Psalm 122
Joyful Anticipation of Jerusalem
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Intro
Psalm 122, one of the Songs of Ascents, is a song of celebration and prayer for the peace of Jerusalem. David, its author, describes the joy of going to Jerusalem, God's chosen city. When viewed through the lens of the New Covenant, it resonates with the anticipation of the New Jerusalem, described in the Book of Revelation, and the peace brought through Jesus Christ.
Section 1: Joy in Going to Jerusalem (Verses 1-2)
"I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.” Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem."
Harmony
The joy and anticipation of entering Jerusalem is symbolic of the believer's joy and anticipation of entering the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:2). As the city of God, it represents the ultimate gathering of God's people in His presence, much like the church, the body of Christ, gathers in His name.
Talking Points
The joyous feeling of being in God's chosen city.
Jerusalem as a foreshadowing of the New Jerusalem.
The anticipation of the believer in being united with Christ in the heavenly city.
Questions
What emotions does the psalmist convey upon entering Jerusalem?
How does the anticipation of Jerusalem connect with the Christian anticipation of the New Jerusalem?
What does Jerusalem symbolize in the context of God's grand salvation plan?
Section 2: A Place of Worship and Justice (Verses 3-5)
"Jerusalem is built up as a city united together, where the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, as a testimony for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD. For there the thrones of judgment stand, the thrones of the house of David."
Harmony
Jerusalem is not just a place of unity but also a place where the tribes of Israel go up to worship and where judgments are rendered from David's throne. This anticipates the Church's dual role as a community of worshipers and as a beacon of God's righteous judgment. Moreover, Jesus, a descendant of David, will one day return to judge the world in righteousness (Acts 17:31).
Talking Points
The significance of unity in Jerusalem as a city bound together.
The parallel between Jerusalem's unity and the unity Christ desires for His Church.
The role of believers in maintaining and promoting unity within the Church.
Questions
Why is the unity of Jerusalem emphasized in this verse?
How does the unity of Jerusalem mirror the unity Christ desires for His Church?
What can believers today learn about unity from the depiction of Jerusalem?
Section 3: Prayer for Jerusalem’s Peace (Verses 6-9)
"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you prosper. May there be peace within your walls, and prosperity inside your fortresses.” For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.” For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity."
Harmony
The psalmist's prayer for the peace of Jerusalem not only applies to the physical city but prophetically speaks of the spiritual peace brought by Jesus, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). In the New Testament, Jesus weeps over Jerusalem, longing to gather its people as a hen gathers her chicks (Matthew 23:37). Through Christ's sacrifice, believers can experience true peace and security.
Talking Points
The significance of praying for peace in Jerusalem.
Jesus as the Prince of Peace and His longing for Jerusalem.
The spiritual peace that comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Questions
Why is the peace of Jerusalem so vital to the psalmist?
How does Jesus fulfill the role of bringing peace to Jerusalem spiritually?
How can believers today experience and extend this peace?
Summary
Psalm 122, viewed through the lens of the New Covenant in Christ, expresses a longing for the joy and unity found in the house of the Lord, finding its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus and His Church.
The declaration of joy at the prospect of going to the house of the Lord aligns with the joy believers experience in gathering as the body of Christ (Hebrews 10:25, Acts 2:46).
The psalmist's description of Jerusalem as a city built for unity prefigures the spiritual unity found in the Church, made up of diverse believers brought together by their faith in Jesus (1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Ephesians 4:3-6).
The call to pray for the peace of Jerusalem corresponds to the Christian's call to pray for the well-being of the Church and for God's kingdom to come (Matthew 6:10, 1 Timothy 2:1-2).
The psalmist's desire for God's house to prosper aligns with the growth and expansion of the Church as it fulfills the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8).
The emphasis on the house of the Lord as a place of worship, praise, and thanksgiving prefigures the role of the Church in exalting Jesus and proclaiming His Gospel to the world (1 Peter 2:5, Revelation 5:13).
Ultimately, Psalm 122 leads us to Jesus as the foundation of the Church, the source of unity and joy, and the reason for our worship and proclamation, inviting us to gather together in His name and be a testimony of His grace and love to the world.