Psalm 122 – Enjoying peace in the city of peace

Psalm 122 describes a visit by David to the house of the Lord (v. 1), to the tabernacle (the temple of Solomon was not yet built, although when the psalm was used by the returned exiles, it would be the smaller second temple that was there). What mattered was not its size, but the fact that the Lord was present in it in a special manner as the holy One who pardoned sinners through an atonement.

It was an amazing experience for God’s people to be in Jerusalem (v.2). They observed its layout, its buildings and its capability to host the people of Israel when they came at the appointed times to worship the Lord and thank him for the many blessings he had given them. The presence of the royal family was also a reminder of God’s purposes – he had chosen David as king and made a covenant with him (vv. 3-5).

How should worshippers respond to what they saw? Verses 6 and 7 tell us that they were reminded to pray for peace in the city of peace, that the residents would know security from inward and outward attacks. Clearly, there was the possibility of attack by enemies. In David’s time, the city was strong, but prayer was still needed. In the period after the exile, the city was weak, but prayer was still the expression of dependence on God.

Verses 8 and 9 detail the response of David as an individual and also as an example. Since the people of Israel were both his family and his friends on the journey of life, his words would be ones of peace. So, too, would be his actions, as he dedicated himself to promote the worship of God that was led by those who worked in his house. David himself did that by making preparations for its future development, even although he himself would not be involved in the temple of Solomon when it was built.

Today, the house of God and the city of Jerusalem are very different. Zion is a heavenly city with inhabitants in heaven and on earth. Those on earth don’t travel to the city because they are resident in it wherever they are (Heb. 12:22-24). Yet they must pray for its ongoing peace and they each must resolve to promote what makes for peace in Zion.