Let’s Go to the House of Yahweh – Psalm 122

Did David write this psalm?  Remember that the temple was not built by David but by his son Solomon.  However, it was still normal to speak of the place where the tabernacle was as the house of Yahweh.  It isn’t unheard of for David to speak in third person here when he speaks of the “thrones of the house of David,” but more likely someone else is thus speaking.  So maybe this Psalm is more about David than by David.

A Song of Ascents. Of David.   

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD!”  Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem!

Jerusalem—built as a city that is bound firmly together, to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD.  There thrones for judgment were set, the thrones of the house of David.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!  “May they be secure who love you!  Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!”  For my brothers and companions’ sake I will say, “Peace be within you!”  For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good.  (Psalm 122 ESV)

The anticipation of standing in Jerusalem’s gates that began when his companions invited him to go with them has been fulfilled.  They are standing in the place Moses predicted God would choose for them (Deuteronomy 12:5).  The king’s throne is set to give just judgment for his people.  And the house of Yahweh, the temple, is there, at which they give thanks and ask God to continue to give peace and security to their nation, and especially to Jerusalem, so that they may continue to worship Him there.  The ESV Study Bible note says, “Christians who sing this recognize that in their gathered worship they are carrying out the task of the temple, and their Davidic king (Jesus) is present with them (1 Pet. 2:4–5; cf. Eph. 2:19–22).”  And Paul instructs us to pray for those in authority that we may lead peaceful lives of worship and witness (1 Timothy 2:1-5).