Psalm 122
English Standard Version
Let Us Go to the House of the Lord
A Song of (A)Ascents. Of David.
122 I was glad when they said to me,
(B)“Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
2 Our feet have been standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem!
3 Jerusalem—(C)built as a city
that is (D)bound firmly together,
4 to which the tribes (E)go up,
the tribes of the Lord,
as was (F)decreed for[a] Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the Lord.
5 There (G)thrones for judgment were set,
the thrones of the house of David.
6 (H)Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
“May they be secure who love you!
7 Peace be within your (I)walls
and security within your (J)towers!”
8 For my brothers and companions' sake
I will say, (K)“Peace be within you!”
9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will (L)seek your good.
Footnotes
- Psalm 122:4 Or as a testimony for
Psalm 122
The Voice
Psalm 122
A song [of David][a] for those journeying to worship.
This is a Davidic psalm celebrating the grandeur and significance of Jerusalem and its temple. It is ironic that Jerusalem means “city of peace” since more battles have been fought over it than over any other city.
1 I was so happy when my fellow pilgrims said,
“Let’s go to the house of the Eternal!”
2 We have made the journey, and now we are standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem! What a magnificent city!
Buildings so close together, so compact.
4 God’s people belong here. Every tribe of the Eternal
makes its way to Jerusalem—
Just as God decreed for Israel
to come together and give thanks to the Eternal.
5 In Jerusalem, justice is the order of the day because there sit the judges
and kings, the descendants of David.
6 Ask heaven to grant peace to Jerusalem:
“May those who love you prosper.
7 O Jerusalem, may His peace fill this entire city!
May this citadel be quiet and at ease!”
8 It’s because of people—my family, friends, and acquaintances—
that I say, “May peace permeate you.”
9 And because the house of Eternal One, our God, is here, know this:
I will always seek your good!
Footnotes
- 122:title Some manuscripts omit this portion.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.