A Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem

1221 I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord." 2 Our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem. 3 Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together. 4 That is where the tribes go up- the tribes of the Lord- to praise the name of the Lordaccording to the statute given to Israel. 5 There stand the thrones for judgment, the thrones of the house of David.

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May those who love you be secure. 7 May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels." 8 For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, "Peace be within you."

Other Translations of Psalm 122:1-8

King James Version

A Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem

1221 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. 2 Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. 3 Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together: 4 Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord. 5 For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. 7 Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. 8 For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.

English Standard Version

A Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem

1221 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 forOr as a testimony 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!"

The Message

A Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem

1221 When they said, "Let's go to the house of God," my heart leaped for joy. 2 And now we're here, O Jerusalem, inside Jerusalem's walls! 3 Jerusalem, well-built city, built as a place for worship! 4 The city to which the tribes ascend, all God's tribes go up to worship, To give thanks to the name of God - this is what it means to be Israel. 5 Thrones for righteous judgment are set there, famous David-thrones.

6 Pray for Jerusalem's peace! Prosperity to all you Jerusalem-lovers! 7 Friendly insiders, get along! Hostile outsiders, keep your distance! 8 For the sake of my family and friends, I say it again: live in peace!

New King James Version

A Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem

1221 A Song of Ascents. Of David. I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the Lord." 2 Our feet have been standing Within your gates, O Jerusalem! 3 Jerusalem is built As a city that is compact together, 4 Where the tribes go up, The tribes of the Lord, To the Testimony of Israel, To give thanks to the name of the Lord. 5 For thrones are set there for judgment, The thrones of the house of David.

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May they prosper who love you. 7 Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces." 8 For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, "Peace be within you."

New Living Translation

A Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem

1221 I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord ." 2 And now here we are, standing inside your gates, O Jerusalem. 3 Jerusalem is a well-built city; its seamless walls cannot be breached. 4 All the tribes of Israel-the Lord 's people- make their pilgrimage here. They come to give thanks to the name of the Lord, as the law requires of Israel. 5 Here stand the thrones where judgment is given, the thrones of the dynasty of David.

6 Pray for peace in Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper. 7 O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls and prosperity in your palaces. 8 For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, "May you have peace."

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 122:1-8

Commentary on Psalm 122:1-5

(Read Psalm 122:1-5)

The pleasure and profit from means of grace, should make us disregard trouble and fatigue in going to them; and we should quicken one another to what is good. We should desire our Christian friends, when they have any good work in hand, to call for us, and take us with them. With what readiness should we think of the heavenly Jerusalem! How cheerfully should we bear the cross and welcome death, in hopes of a crown of glory! Jerusalem is called the beautiful city. It was a type of the gospel church, which is compact together in holy love and Christian communion, so that it is all as one city. If all the disciples of Christ were of one mind, and kept the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, their enemies would be deprived of their chief advantages against them. But Satan's maxim always has been, to divide that he may conquer; and few Christians are sufficiently aware of his designs.

Commentary on Psalm 122:6-9

(Read Psalm 122:6-9)

Those who can do nothing else for the peace of Jerusalem, may pray for it. Let us consider all who seek the glory of the Redeemer, as our brethren and fellow-travellers, without regarding differences which do not affect our eternal welfare. Blessed Spirit of peace and love, who didst dwell in the soul of the holy Jesus, descend into his church, and fill those who compose it with his heavenly tempers; cause bitter contentions to cease, and make us to be of one mind. Love of the brethren and love to God, ought to stir us up to seek to be like the Lord Jesus in fervent prayer and unwearied labour, for the salvation of men, and the Divine glory.