Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

PSALM 122: LET US GO INTO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD The Peace of Jerusalem

The previous psalm focuses upon the journey to Jerusalem while this psalm celebrates the arrival at the ‘House of God’, the destination of their pilgrimage. It is most likely a psalm that describes the at- tendance at the three pilgrim feasts that Israel was commanded to keep in the Holy City each year. It ends with deep prayer for the city that has known little peace in its history and has a prophetic fulfillment as the church of the New Testament. It foreshadows Jesus as the ‘Judge of Israel’ upon David’s throne and the ‘Prince of Peace’ who rules from the city of peace. It is outlined simply as:

I PILGRIMAGE AND PRAISE - 1-5 II PRAY FOR PEACE - 6-9

INTRODUCTION:

“Asong for the ascent to Jerusalem. APsalm of David.”

(See the ‘Introduction to the ‘Songs of Ascent’ ). This is the first of four of the “Songs of Ascent” at- tributed to David, the others being 124, 131 and 133. Although there are schools of thought that places all the songs of ascent as being written after the return of the exile to Babylon and to other periods, there is not any objections to accepting this as a melody of the great king singing about the city he loved.

I

PILGRIMAGE AND PRAISE - 1-5

“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’”(1)

In tradition and history ‘this seems to be the standard formula that was announced at the beginning of every pilgrimage.’ 1 It still should be the chief joy of every believer in Christ to gather together as the spiritual house of God. The ‘house of the Lord’ is referring to the ‘Tent (Tabernacle) of David’ that was the center of worship for the nation. Other psalms addressed the ‘Tent of David’ in the same way: “What good fellowship we enjoyed as we walked together to the house of God.” (Ps. 55:14) In subsequent years the ‘house of the Lord’ referred to Solomon’s Temple and the rebuilt temple after the exile. Today it finds its fulfillment as the New Testament church: “We are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets.” (Eph. 2:20) The gates of Jerusalem in the spiritual realm are called praise and we enter them by giving thanks to God: “But you will call your walls salvation and your gates praise.”(Isa. 60:18, NAS) “Enter his gates with thanksgiving.”(Ps. 100:4) Nehemiah rebuilt these gates when he returned from the land of Baby- lon and each could represent a different aspect of praise and thanksgiving music for us today: • The Sheep Gate- (Neh. 3:1) Music of green pastures and still waters. • The Fish Gate- (Neh. 3:3) Music that reaches out in evangelism as we are to be fishers of men. • The Old Gate- (Neh. 3:6) Old familiar songs of the faith. • The Valley Gate- (Neh. 3:13) Music that reaches the discouraged. • The Dung Gate- (Neh. 3:14) Music that reaches the destitute who are cast off from society. • The Fountain Gate- (Neh. 3:15) Music that bubbles up with joy and excitement! “And now we are standing here inside your gates, O Jerusalem.” (2) • The East Gate- (Neh. 3:29) Music of his glory as this gate was reserved for the king’s entrance. • The Inspection Gate- Music that looks introspectively into our souls: “Search me, O God, and know my heart.” (Ps. 139:23) All of us have become citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem and we are to make a pilgrimage through the various gates God has provided for us into his presence. There is a gate for all occasions and all seasons of life. Now the Psalmist begins to describe the strength of the church, the spiritual city of God. • The Water Gate- (Neh. 3:26) Music of the Holy Spirit’s refreshing. • The Horse Gate- (Neh. 3:28) Music of war, the primary use of horses.

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