Useful Bible Studies > Songs of Ascent Commentary

Psalm 122

The Jerusalem that David described

Israel was divided into 12 *tribes. The members of each *tribe were the families that came from one of Jacob’s sons. During many periods of their history, the *tribes did not have a common ruler. Before Saul ruled, the nation had no king. For several centuries, people whom we call ‘judges’ led the nation. (See the Book of Judges.) But during that period of time, each person did as he pleased. After Saul, there were David and Solomon. And after Solomon, the 10 *tribes in northern Israel separated themselves from the *tribe of Judah, which controlled Jerusalem. David’s family ruled in Jerusalem for many centuries. But other kings ruled the 10 *tribes in northern Israel.

In this song, the poet saw all the *tribes together (verse 4). And he saw the temple (God’s house). Solomon built the first temple. So in history, this song could only belong to Solomon’s rule. But the title says that David (Solomon’s father) was the author of this song. During David’s life, there was no temple.

Peter said that David was a *prophet (Acts 2:30). That means that God showed future events to David. David wrote about events that had not yet happened. And we shall see that those events are still in the future.

David (in other words, the poet) saw that his own family would rule Jerusalem. That is what God had promised to David (2 Samuel 7:12-16).

Ancient kings were also the judges of their people. But many ancient kings were not fair judges. They used their power to benefit themselves and their friends. People could not obtain fair judgements, so poor people and weak people suffered. But here in Jerusalem, David saw something different. Here, the judges gave the people the help that they needed. The judges acted against evil people. And the judges helped people who were too weak or poor to protect themselves.

So here in Jerusalem were the rulers that God had appointed. Those rulers loved God’s law. All the people in Israel came together to *worship God there. And there were not wars and troubles between the various *tribes (groups of families). Instead, they supported each other.

This is how Jerusalem should be. This is how God wants Jerusalem to be. But then the reality of the last 3000 years enters the song. Jerusalem has never been like that. So people who love Jerusalem must pray.

Next part: A prayer for peace in Jerusalem

See the word list for explanation of words with a *

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