1 I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
2 Our feet have been standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem!
3 Jerusalem—built as a city
that is bound firmly together,
4 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.
5 There thrones for judgment were set,
the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
“May they be secure who love you!
7 Peace be within your walls
and security within your towers!”
8 For my brothers and companions’ sake
I will say, “Peace be within you!”
9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.
(Translated version, original article written in Chinese by Pastor Mickey Hsiao)
[Theme] Blessed and Bless
The poet described a picture full of joy and peace! I saw those whose hearts were full of expectation for the Holy Temple of God. When their feet really stepped into Jerusalem, all of their troubles were figuratively speaking – thrown out of the sky – regardless of the deceitful tongues of the Gentiles (Psalm 120), or the hardships encountered on the way (Psalm 121).
According to the poet in Psalm 122:3, “Jerusalem is built like a city that is constructed close together.” It seems to us that the city was well built – with every stone and every piece of material neatly stacked and perfectly connected – making the entire city stable and solid.
At the same time, through the narration of the poet, we could see that all of the tribes of Israel gathered together, cooperated with the priests and Levites who were in charge of sacrifices, and gave glory and praise to the Lord!
Jerusalem is certainly the center of worship, and the administrative center. Those in power should uphold God’s law and enforce justice and judgment. All people who come here should be in awe of God!
The people in the city, full of God’s love, prayed for the Jerusalem’s peace and prosperity. It was conceivable that this city was so important. It connected the hearts of people because God was among them.
[Meditation]
The church is “like a city that is constructed close together” (Psalm 122:3), built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord (Ephesians 2:20-21). Although our brothers and sisters come from different places and have different backgrounds, because of Jesus Christ, we are able to be “connected” and maintain a harmonious and beautiful relationship when worshiping God on Sunday. The Holy Spirit guides us and reveals the truth so that we can offer our best praise and worship to God! We are grateful because God is with us and He blesses us.
[Prayer]
Today, be grateful for the presence of God, be grateful for my church, and pray for God’s blessings for my brothers and sisters!
[Memory Verse]
Psalm 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure.”