Read & explore together
Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem
Psalm 122 is a song of gladness about going to Yahweh’s house, and it turns into a prayer for Jerusalem. The psalm links worship, gathered tribes, public rule, peace, and seeking the city’s good.
Understanding the passage
Read these words in context
In this passage, the singer rejoices at the invitation to go to Yahweh’s house and says they are standing inside Jerusalem’s gates. The song then describes the city, the tribes going there to thank Yahweh, the thrones set there, and a call to pray for Jerusalem’s peace.
Psalms 122:1–9Main takeaway
This psalm shows joyful worship joined with prayer for Jerusalem’s peace and a desire for its good.
Explore the poem and its images
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Glad to go to Yahweh’s houseThe psalm begins with joy at the words, “Let’s go to Yahweh’s house!” Then it says, “Our feet are standing within your gates, Jerusalem!”
Explanation
The psalm begins with joy at the words, “Let’s go to Yahweh’s house!” Then it says, “Our feet are standing within your gates, Jerusalem!” The movement is simple and strong: from glad invitation to actually standing in the city.
02Jerusalem and the gathered tribesJerusalem is described as “compact together”, a closely joined city. The tribes go up there, “according to an ordinance for Israel”.
Explanation
Jerusalem is described as “compact together”, a closely joined city. The tribes go up there, “according to an ordinance for Israel”. Their purpose is clearly stated: they go there “to give thanks to Yahweh’s name”. Worship is central in this song.
03Thrones set for judgementThe psalm also says, “there are set thrones for judgment, the thrones of David’s house.” The verse adds another feature of Jerusalem.
Explanation
The psalm also says, “there are set thrones for judgment, the thrones of David’s house.” The verse adds another feature of Jerusalem. It does not explain more, but it presents the city as a place where thrones are established there.
04Pray for peace and seek goodThe closing lines call, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” They ask for peace within its walls and prosperity within its palaces.
Explanation
The closing lines call, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” They ask for peace within its walls and prosperity within its palaces. The singer says this for “my brothers’ and companions’ sakes” and “for the sake of the house of Yahweh our God”.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What change do you hear between the first two verses?
Verse 1 is gladness at the invitation, and verse 2 says the feet are already standing within Jerusalem’s gates.
02Why do the tribes go up to Jerusalem in this psalm?
The psalm says they go up according to an ordinance for Israel, and their purpose is to give thanks to Yahweh’s name.
03What reasons does the singer give for saying, “Peace be within you”?
The final verses name two reasons: for brothers and companions, and for the sake of the house of Yahweh our God.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Psalms 122:1–9
1I was glad when they said to me, “Let’s go to Yahweh’s house!”
2Our feet are standing within your gates, Jerusalem!
3Jerusalem is built as a city that is compact together,
4where the tribes go up, even Yah’s tribes, according to an ordinance for Israel, to give thanks to Yahweh’s name.
5For there are set thrones for judgment, the thrones of David’s house.
6Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Those who love you will prosper.
7Peace be within your walls, and prosperity within your palaces.
8For my brothers’ and companions’ sakes, I will now say, “Peace be within you.”
9For the sake of the house of Yahweh our God, I will seek your good.