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Psalms 122:3 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

3 Jerusalem H3389 is builded H1129 as a city H5892 that is compact H2266 together: H3162

Cross Reference

2 Samuel 5:9 STRONG

So David H1732 dwelt H3427 in the fort, H4686 and called H7121 it the city H5892 of David. H1732 And David H1732 built H1129 round about H5439 from Millo H4407 and inward. H1004

Nehemiah 4:6 STRONG

So built H1129 we the wall; H2346 and all the wall H2346 was joined together H7194 unto the half H2677 thereof: for the people H5971 had a mind H3820 to work. H6213

Psalms 147:2 STRONG

The LORD H3068 doth build up H1129 Jerusalem: H3389 he gathereth together H3664 the outcasts H1760 of Israel. H3478

Ephesians 2:20-21 STRONG

And are built G2026 upon G1909 the foundation G2310 of the apostles G652 and G2532 prophets, G4396 Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 himself G846 being G5607 the chief corner G204 stone; In G1722 whom G3739 all G3956 the building G3619 fitly framed together G4883 groweth G837 unto G1519 an holy G40 temple G3485 in G1722 the Lord: G2962

Ephesians 4:4-7 STRONG

There is one G1520 body, G4983 and G2532 one G1520 Spirit, G4151 even as G2531 G2532 ye are called G2564 in G1722 one G3391 hope G1680 of your G5216 calling; G2821 One G1520 Lord, G2962 one G1520 faith, G4102 one G3391 baptism, G908 One G1520 God G2316 and G2532 Father G3962 of all, G3956 who G3588 is above G1909 all, G3956 and G2532 through G1223 all, G3956 and G2532 in G1722 you G5213 all. G3956 But G1161 unto every G1538 one G1520 of us G2257 is given G1325 grace G5485 according to G2596 the measure G3358 of the gift G1431 of Christ. G5547

Revelation 21:10-27 STRONG

And G2532 he carried G667 me G3165 away G667 in G1722 the spirit G4151 to G1909 a great G3173 and G2532 high G5308 mountain, G3735 and G2532 shewed G1166 me G3427 that great G3173 city, G4172 the holy G40 Jerusalem, G2419 descending G2597 out of G1537 heaven G3772 from G575 God, G2316 Having G2192 the glory G1391 of God: G2316 and G2532 her G846 light G5458 was like G3664 unto a stone G3037 most precious, G5093 even like G5613 a jasper G2393 stone, G3037 clear as crystal; G2929 And G5037 had G2192 a wall G5038 great G3173 and G2532 high, G5308 and had G2192 twelve G1427 gates, G4440 and G2532 at G1909 the gates G4440 twelve G1427 angels, G32 and G2532 names G3686 written thereon, G1924 which G3739 are G2076 the names of the twelve G1427 tribes G5443 of the children G5207 of Israel: G2474 On G575 the east G395 three G5140 gates; G4440 on G575 the north G1005 three G5140 gates; G4440 on G575 the south G3558 three G5140 gates; G4440 and G2532 on G575 the west G1424 three G5140 gates. G4440 And G2532 the wall G5038 of the city G4172 had G2192 twelve G1427 foundations, G2310 and G2532 in G1722 them G846 the names G3686 of the twelve G1427 apostles G652 of the Lamb. G721 And G2532 he that talked G2980 with G3326 me G1700 had G2192 a golden G5552 reed G2563 to G2443 measure G3354 the city, G4172 and G2532 the gates G4440 thereof, G846 and G2532 the wall G5038 thereof. G846 And G2532 the city G4172 lieth G2749 foursquare, G5068 and G2532 the length G3372 G846 is G2076 as large G5118 as G3745 G2532 the breadth: G4114 and G2532 he measured G3354 the city G4172 with the reed, G2563 G1909 twelve G1427 thousand G5505 furlongs. G4712 The length G3372 and G2532 the breadth G4114 and G2532 the height G5311 of it G846 are G2076 equal. G2470 And G2532 he measured G3354 the wall G5038 thereof, G846 an hundred G1540 and forty G5062 and four G5064 cubits, G4083 according to the measure G3358 of a man, G444 that is, G3603 of the angel. G32 And G2532 the building G1739 of the wall G5038 of it G846 was G2258 of jasper: G2393 and G2532 the city G4172 was pure G2513 gold, G5553 like G3664 unto clear G2513 glass. G5194 And G2532 the foundations G2310 of the wall G5038 of the city G4172 were garnished with G2885 all manner of G3956 precious G5093 stones. G3037 The first G4413 foundation G2310 was jasper; G2393 the second, G1208 sapphire; G4552 the third, G5154 a chalcedony; G5472 the fourth, G5067 an emerald; G4665 The fifth, G3991 sardonyx; G4557 the sixth, G1623 sardius; G4556 the seventh, G1442 chrysolite; G5555 the eighth, G3590 beryl; G969 the ninth, G1766 a topaz; G5116 the tenth, G1182 a chrysoprasus; G5556 the eleventh, G1734 a jacinth; G5192 the twelfth, G1428 an amethyst. G271 And G2532 the twelve G1427 gates G4440 were twelve G1427 pearls; G3135 every G1538 G303 several G1520 gate G4440 was G2258 of G1537 one G1520 pearl: G3135 and G2532 the street G4113 of the city G4172 was pure G2513 gold, G5553 as it were G5613 transparent G1307 glass. G5194 And G2532 I saw G1492 no G3756 temple G3485 therein: G1722 G846 for G1063 the Lord G2962 God G2316 Almighty G3841 and G2532 the Lamb G721 are G2076 the temple G3485 of it. G846 And G2532 the city G4172 had G2192 no G3756 need G5532 of the sun, G2246 neither G3761 of the moon, G4582 to G2443 shine G5316 in G1722 it: G846 for G1063 the glory G1391 of God G2316 did lighten G5461 it, G846 and G2532 the Lamb G721 is the light G3088 thereof. G846 And G2532 the nations G1484 of them which are saved G4982 shall walk G4043 in G1722 the light G5457 of it: G846 and G2532 the kings G935 of the earth G1093 do bring G5342 their G846 glory G1391 and G2532 honour G5092 into G1519 it. G846 And G2532 the gates G4440 of it G846 shall G2808 not G3364 be shut G2808 at all G3364 by day: G2250 for G1063 there shall be G2071 no G3756 night G3571 there. G1563 And G2532 they shall bring G5342 the glory G1391 and G2532 honour G5092 of the nations G1484 into G1519 it. G846 And G2532 there shall G1525 in no wise G3364 enter G1525 into G1519 it G846 any thing G3956 that defileth, G2840 neither G2532 whatsoever worketh G4160 abomination, G946 or G2532 maketh a lie: G5579 but G1508 they which are written G1125 in G1722 the Lamb's G721 book G975 of life. G2222

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Psalms 122

Commentary on Psalms 122 Matthew Henry Commentary


Psalm 122

This psalm seems to have been penned by David for the use of the people of Israel, when they came up to Jerusalem to worship at the three solemn feasts. It was in David's time that Jerusalem was first chosen to be the city where God would record his name. It being a new thing, this, among other means, was used to bring the people to be in love with Jerusalem, as the holy city, though it was but the other day in the hands of the Jebusites. Observe,

  • I. The joy with which they were to go up to Jerusalem (v. 1, 2).
  • II. The great esteem they were to have of Jerusalem (v. 3-5).
  • III. The great concern they were to have for Jerusalem, and the prayers they were to put up for its welfare (v. 6-9).

In singing this psalm we must have an eye to the gospel church, which is called the "Jerusalem that is from above.'

A song of degrees of David.

Psa 122:1-5

Here we have,

  • I. The pleasure which David and other pious Israelites took in approaching to and attending upon God in public ordinances, v. 1, 2.
    • 1. The invitation to them was very welcome. David was himself glad, and would have every Israelite to say that he was glad, when he was called upon to go up to the house of the Lord. Note,
      • (1.) It is the will of God that we should worship him in concert, that many should join together to wait upon him in public ordinances. We ought to worship God in our own houses, but that is not enough; we must go into the house of the Lord, to pay our homage to him there, and not forsake the assembling of ourselves together.
      • (2.) We should not only agree with one another, but excite and stir up one another, to go to worship God in public. Let us go; not, "Do you go and pray for us, and we will stay at home;' but, We will go also, Zec. 8:21. Not, "Do you go before, and we will follow at our leisure;' or, "We will go first, and you shall come after us;' but, "Let us go together, for the honour of God and for our mutual edification and encouragement.' We ourselves are slow and backward, and others are so too, and therefore we should thus quicken and sharpen one another to that which is good, as iron sharpens iron.
      • (3.) Those that rejoice in God will rejoice in calls and opportunities to wait upon him. David himself, though he had as little need of a spur to his zeal in religious exercises as any, yet was so far from taking it as an affront that he was glad of it as a kindness when he was called upon to go up to the house of the Lord with the meanest of his subjects. We should desire our Christian friends, when they have any good work in hand, to call for us and take us along with them.
    • 2. The prospect of them was very pleasing. They speak it with a holy triumph (v. 2): Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem! Those that came out of the country, when they found the journey tedious, comforted themselves with this, that they should be in Jerusalem shortly, and that would make amends for all the fatigues of their journey. We shall stand there as servants; it is desirable to have a place in Jerusalem, though it be among those that stand by (Zec. 3:7), though it be the door keeper's place, Ps. 84:10. We have now got a resting-place for the ark, and where it is there will we be.
  • II. The praises of Jerusalem, as Ps. 48:12.
    • 1. It is the beautiful city, not only for situation, but for building. It is built into a city, the houses not scattered, but contiguous, and the streets fair and spacious. It is built uniform, compact together, the houses strengthening and supporting one another. Though the city was divided into the higher and lower town, yet the Jebusites being driven out, and it being entirely in the possession of God's people, it is said to be compact together. It was a type of the gospel-church, which is compact together in holy love and Christian communion, so that it is all as one city.
    • 2. It is the holy city, v. 4. It is the place where all Israel meet one another: Thither the tribes go up, from all parts of the country, as one man, under the character of the tribes of the Lord, in obedience to his command. It is the place appointed for their general rendezvous; and they come together,
      • (1.) To receive instruction from God; they come to the testimony of Israel, to hear what God has to say to them and to consult his oracle.
      • (2.) To ascribe the glory to God, to give thanks to the name of the Lord, which we have all reason to do, especially those that have the testimony of Israel among them. If God speak to us by his word, we have reason to answer him by our thanksgivings. See on what errand we go to public worship, to give thanks.
    • 3. It is the royal city (v. 5): There are set thrones of judgment. Therefore the people had reason to be in love with Jerusalem, because justice was administered there by a man after God's own heart. The civil interests of the people were as well secured as their ecclesiastical concerns; and very happy they were in their courts of judicature, which were erected in Jerusalem, as with us in Westminster Hall. Observe, What a goodly sight it was to see the testimony of Israel and the thrones of judgment such near neighbours, and they are good neighbours, which may greatly befriend one another. Let the testimony of Israel direct the thrones of judgment, and the thrones of judgment protect the testimony of Israel.

Psa 122:6-9

Here,

  • I. David calls upon others to which well to Jerusalem, v. 6, 7. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, for the welfare of it, for all good to it, particularly for the uniting of the inhabitants among themselves and their preservation from the incursions of enemies. This we may truly desire, that in the peace thereof we may have peace; and this we must earnestly pray for, for it is the gift of God, and for it he will be enquired of. Those that can do nothing else for the peace of Jerusalem can pray for it, which is something more than showing their good-will; it is the appointed way of fetching in mercy. The peace and welfare of the gospel church, particularly in our land, is to be earnestly desired and prayed for by every one of us. Now,
    • 1. We are here encouraged in our prayers for Jerusalem's peace: Those shall prosper that love thee. We must pray for Jerusalem, not out of custom, nor for fashion's sake, but out of a principle of love to God's government of man and man's worship of God; and, in seeking the public welfare, we seek our own, for so well does God love the gates of Zion that he will love all those that do love them, and therefore they cannot but prosper; at least their souls shall prosper by the ordinances they so dearly love.
    • 2. We are here directed in our prayers for it and words are put into our mouths (v. 7): Peace be within thy walls. He teaches us to pray,
      • (1.) For all the inhabitants in general, all within the walls, from the least to the greatest. Peace be in thy fortifications; let them never be attacked, or, if they be, let them never be taken, but be an effectual security to the city.
      • (2.) For the princes and rulers especially: Let prosperity be in the palaces of the great men that sit at the helm and have the direction of public affairs; for, if they prosper, it will be well for the public. The poorer sort are apt to envy the prosperity of the palaces, but they are here taught to pray for it.
  • II. He resolves that whatever others do he will approve himself a faithful friend to Jerusalem,
    • 1. In his prayers: "I will now say, now I see the tribes so cheerfully resorting hither to the testimony of Israel, and the matter settled, that Jerusalem must be the place where God will record his name, now I will say, Peace be within thee.' He did not say, "Let others pray for the public peace, the priests and the prophets, whose business it is, and the people, that have nothing else to do, and I will fight for it and rule for it.' No; "I will pray for it too.'
    • 2. In his endeavours, with which he will second his prayers: "I will, to the utmost of my power, seek thy good.' Whatever lies within the sphere of our activity to do for the public good we must do it, else we are not sincere in praying for it. Now it might be said, No thanks to David to be so solicitous for the welfare of Jerusalem; it was his own city, and the interests of his family were lodged in it. This is true; yet he professes that this was not the reason why he was in such care for the welfare of Jerusalem, but it proceeded from the warm regard he had,
      • (1.) To the communion of saints: It is for my brethren and companions' sakes, that is, for the sake of all true-hearted Israelites, whom I look upon as my brethren (so he called them, 1 Chr. 28:2) and who have often been my companions in the worship of God, which has knit my heart to them.
      • (2.) To the ordinances of God: He had set his affections to the house of his God (1 Chr. 29:3); he took a great pleasure in public worship, and for that reason would pray for the good of Jerusalem. Then our concern for the public welfare is right when it is the effect of a sincere love to God's institutions and his faithful worshippers.