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Weds 2 June - Psalm 122

Psalm 122

I rejoiced with those who said to me,
    ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’
Our feet are standing
    in your gates, Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is built like a city
    that is closely compacted together.
That is where the tribes go up –
    the tribes of the Lord –
to praise the name of the Lord
    according to the statute given to Israel.
There stand the thrones for judgment,
    the thrones of the house of David.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
    ‘May those who love you be secure.
May there be peace within your walls
    and security within your citadels.’
For the sake of my family 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.

- - -

Meditation on Psalm 122

This is another of the Psalms of Ascents which cover Psalms 120-134, four of which are assigned to David.
They have been referred to as the ‘Great Hallel’ Psalms.

These Psalms express a deep devotion to Zion / Jerusalem. This is the city which contains the great symbols of the LORD’s dwelling amongst His people.
This was not always so.

Jerusalem used to be called Jebus and was inhabited by the Jebusites, one of the Canaanite clans. They were descendants of Noah and worshipped Baal.
God had said - (Exodus 23:32). “do not let them live in your land or they will cause you to sin against me because the worship of their gods will certainly be a snare to you.’

Although Joshua had a victory over them, the Canaanites were not driven out completely until David ‘marched to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites who lived there’. David captured the fortress of Zion.

Eventually David brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and put it inside the tent. He wanted to build a temple but God told Nathan the prophet that it would be Solomon who would build “a house for my name”

David is now established in Jerusalem as king.
It was the place of pilgrimage for God’s people as they came to the city for festivals three times a year.

 

Isaac Watts pictured the coming to Jerusalem as being similar to the meeting of God’s people today as they come together to worship God and hear His Word.

‘How pleased and blessed was I to hear the people cry,

“Come let us seek our God today!”

Yes, with a cheerful zeal we haste to Zion’s hill

And there our vows and homage pay.’

 

Three aspects stand out in this Psalm.

 

  1. The celebrations in the city (Verses 1-2)

There’s a personal reflection and a corporate response.

“I rejoiced (was glad)…”

“Let US go to the house of the LORD.”

I come to church as an individual child of God. 

Why do I come? Is it because I have always come? Is it because I have nothing else to do?
At the moment, with the pandemic, it has been very difficult – there has been no church for long periods. Now the church is open again, I have to book in.
As and when all the restrictions are lifted, what will I do?
Am I comfortable with the online version – after all, I can watch it when I want to!
Or will ‘I rejoice’ that I can again go to the House of the Lord in Wick Street?

I come to church as part of the fellowship of God’s people in Wick, Littlehampton and beyond.
We come to church as a united group of God’s people – we come from a rich variety of backgrounds.

Let’s come. Let’s rejoice that we can come. Let us come with gladness to bring our praise and worship to God. 

  1. The character of the city (Verses 3-5)

The Psalmist speaks of…

    • Strength (like a city)
    • unity in diversity (‘compacted together’)
  • fellowship (‘the tribes of the LORD – to praise the name of the LORD’)
  • justice
  • authority – just as David was on the throne in Israel, so we honour and obey the One who is King of kings and LORD of lords.

 

  • The cry for the city (Verses 6-9)

Here is a prayer for the people of God, for…

  • peace
  • security

And the answer to this prayer is reflected in my relationships with…

  • family
  • friends
  • fellow Christians

 

Rejoice that we can go to the House of the Lord. See you there!

(Roger Purdom)

 

Daily Readings

Thursday 3 June - Psalm 123

Friday 4 June - Psalm 124

Saturday 5 June - Psalm 125

Sunday 6 June - Psalm 126

Monday 7 June - Psalm 127

Tuesday 8 June - Psalm 128

 

New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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