Psalms 122-124

Thoughts

Psalm 122

Let Us Go to the House of the Lord. A Song of Ascents. Of David

I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the LORD!”
Our feet have been standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem!

• Joy here stems from invited worship
• The temple did not exist yet, but house of the LORD could mean tabernacle, Jerusalem 

Jerusalem—built as a city
that is bound firmly together,
to which the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD,
as was decreed for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.

• Jerusalem was now established politically and religiously. 
• God is at the center and receives thanksgiving

There thrones for judgment were set,
the thrones of the house of David.

• Jerusalem is not only a place of worship but of justice and order.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
“May they be secure who love you!
Peace be within your walls
and security within your towers!”

• Peace and security is requested 

For my brothers and companions’ sake
I will say, “Peace be within you!”
For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,
I will seek your good.

• Peace is pursued for the sake of others, not just personal benefit.
• David vows to seek good

Psalm 123

Our Eyes Look to the Lord Our God. A Song of Ascents

To you I lift up my eyes,
O you who are enthroned in the heavens!

• A wonderful way to start a prayer

Behold, as the eyes of servants
look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a maidservant
to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the LORD our God,
till he has mercy upon us.

• The servant imagery shows attentiveness
• God’s “hand” represents authority and provision

Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us,
for we have had more than enough of contempt.

• Repetition for mercy due to contempt 

Our soul has had more than enough
of the scorn of those who are at ease,
of the contempt of the proud.

• Those “at ease” and proud giving out the contempt
• The psalm ends without resolution

Psalm 124

Our Help Is in the Name of the LORD. A Song of Ascents. Of David.

If it had not been the LORD who was on our side—
let Israel now say—
if it had not been the LORD who was on our side
when people rose up against us,

• A call for Israel to cry out together
• The LORD is on their side, even when people rose up against them. 

then they would have swallowed us up alive,
when their anger was kindled against us;
then the flood would have swept us away,
the torrent would have gone over us;
then over us would have gone
the raging waters.

• Threat is described as overwhelming and unstoppable (swallowed, swept away, drowning imagery)
• Survival is implied to be impossible without God’s intervention.

Blessed be the LORD,
who has not given us
as prey to their teeth!

• Praise interrupts the danger imagery 

We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken,
and we have escaped!

• The image changes from flood to trap
• Freedom comes from God

Our help is in the name of the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.

• Their hope is anchored in God, The Creator

Application

Psalm 122 shows us the joy of worship that is shared. There is joy and peace in good community who share the same love of God. Psalm 123 show us how to come to God when our dignity is attacked. We can come to Him and show our pain.  Psalm 124 shows us where our hope should be anchored. God delivers His people, even when survival seems impossible.