Can you imagine living in Biblical times and traveling to Jerusalem for the first time? Just before major festivals, thousands would be climbing together while singing this Psalm.
All the tribes of Israel—the Lord’s people—make their pilgrimage here. They come to give thanks to the name of the Lord (v. 4).
After traveling for days through the wilderness, in danger from thieves, perhaps bad weather, and finally arriving as the psalmist sings…
And now here we are, standing inside your gates, O Jerusalem (v. 2).
Amen!
Today, we need not travel to Jerusalem as we can go to a church building, and even better, as the new covenant teaches, we are the temple of God.
Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16).
We so easily dismiss worshipping together today. Perhaps a few literal journeys up to Jerusalem would change our outlook. As the Book of Hebrews says…
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near (10:25).
After describing the travel and arrival of pilgrims to Jerusalem, Psalm 122 becomes prophetic with one of the most fascinating prophecies in the entire Bible.
Pray for peace in Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper. O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls and prosperity in your palaces (vv. 6-7).
Those who pray for the peace of Jerusalem will prosper!!! Let’s repeat, those who pray for the peace of Jerusalem will prosper. I believe this is a reason America prospers today, and shudder to think what will happen if we turn our backs on Jerusalem.
Seeking the peace of Jerusalem, where the God of eternity will establish His throne forever, basically means, “God, I worship You and Your purposes.”
Understanding both the current and eternal blessings of going up to Jerusalem to worship, whether in church, personally on an actual trip to Jerusalem, or just acknowledging the Lordship of Jesus, let’s remember…
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek what is best for you, O Jerusalem (v. 9).
Amen. Peace out!