This psalm of David, speaks about the annual festive journey made to Jerusalem by God’s people.
Although the headings aren’t inspired by God, they are important because they give us some understanding of the Psalm and they help us to see why it was written. The headings usually tell us four things.
1. Who wrote them, probably wrote them, or possibly wrote them.
2. Information about the historical background to the Psalm. Why it was written.
3. They tell us of the tune the Psalm was written to.
4. How it was used.
The heading tells us this is a song of ascents written by David. Psalms 120-134, all have the same heading.
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Several theories of why this group of psalms is so named are available. The Jewish explanation is that there were fifteen steps from the Court of the Women to the Court of the Men in the Temple, and that each of these psalms was sung in succession on those steps. Another view is that these songs were sung in successive phases of the Jews’ return from captivity. Apparently the true explanation is that these psalms were written for the pilgrims journeying to Jerusalem for the great annual feasts, Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. ‘It seems most probable that these songs form a collection for the use of pilgrims who came up to Jerusalem at the great feasts.’
David begins by telling us that he rejoiced with others when he was invited to go to the house of the LORD, Psalm 122:1. The house of the LORD could be speaking about the tabernacle, but if it refers to the temple, David was anticipating the excitement when his son, Solomon finally built it after David’s death, 1 Chronicles 22:2-16 / Isaiah 2:3.
This really was a time of excitement as the people longed to go to the temple in Jerusalem to meet with like-minded people who had come together from throughout the Promised Land, Exodus 23:17. We can almost imagine the excitement, in David’s voice when he was invited and we can almost imagine the excitement as everyone gathered together to make this annual trip to Jerusalem.
We can imagine them making this journey together with friends and family, people who love God, and we can imagine the fellowship along the way and the songs they sang.
The people would have had their offerings with them and they would be excited about making those sacrifices to the LORD. Imagine as they get closer and closer to Jerusalem, imagine the excitement after making the journey to Jerusalem and their feet finally stand in the city gates, Psalm 122:2.
After reaching the city gates, we can imagine how proud they were of their city, the city of David, Jerusalem, Psalm 122:3. It was closely compacted together, Psalm 122:3, that is, it was built in an orderly way, 2 Samuel 5:11-12. It was a city that was united together as the centre of reference for the nation of Israel.
It was the gathering place for all tribes of Israel, Psalm 122:4, for the Passover feast, the feast of Tabernacles and Unleavened Bread. When David captured and conquered Jerusalem, 2 Samuel 5:6-10, it became the capital city of both the political and religious life of Israel.
It came to symbolise the reunification of the twelve tribes that had throughout the year been scattered to their farms. The whole purpose of Israel’s trip to Jerusalem was to praise the Name of the LORD, that is, to give Him thanks, this was done according to the statute given to Israel.
The statute of Israel, Psalm 122:4, is the ark of the covenant, Exodus 25:22 / Exodus 27:21 / Numbers 1:53. The ark represented the presence of God among His people, Exodus 16:34 / Exodus 25:16 / Exodus 25:21 / Exodus 40:3 / Exodus 40:20 / Exodus 30:6 / Exodus 30:36 / Exodus 31:18.
David made Jerusalem the centre of politics and religion in Israel, that is, the thrones of the house of David, Psalm 122:5 / 2 Samuel 15:4, and why he mentions the thrones for judgment, Psalm 122:5. This made Jerusalem a city of justice, a city where good would be honoured and evil would be corrected. As it was located at the city gates, everyone would see the throne of judgment and see justice being served, Ruth 4:1-12 / Matthew 19:28.
David encourages everyone to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, Psalm 122:6. The name Jerusalem means peace, Hebrews 7:2. He prays for peace and security within the walls of Jerusalem and he asks that the city also be secure, Psalm 122:6. In other words, he wants not only peace for the city but also prosperity for the city, Job 3:26 / Job 12:6 / Romans 5:1.
David probably asked them to pray for peace because Jerusalem was continually involved in wars and conflicts over the years. Israel took great pride in Jerusalem and the temple and the city brought a sense of security and peace to everyone, Psalm 122:6.
Then David prayed that peace prevails within the walls of the city, Psalm 122:7, so that the city could prosper, 1 Kings 16:18 / 2 Kings 15:25 / Isaiah 25:2. David wanted God to bless all his family and friends, and as he requested peace for Jerusalem, he requests that peace be within his family and friends, Psalm 122:8.
When there was peace, the people lived in prosperity and for the sake of the tabernacle or later the temple, the house of God, Psalm 122:9,
We can almost sense the excitement in David’s words, as he was invited to go to the house of the LORD. We can almost sense the excitement as they begin that journey together and finally steep foot inside the city gates. I wonder if we as Christians ever get that excited about coming to meet together to worship God each week?
Remember the ‘church’, is the people, not a building, and we are so blessed to be a part of the house of God, with Jesus as our head, Ephesians 1:21-22 / Colossians 1:24, and Jesus is the Son of the house, Hebrews 3:5-6 / Hebrews 10:21 / 1 Peter 2:5 / 1 Peter 4:17.
The Israelites were excited because they were going to be in the presence of God, however as Christians, we have God, His Son and the Holy Spirit within us, John 14:23 / 1 Corinthians 3:16, we’re constantly in His presence and He is constantly in our presence. That’s exciting and that’s worth singing songs of praise and thanking Him for His presence in our lives.