King James Version
Psalms 122
9 verses with commentary
Let Us Go to the House of the Lord
A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
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KJV Study Commentary
David's joy at the prospect of worship is palpable: 'I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.' The Hebrew 'samachti' (I was glad) conveys deep, exuberant joy - not mere obligation or routine but enthusiastic delight. The plural 'they said' indicates corporate worship; faith thrives in community, not isolation. The phrase 'house of the LORD' refers to the tabernacle ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(1) **Let us go.**—Or, *we will go. *This verse is inscribed over the portico of St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
3. The union of mercy and truth (Psa 57:3; 85:10) secure the blessings of the promise (Ge 12:3; 18:18) to all the world (Is 52:10).
Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.
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The arrival is celebrated: 'Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.' The physical arrival ('our feet...stand') symbolizes stability, security, and accomplishment of journey. Gates represented points of entry, gathering, judgment, and defense in ancient cities. Standing 'within' suggests not just arrival but belonging - being inside the covenant community. 'Jerusalem' means 'foundation ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **Our feet shall stand.**—Rather, *Our feet have been, and are now, standing. *“Here we stand at last at thy gates, O Jerusalem.” “We must imagine the pilgrims arresting their steps to gaze about them as they reach the gates.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4-6. make a loud noise--**or, "burst forth" (Is 14:7; 44:23).
**before ... King--**hail Him as your sovereign; and while, with every aid to demonstrate zeal and joy, intelligent creatures are invited to praise, as in Psa 96:11-13, inanimate nature is also summoned to honor Him who triumphs and rules in righteousness and equity.
Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:
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KJV Study Commentary
Jerusalem's unique character is highlighted: 'Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together.' The Hebrew 'chabar' (compact together) means joined, united, bound together - emphasizing architectural and social cohesion. Unlike scattered villages, Jerusalem's tight construction created unity, mutual protection, and concentrated worship. This compactness symbolizes the unity of God's people...
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(3) This verse is somewhat perplexing. It is explained to refer either *to *the rebuilding of the city and reuniting of the parts which had been disconnected in the destruction, or, which is far better (see Introduction), is taken as a rustic’s impression on first seeing a compact city after being accustomed to straggling villages. The astonishment of Virgil’s shepherd is aptly compared: “Urbem qu...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4-6. make a loud noise--**or, "burst forth" (Is 14:7; 44:23).
**before ... King--**hail Him as your sovereign; and while, with every aid to demonstrate zeal and joy, intelligent creatures are invited to praise, as in Psa 96:11-13, inanimate nature is also summoned to honor Him who triumphs and rules in righteousness and equity.
Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.
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KJV Study Commentary
The purpose of Jerusalem's gathering is stated: 'Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.' The phrase 'tribes go up' refers to the three annual pilgrimage feasts (Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles) when all Israel assembled in Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 16:16). These tribes are designated 'tribes of the LORD' - their ident...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **Unto the testimony.**—This is erroneous. The words are parenthetical: “Thither go (or, must and shall go) the tribes, the tribes of Judah (it is an ordinance for Israel) to praise the name of Jehovah.” (See Exodus 23:17, Deuteronomy 16:16, to this regulation.)
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4-6. make a loud noise--**or, "burst forth" (Is 14:7; 44:23).
**before ... King--**hail Him as your sovereign; and while, with every aid to demonstrate zeal and joy, intelligent creatures are invited to praise, as in Psa 96:11-13, inanimate nature is also summoned to honor Him who triumphs and rules in righteousness and equity.
For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David. are: Heb. do sit
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KJV Study Commentary
Jerusalem's judicial role is described: 'For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.' The word 'thrones' (plural) suggests multiple seats of authority, though united under David's house. Jerusalem served as Israel's legal center where disputes were resolved and justice administered (Deuteronomy 17:8-13). The phrase 'house of David' points to the Davidic covenant (2 Sa...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **Thrones.**—Jerusalem, at first a cause of wonder as a city, is now to the pilgrims a cause of admiration as the *capital. *The mention of the “House of David” itself disposes of the title, but does not prove that the monarchy was still in existence, since even the Sanhedrim might be said to administer justice from the throne of the house or successors of David. The administration of justice ...
Read full commentary →Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
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An exhortation to prayer follows: 'Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.' The command 'pray for' makes intercession for Jerusalem a duty of all God's people. The Hebrew 'shalom Yerushalayim' creates wordplay - 'peace of Jerusalem' echoes the city's name meaning 'foundation of peace.' True peace requires divine intervention, thus prayer is essential. The promise 'they ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6, 7) It is impossible in English to reproduce the effect of the original in these references to the usual greetings of the East, since at the same time they contain alliterations and a play on the name of Jerusalem. There is first the challenge to the body of pilgrims to give the customary salutation, and then it is taken up in a threefold wish, varied each time. Then follows the reason of this ...
Read full commentary →Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.
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KJV Study Commentary
The prayer for peace continues: 'Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.' The parallelism pairs 'peace' with 'prosperity' and 'walls' with 'palaces' - external defense (walls) and internal structures (palaces) both require divine blessing. Walls provided physical security from enemies, while palaces represented governmental stability and leadership. Peace within walls means s...
Read full commentary →For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.
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Personal motivation for prayer is revealed: 'For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.' The psalmist prays not from self-interest but for the sake of 'brethren and companions' - fellow believers and covenant community members. The phrase 'for...sakes' indicates vicarious concern; the psalmist's welfare is bound to the community's welfare. This reflects proper cov...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **Peace be within thee.**—Here the formal greeting actually appears, that which greets every traveller in the East (John 20:19). (Comp. Luke 10:5.) The full form appears in 1Samuel 25:6.
Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.
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KJV Study Commentary
The psalm concludes with ultimate motivation: 'Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.' The phrase 'because of' establishes causation - the house of God provides the fundamental reason for seeking Jerusalem's good. God's presence in the temple makes Jerusalem worthy of devotion. The possessive 'our God' emphasizes covenant relationship; the God who dwells there belongs to Hi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **Because . . .**—Now for the first time the religious motive of the pilgrimage appears, rendered all the more emphatic by being kept for the concluding verse.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
PSALM 99 Psa 99:1-9. God's government is especially exercised in and for His Church, which should praise Him for His gracious dealings.
**1. sitteth ... cherubim--**(compare 1Sa 4:4; Psa 80:1).
**tremble ... be moved--**inspired with fear by His judgments on the wicked.