Coming To God's House Rejoicing

Psalm 122

A number of Christians have had the privilege and joy to be able to go on a pilgrimage and see the sights of the Holy Land, to Rome, or a number of other locations.  King David, the writer of our psalm for today, was on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to celebrate one of several religious festivals when he wrote this. This psalm is one of several that are called the Songs of Ascent (Psalms 120-134), which were said or sung as pilgrims made there way to Jerusalem.  It is called an “ascent” as Jerusalem is on a high hill. The city’s elevation is 2,474 ft. above sea level. Compare that to Jericho, only 16 miles away, but at an elevation of 846 ft. below sea level. So it was a steep hike going up to Jerusalem.

King David rejoiced, knowing he was going to the Lord’s house, the Tabernacle, God’s place of worship in Jerusalem.  It was also a chance for him to be together with other devout believers, worshipping the Lord together (vs. 1-2). Being a king, David had a busy schedule, with many claims on his time, but he didn’t look at this as a nuisance or religious drudgery.  He was glad to be able to go to the Lord’s tabernacle to worship him. He was thrilled, and grateful to have this opportunity.

How do we look at going to church?  Do we look at it as a chore or inconvenience, or as a pleasure?  If there is unconfessed sin in our hearts, or have drifted away from God and our love for Him has cooled, then often we aren’t so eager to go to church.  If we are close to God, though, we will desire worship and Christian fellowship.

Jerusalem is an ancient city, one that was captured from the Jebusites by King David, and then made his capital city.  The city of Jerusalem during the time of King David and King Solomon was not geographically large. As we read in verse 3, it was a compact one, one where the Temple in Solomon’s day, and the palace took up a large portion of the area.  The thrones of judgment mentioned in verse 5 are places by the city gate where the city elders would hear cases and give judgment. On some occasions King David or any later kings would sit to judge. Naturally God wanted the kings to give honest and righteous judgment. Unfortunately not many of the kings of Judah were godly men. King David was one, and following him, of the twenty kings, only five were good, godly, and righteous rulers.

As King David concludes this short psalm, he is praying for peace - the peace of the City of Jerusalem, of it’s residents, his friends, and fellow pilgrims (vs. 6 - 9).   This peace is more than just an absence of conflict or literal war. It is also a completeness, health, justice, prosperity, and protection. The world cannot give us this peace. This is the peace that Jesus spoke of, that He gives His followers (John 14:27). It is not something that we can find in the world, but only through Him (John 16:33). The peace which God gives us is peace of mind and peace with others (Philippians 4:7).

The name of Jerusalem means “City of Peace”.  Yet Jerusalem has had more wars and battles then just about any other city in history. Throughout its long history it has been besieged at least 23 times. It has been attacked at least 52 times, captured and recaptured 44 times.  Jerusalem has been completely destroyed down to the ground at least twice in its history. Jerusalem will never experience true or lasting peace until it accepts the Prince of Peace, the Lord Jesus Christ, as the true Messiah and Savior.

Do you desire peace in your life, in your heart and mind?  The only way to have true peace in one’s life is by asking Jesus Christ into your heart as your personal Savior.  Do not let another moment pass without making this most important decision.