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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
We will read two portions of Scripture relating to public worship; the first will be Psalms 122, one of David’s “Songs of degrees.” (See Luk_18:1-14 for second portion.)
Psa_122:1. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
“I was glad for my own sake, for I hungered and thirsted to go into the house of the Lord; I was glad for the sake of those who offered to go with me, for I delight to see in others a longing desire to profit by the means of grace; I was glad when they said unto me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord.’”
Psa_122:2-3. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:
So is every true church of God when it is in a healthy state. There are no divisions, no schisms: “Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together.” It is not a long straggling street, a dislocated village; but all the houses are rightly and regularly placed, and surrounded with strong munitions of defense against the adversary. May this church ever be blessed with such unity that it shall be as a city that is compact together!
Psa_122:4. Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.
We should go up to the house of God, then, for two purposes, first, “unto the testimony of Israel;” that is, to hear what God testifies to us, and also publicly to testify our confidence in him; and, next, we should go up “to give thanks unto the name of the Lord.” Especially should we do this when we have been restored from beds of languishing sickness and pain, or when we come up from the house of mourning. But what is there in God’s house that should tempt us to go there?
Psa_122:5. For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.
The preaching of the gospel is like the setting up of a throne of judgment, “for the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two- edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart;” and long before the last great judgment day arrives, and the final assize begins, the ministry of the gospel is God’s judgment seat, at which ungodly men may learn what they are in the sight of the Judge of all, what their present state of condemnation is, and what it will be finally unless they repent.
Psa_122:6. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
Ask that she may be free from persecution without, and from anything like disturbance within: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.”
Psa_122:6. They shall prosper that love thee.
Neglect of the means of grace is the death of all soul-prosperity; but an earnest love to the house of God, and all who belong to God, will bring us true spiritual prosperity.
Psa_122:7-9. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.
Now let us read a short passage out of the Gospel according to Luke.
This exposition consisted of readings from Psalms 122 and Luk_18:1-14.
Psa_122:1. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
I was glad for their sake, glad to think they were so willing to go. I was glad also for my own sake, for I was glad to go, too.
Psa_122:2. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.
Happy men who were citizens of such a city! Happy worshippers coming together to the place whose very name signifies the vision of peace, the metropolis of God, type of the New Jerusalem which is from above!
Psa_122:3. Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:
Not a conglomeration of huts, but builded as a city with substantial structures; and not a straggling city, like some we read of, that have been called “cities of magnificent distances,” but it was “compact together.” Happy is the church that is at peace; blessed are the people who are joined together by a gracious brotherly love.
Psa_122:4. Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.
The Church is the point of meeting: “Whither the tribes go up.” The Church is the place of “testimony,” and saints go to hear testimony, and they go to bear it. I wish there was more of this bearing testimony among Christian people, and that they looked upon it as a sacred duty to tell to others what God has told to them. “To give thanks unto the name of the Lord” — that is another part of true worship, — praise, joyful thanksgiving, should be one of the saints’ continual avocations; let us not forget it at this time. Some are here who have been sick; let them give thanks unto the name of the Lord. Some are here who are still weak, yet able to come up with God’s people; let us give thanks unto the name of the Lord. We have all some special mercy, some choice favor, for which to praise his name; then let us all give thanks unto the name of the Lord.
Psa_122:6. For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.
If any of the people had been wronged by the petty magistrates, they went up to Jerusalem, and made their appeal to the king. Here may we bring our suit before God, and order our case before him, for he is true and just, and nothing shall go amiss that is left with him.
Psa_122:6. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
Pray for it now, breathe a silent prayer to God.
Psa_122:6. They shall prosper that love thee.
God loves those who love his Church, and love his cause, and he rewards them with prosperity, as much of earthly prosperity as they can bear, and prosperity to their souls beyond measure.
Psa_122:7. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palace.
The psalmist bade us pray, and now he himself prays. He who bids others do a thing should be prepared to set the example.
Psa_122:8. For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now pray, Peace be within Thee.
Let us say it, for the sake of beloved ones in heaven, and dear ones on earth who are on the way thither, “Peace be within thee.”
Psa_122:9. Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.
Not only pray for it, but work for it, give for it, live for it: “I will seek thy good!” God bless to us these two Psalms and put us all in a right state of heart tonight! Amen.
This exposition consisted of readings from Psalms 121, 122.