Psalm 122:1

Psalm 122:1

A Hymn of Joy

This is another of those songs of ascent, sung by joyful pilgrims as they approached the Temple Mount and the glory of the Lord God beckoned them. This time the author is King David, and this beautiful Psalm is his tribute to the great city of Jerusalem, the city he had made his home and the place to which he had brought the Ark of God. His own hands were bloodied by the wars and skirmishes of conquest, but David had been promised peace in the land and had taken charge of the plans for a great Temple, to be built by his son, Solomon. It is clear that David loved this place, he expresses deep joy over it and prays for peace and safety within its walls. 

In fact, Jerusalem is a by-word for probably the most fought over and troubled city in the world, it has withstood endless conflicts and battles for its buildings, and for its soul. Even today, it comes regularly to the attention of the whole world and is either a source of irritation or hatred, or the most glorious settlement ever built. I’m with David, after you have been to Jerusalem and seen its glory there is no city that can compare.

 

V1 We rejoice that Jerusalem still stands, despite so many efforts to destroy it, but imagine the joy of entering the gates knowing that the presence of the Lord God is there and that at His holy Temple there are throngs of fellow pilgrims worshipping and celebrating their faith. Imagine the colourful scenes as Priests and Levites go about their business. Imagine too the sound of the Levite choirs and their musicians. There was nothing else like it in Bible times even though the complete fulfilment, with the building of the Temple, did not come about in David’s lifetime. What mattered to him was that, because the sacred Ark of the Covenant had come to Mount Zion and the building of the Temple was imminent, David was inspired to love every stone of this holy site. It was the dwelling place of the Lord and there was nowhere else on earth he would rather be! 

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