By Alex Cowie
Read Psalm 122
This psalm is one of the Songs of Ascents (Psalms 120-134), which focuses on Jerusalem, the City of God (Psalm 48:1,8).
The Psalmist expresses joy in the people of God gathering together in the city (1-2). In the Old Testament Jerusalem was a place of security (3), the centre of the Davidic kingdom (5), and a place of assembly for God’s people (4) for the annual feasts of thanksgiving, sacrifice and offerings at the house of God. The temple was built and dedicated by Solomon (1 Kings 8) to be filled by the glory of God (1 Kings 8:10-11) and to be a house of prayer (1 Kings 8:27-53).
The psalm concludes with prayer for the peace of the city as it provides security (6-7), fellowship (8) and a place of
worship of God (9).
For us, our security is in God who sent Jesus, His Son, into the world to be the sacrifice for our sin and to return as King (Revelation 11:18). We are joined together as God’s household (Ephesians 2:19). The tribes in the Old Testament gathered together annually for the great feasts; we can gather together in twos or threes (Matthew 18:20).