Ps122 Peace for Jerusalem

# Peace for Jerusalem
## Psalm 122

[pxhere](https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1094065 "caption")

>>>

---

## Psalms of Ascents
<div class="imgbox fulltext" style="font-size: 0.75rem">
<div>
120: Deliver Me, Oh LORD

121: My Help Comes <br/> From the LORD

**122: Peace of Jerusalem**

123: Have Mercy Upon Us

*124: The LORD On Our Side*

125: The LORD Surrounds <br/> His People

126: Restore Our Fortunes

*127: Unless the LORD Builds*

</div>
<div>

128: He Who Fears the LORD

129: Afflicted, but not <br/> Prevailed Against

130: My Soul Waits for the LORD

*131: Quieted My Soul*

132: The Face of <br/> Your Anointed One

*133: When Brothers <br/> Dwell in Unity*

134: Come Bless the LORD
</div>
</div>

[Egypt. Mariam Soliman](https://unsplash.com/photos/Ht5XmeuLyDg "caption")

>>>
+ 15 psalms, mostly short
+ Sung on the **way** to Jerusalem
  + And by priests on **temple steps**
+ Span from David to **post-exile**
+ 2 halves: center (127) by **Sol**
  + 4 by **David**, 2 in each half
+ What **is** vs what **should be**
+ David in Israel's **golden era**
  + Security, prosperity, worship
+ Desc. **worship** in house of LORD
  + city of Jeru., nation of Isr.
+ **Not** supporting Netanyahu!
  + Even in OT+NT, **Israel**
  + was often **far** astray
  + from God's commands
+ True **Is**, Jeru., house of LORD:
  + gather to **worship** God
+ How things **were** (orig design)
  + not how **are** (flawed church)
  + But **will be** (Christ's return)

---

<div class="imgbox fulltext">
<div>
<h4>Purpose</h4>

I was **glad** when they said to me,<br>
    “Let us go to the **house of the Lord**!”

Our feet have been standing <br/>
    within your **gates**, O Jerusalem!

Jerusalem — built as a city <br/>
    that is **bound** firmly together,

to which the **tribes** go up, <br/>
    the tribes of the Lord,

as was **decreed** for Israel, to give **thanks** <br/>
    to the name of the Lord.

There **thrones** for **judgment** were set, <br/>
    the thrones of the **house of David**.

</div>
<div>
<h4>Prayer</h4>

Pray for the **peace** of Jerusalem! <br/>
    “May they be **secure** who love you!

Peace be within your **walls** <br/>
    and security within your **towers**!”

For my **brothers** and companions' sake <br/>
    I will **say**, “Peace be within you!”

For the sake of <br/>
    the **house of the Lord** our God, <br/>
    I will **seek** your good.

<div class="ref">Psalm 122 (ESV)</div>

</div>
</div>

>>>
+ What **propels** us (motivates us)
  + to come worship God
+ Our **prayer** (earnest desire)
  + for the church, house of God
  + body of Christ worldwide
+ **Progression**:
  + 3x **repetition** in 1st half:
  + Jeru, tribes, thrones
+ **Outside** city (called)
  + At city **gates** (see tribes)
+ Going up to **temple** + **thrones**
  + To give **thx** + seek **justice**

---

<div class="imgbox fulltext fade">
<div>
<h4>Purpose</h4>

<div class="hl">
I was <b>glad</b> when they said to me,<br>
    “Let us go to the <b>house of the Lord</b>!”
</div>

Our feet have been standing <br/>
    within your gates, O Jerusalem!

Jerusalem — built as a city <br/>
    that is bound firmly together,

to which the tribes go up, <br/>
    the tribes of the Lord,

as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks <br/>
    to the name of the Lord.

There thrones for judgment were set, <br/>
    the thrones of the house of David.

</div>
<div>
<h4>Prayer</h4>

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! <br/>
    “May they be secure who love you!

Peace be within your walls <br/>
    and security within your towers!”

For my brothers and companions' sake <br/>
    I will say, “Peace be within you!”

For the sake of <br/>
    the house of the Lord our God, <br/>
    I will seek your good.

<div class="ref">Psalm 122 (ESV)</div>

</div>
</div>

>>>
+ Init at **everyday** life:
  + home, work, school
+ Hear **invite** from bro/sis in Chr:
  + "Let's go to **worship** God"
+ Takes us **out** of everyday
+ Sabbath should be **special**:

---

Call the Sabbath a **delight** <br/>
    and the holy day of the Lord **honorable**;

if you **honor** it, not going your **own ways**, <br/>
    or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly

[Isaiah 58:13 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Jenelle Hayes](https://unsplash.com/photos/K2SXdKPEhcg "caption")

>>>
+ delight: **lightweight**, fun
+ honorable: **weighty**, gravity
+ so when **invited**: be **glad**
+ but why often a **chore**?
  + stressed, family **arguments**
  + dread seeing certain **ppl**
  + **Hypocrisy** at church
+ Just **generate** joy, force a smile?
  + **Mixed** feelings toward church

---

<div class="imgbox fulltext fade">
<div>
<h4>Purpose</h4>

I was glad when they said to me,<br>
    “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”

<div class="hl">
Our feet have been <b>standing</b> <br/>
    within your <b>gates</b>, O Jerusalem!
</div>

Jerusalem — built as a city <br/>
    that is bound firmly together,

to which the tribes go up, <br/>
    the tribes of the Lord,

as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks <br/>
    to the name of the Lord.

There thrones for judgment were set, <br/>
    the thrones of the house of David.

</div>
<div>
<h4>Prayer</h4>

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! <br/>
    “May they be secure who love you!

Peace be within your walls <br/>
    and security within your towers!”

For my brothers and companions' sake <br/>
    I will say, “Peace be within you!”

For the sake of <br/>
    the house of the Lord our God, <br/>
    I will seek your good.

<div class="ref">Psalm 122 (ESV)</div>

</div>
</div>

>>>
+ Think back to feelings at **home**
  + getting **ready** for church
+ Now (v2) **arriving** at the gates:
+ Meeting place, plaza
  + Where **everyone** is:
+ e.g., Pr1 personifies **Wisdom**:

---

Wisdom cries aloud in the **street**,<br/>
at the entrance of the **city gates** she speaks

[Proverbs 1:20,21 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Old City of Jerusalem, Damascus Gate. <br> Leila Maziz. © UNESCO, CC-BY-SA 3.0 IGO](http://whc.unesco.org/en/documents/108391 "caption")

>>>
+ Also **Absalom** in 2Sam15
  + to steal **hearts** of Israel
+ Like our **foyer**:
  + See everyone **arriving**
  + **Friends** from far away
+ Diff **cultures**, groups
  + All **bro+sis** in Christ
  + All here to **worship** God
+ v3 1st rep: **Jeru**, Jeru:

---

<div class="imgbox fulltext fade">
<div>
<h4>Purpose</h4>

I was glad when they said to me,<br>
    “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”

Our feet have been standing <br/>
    within your gates, O Jerusalem!

<div class="hl">
Jerusalem — built as a city <br/>
    that is <b>bound firmly together</b>,

to which the <b>tribes</b> go up, <br/>
    the tribes of the Lord,
</div>

as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks <br/>
    to the name of the Lord.

There thrones for judgment were set, <br/>
    the thrones of the house of David.

</div>
<div>
<h4>Prayer</h4>

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! <br/>
    “May they be secure who love you!

Peace be within your walls <br/>
    and security within your towers!”

For my brothers and companions' sake <br/>
    I will say, “Peace be within you!”

For the sake of <br/>
    the house of the Lord our God, <br/>
    I will seek your good.

<div class="ref">Psalm 122 (ESV)</div>

</div>
</div>

>>>
+ **bound** firmly together: compact
+ Jeru. literally is compact
  + walkable at time of David
+ but **brings together**
+ 2nd rep: **tribes** of Israel
  + lived **separate**
  + often **rivals**
  + but knew were **bros**
+ **sceptre**: under God's **rule**
  + that's what's in **common**
+ Not just nation of **Israel**
  + Ac2: Jeru brought ppl from

---

... **Phrygia** and Pamphylia, <br/>
**Egypt** and the parts of Libya <br/>
belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from **Rome**, <br/>
both Jews and proselytes, <br/>
Cretans and **Arabians** — <br/>
we hear them telling in our own tongues <br/>
the mighty **works of God**.

[Acts 2:10-11 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Jean Restout, "Pentecôte", 1732](http://www.wga.hu/html/r/restout/jean2/pentecos.html "caption")

>>>
+ from every **nation**
  + to worship God
  + to hear of His mighty **works**
+ Jesus cleansing the **temple** 
  + quoted Isaiah:

---

My house shall be called a house of **prayer** <br/>
    for **all peoples**.

[Isaiah 56:7 (ESV)](# "ref")
[© 2010 @bigbirdz, CC BY 2.0](https://www.flickr.com/photos/bigbirdz/5024081279 "caption")

>>>
+ From all **walks** of life
+ **Bound** together 
  + under the **sceptre** of God
  + to proclaim His **works**
+ The **act** of coming together
  + is a **discipline**
  + and a **testimony**:
+ This is why **Heb** encourages:

---

And let us consider how to **stir up** <br/>
one another to **love** and **good works**,

not neglecting to **meet together**, <br/>
as is the habit of some,

but **encouraging** one another, and all <br/>
the more as you see the **Day** drawing near.

[Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Nancy, France. Rémi Walle](https://unsplash.com/photos/UOwvwZ9Dy6w "caption")

>>>
+ In light of Christ's imminent **return**
+ Final **judg**, examine every **heart**
+ **End** times: 
  + **Harder** to stand firm in faith
+ Even more **spur** e.o. on
  + **meet**, and **encourage**
+ Can't we worship God at **home**?
  + In **theory**, yes
+ Better than **nothing**
  + if **unable** to come out
+ In practise: hard to **encour** remotely
+ v4:

---

<div class="imgbox fulltext fade">
<div>
<h4>Purpose</h4>

I was glad when they said to me,<br>
    “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”

Our feet have been standing <br/>
    within your gates, O Jerusalem!

Jerusalem — built as a city <br/>
    that is bound firmly together,

to which the tribes go up, <br/>
    the tribes of the Lord,

<div class="hl">
as was <b>decreed</b> for Israel, to give <b>thanks</b> <br/>
    to the name of the Lord.
</div>

There thrones for judgment were set, <br/>
    the thrones of the house of David.

</div>
<div>
<h4>Prayer</h4>

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! <br/>
    “May they be secure who love you!

Peace be within your walls <br/>
    and security within your towers!”

For my brothers and companions' sake <br/>
    I will say, “Peace be within you!”

For the sake of <br/>
    the house of the Lord our God, <br/>
    I will seek your good.

<div class="ref">Psalm 122 (ESV)</div>

</div>
</div>

>>>
+ "decree" / ordinance: **testimony**
+ Taking time to meet together is a
+ **Sacrament**: ritual with meaning
  + not legalistic **religion**
+ but a **discipline** 
  + that draws **attention**
+ to God's **works**,
  + not **my** piety
+ E.g., sacrament of **Passover**:

---

You shall observe this **rite** as a statute <br/>
for you and for your sons forever.

... And when your **children** say to you, <br/>
‘What do you **mean** by this service?’ <br/>

you shall say, <br/>
‘It is the sacrifice of the Lord's **Passover**, <br/>
for he passed over the houses <br/>
of the people of Israel in Egypt'

[Exodus 12:24,26-27 (ESV)](# "ref")
[James Coleman](https://unsplash.com/photos/_HzRfyw7BuA "caption")

>>>
+ Holy Communion / Last Supper
  + Proclaim Lord's death 
  + until He returns
+ Again, when God led Joshua + Isr
  + through **Jordan** river:

---

Pass on before the ark of the Lord your God <br/>
into the **midst of the Jordan**, and take up <br/>
each of you a **stone** upon his shoulder, <br/>
... that this may be a **sign** among you.

When your **children** ask in time to come, <br/>
‘What do those stones **mean** to you?’ <br/>
then you shall tell them that the waters of <br/>
the **Jordan** were cut off before the ark.

[Joshua 4:5-6 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Colton Sturgeon](https://unsplash.com/photos/6KkYYqTEDwQ "caption")

>>>
+ Common theme: **children** ask
  + "What does this **mean**?"
+ Opp. to **tell** of God's works
+ Not all **rituals** are bad!
+ **Signs** + memorials **testify**
  + God's **mercy** + salvation

---

<div class="imgbox fulltext fade">
<div>
<h4>Purpose</h4>

I was glad when they said to me,<br>
    “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”

Our feet have been standing <br/>
    within your gates, O Jerusalem!

Jerusalem — built as a city <br/>
    that is bound firmly together,

to which the tribes go up, <br/>
    the tribes of the Lord,

as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks <br/>
    to the name of the Lord.

<div class="hl">
There <b>thrones</b> for <b>judgment</b> were set, <br/>
    the thrones of the <b>house of David</b>.
</div>

</div>
<div>
<h4>Prayer</h4>

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! <br/>
    “May they be secure who love you!

Peace be within your walls <br/>
    and security within your towers!”

For my brothers and companions' sake <br/>
    I will say, “Peace be within you!”

For the sake of <br/>
    the house of the Lord our God, <br/>
    I will seek your good.

<div class="ref">Psalm 122 (ESV)</div>

</div>
</div>

>>>
+ **Rejoice** invite to Jeru.
+ At the gates, see **tribes**
  + **bound together** to seek God
+ Rituals with **meaning**
  + decree + **testimony**
  + thanks for God's providence
+ Where is the **destination**?
+ 3rd rep + **central** vs (v5):
  + **Thrones** for judgment
  + **Justice**, right + wrong
+ David talking about **self**?
  + No: auth lies w/**Jesus**
+ In **Lk1**, angel Gabriel
  + proclaimed Christ's **birth**:

---

You shall call his name **Jesus**.

He will be great and will be called <br/>
the **Son of the Most High**.

And the Lord God will give to him <br/>
the **throne** of his **father David**.

[Luke 1:31-32 (ESV)](# "ref")
[(Murillo, "The Annunciation", 1660)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bartolom%C3%A9_Esteban_Perez_Murillo_023.jpg "caption")

>>>
+ Son of Most High **God**
  + and son of **David**
+ **Throne** of house of David
  + Jesus the **Messiah**
+ In **Lk18**, blind beggar 
  + **Bar-Timaeus** addresses him:

---

As he drew near to Jericho, a **blind man** <br/>
was sitting by the roadside begging.

And he cried out, <br/>
“Jesus, **Son of David**, have mercy on me!”

[Luke 18:35,38 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Nikolay Svishchev-Paola, "Beggar with a Lyra", 1900](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Beggar_with_a_Lyra,_by_Svishchev-Paola_1900s.jpg "caption")

>>>
+ Phar. never called "Son of David"
+ Bar-timaeus **recog** Jesus
  + as Messiah, Son of **God**
+ **Sought** not only **healing**
  + but **justice**

---

<div class="imgbox fulltext fade">
<div>
<h4>Purpose</h4>

I was glad when they said to me,<br>
    “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”

Our feet have been standing <br/>
    within your gates, O Jerusalem!

Jerusalem — built as a city <br/>
    that is bound firmly together,

to which the tribes go up, <br/>
    the tribes of the Lord,

as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks <br/>
    to the name of the Lord.

<div class="hl">
There <b>thrones</b> for <b>judgment</b> were set, <br/>
    the thrones of the <b>house of David</b>.
</div>

</div>
<div>
<h4>Prayer</h4>

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! <br/>
    “May they be secure who love you!

Peace be within your walls <br/>
    and security within your towers!”

For my brothers and companions' sake <br/>
    I will say, “Peace be within you!”

For the sake of <br/>
    the house of the Lord our God, <br/>
    I will seek your good.

<div class="ref">Psalm 122 (ESV)</div>

</div>
</div>

>>>
+ Amid world of **injustice**
  + **Personal** suffering
  + **General**: gov, nations
+ **Rich** get richer
  + **boast** in lawlessness
+ **Cheaters** win + never get deserve
+ Our hearts suffer **moral injury**
  + yearn to see **justice** done
+ Remember **why** we come to church:
  + **Who** is the God we seek?

---

The Lord, the Lord, a God **merciful** <br/>
and **gracious**, slow to anger, and <br/>
abounding in **steadfast love** and faithfulness, <br/>
keeping steadfast love for thousands, <br/>
**forgiving** iniquity and transgression and sin, <br/>
but who will by **no means** clear the **guilty**

[Exodus 34:6-7 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Vietnam. Andreas Kind](https://unsplash.com/photos/bUhzlj3gGso "caption")

>>>
+ Mt. Sinai, 2nd tablets to Moses
+ **Merciful** + **just**
+ God not **blind** to evils in world
  + **sees**, knows, will judge
+ Has ultimate **authority**: King
+ Come before **throne**
  + in humility + thanks
+ Present **requests**
  + not as **demands**
  + not **entitled**
+ Pray for God's **intervention**
  + bring **justice**
  + show **mercy** to needy

---

# What do I **seek** at church?

>>>
+ **Blessing**: good marks on **exam**
  + healing from **illness**
  + make my kid **behave**!
+ **Comfort**: surround w/**happy** ppl
  + assured life will get **better**
  + singles: find **companionship**
+ In Ps122, what **propels** us to worship?
  + **Joy** at invitation
  + Brought **together**, testimony
  + Seek throne of **justice**

---

<div class="imgbox fulltext fade">
<div>
<h4>Purpose</h4>

I was glad when they said to me,<br>
    “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”

Our feet have been standing <br/>
    within your gates, O Jerusalem!

Jerusalem — built as a city <br/>
    that is bound firmly together,

to which the tribes go up, <br/>
    the tribes of the Lord,

as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks <br/>
    to the name of the Lord.

There thrones for judgment were set, <br/>
    the thrones of the house of David.

</div>
<div>
<h4>Prayer</h4>

<div class="hl">
Pray for the <b>peace</b> of Jerusalem! <br/>
    “May they be <b>secure</b> who love you!
</div>

Peace be within your walls <br/>
    and security within your towers!”

For my brothers and companions' sake <br/>
    I will say, “Peace be within you!”

For the sake of <br/>
    the house of the Lord our God, <br/>
    I will seek your good.

<div class="ref">Psalm 122 (ESV)</div>

</div>
</div>

>>>
+ 2nd half: respond in **prayer**:
+ Earnest **desire** plus
  + faithful **obedience**
+ **Peace**: shalom, complete, sound
  + restored how it **should** be
+ **Security**: feel at **ease**
  + carefree, even **neglectful**
  + not **stressed**
+ Pray that **church** would be this
  + And that it spreads to 
  + all who **love** it
+ The more we love, cling to, **rejoice**
  + **gathering** to worship God
+ The more God's **safety** / calm
  + spreads through daily lives

---

<div class="imgbox fulltext fade">
<div>
<h4>Purpose</h4>

I was glad when they said to me,<br>
    “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”

Our feet have been standing <br/>
    within your gates, O Jerusalem!

Jerusalem — built as a city <br/>
    that is bound firmly together,

to which the tribes go up, <br/>
    the tribes of the Lord,

as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks <br/>
    to the name of the Lord.

There thrones for judgment were set, <br/>
    the thrones of the house of David.

</div>
<div>
<h4>Prayer</h4>

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! <br/>
    “May they be secure who love you!

<div class="hl">
Peace be within your <b>walls</b> <br/>
    and security within your <b>towers</b>!”
</div>

For my brothers and companions' sake <br/>
    I will say, “Peace be within you!”

For the sake of <br/>
    the house of the Lord our God, <br/>
    I will seek your good.

<div class="ref">Psalm 122 (ESV)</div>

</div>
</div>

>>>
+ 6+7 **couplet**
+ **walls** + **towers** (citadels):
  + **stronghold**, defense
  + protect from external threats
+ **Security** of church comes from
  + God's **judgments**
  + and our **obedience** to them:
+ Same pair wall + tower in **Ps48**:

---

Let the daughters of Judah **rejoice** <br/>
    because of your **judgments**!

Consider well [Zion's] **ramparts**, <br/>
go through her **citadels**,

that you may tell the **next generation** <br/>
that this is **God**, our God forever and ever. <br/>
He will **guide** us forever.

[Psalm 48:11,13-14 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Dan Edwards](https://unsplash.com/photos/cgPxN5Y27pA "caption")

>>>
+ Guide: must **yield** to His judgment
+ What God deems **bad**, we reject
  + Who God **accepts**, we accept
+ Church needs to be **safe** place
  + Follow God's std of **justice**
+ Where there is **sin**
  + even (esp!) from **leader**, pastor
+ Must **call** it out as sin
  + Covering up is **sharing** in sin

---

<div class="imgbox fulltext fade">
<div>
<h4>Purpose</h4>

I was glad when they said to me,<br>
    “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”

Our feet have been standing <br/>
    within your gates, O Jerusalem!

Jerusalem — built as a city <br/>
    that is bound firmly together,

to which the tribes go up, <br/>
    the tribes of the Lord,

as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks <br/>
    to the name of the Lord.

There thrones for judgment were set, <br/>
    the thrones of the house of David.

</div>
<div>
<h4>Prayer</h4>

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! <br/>
    “May they be secure who love you!

Peace be within your walls <br/>
    and security within your towers!”

<div class="hl">
For my <b>brothers</b> and companions' sake <br/>
    I will say, “Peace be within you!”

For the sake of <br/>
    the <b>house of the Lord</b> our God, <br/>
    I will seek your <b>good</b>.
</div>

<div class="ref">Psalm 122 (ESV)</div>

</div>
</div>

>>>
+ Last couplet, v8-9
+ We're all **bro+sis** in Christ
+ But often bring **dysfunction**
  + from **natural** families
  + into family of **God**
+ "kids, be **quiet** --"
  + "making **me** look bad"
+ save face, project **image** holiness
+ When I am **wrong**: angry, proud
  + deny, attack, reverse victim/off
+ And we do the **same** in church
  + to "keep good **testimony**"
+ When I **sin**, it's **obvious**
  + to everyone but **me**
+ For sake of my **bro** + companions
  + For sake of **house** of our God
+ Seek what is **good**:
  + Not just **attendance**, budget 
+ But that **we** (church) do good
  + God **told** us what's good:

---

He has told you, O man, what is **good**; <br/>
and what does the Lord **require** of you

but to do **justice**, and to love **kindness**, <br/>
and to walk **humbly** with your God?

[Micah 6:8 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Klaus Andersen](https://unsplash.com/photos/YK4N8hd4OL8 "caption")

>>>
+ Strive to act **justly** as God does
  + His **std** of right + wrong
+ Enjoy showing **mercy** to others
  + Not bc **have to**
  + but bc **want to**
  + be like **Christ**
+ With a **humble** heart,
  + keep in **step** with the Spirit
  + **draw near** to seek His face

---

I saw the holy city, **new Jerusalem**, <br/>
coming down out of heaven from God, <br/>
prepared as a **bride** adorned for her husband.

Behold, the **dwelling place** of God is <br/>
with man. He will dwell with them, <br/>
and they will be **his people**, <br/>
and God himself will be with them as **their God**.

[Revelation 21:2,3 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Ju On](https://unsplash.com/photos/e6XsI7qqvAA "caption")

>>>
+ Christ **himself** is preparing
  + his **bride**
+ Redemption of:
  + chosen **nation** (true Isr)
  + holy **city** (new Jeru)
  + true **temple** (dwell)
+ **Keep** in step w/God's work

---

# What do I seek **for** the church?

>>>
+ What is my **prayer** for the church?
  + Earnest **desire**
+ Not just **wishful** dreaming, but
  + Follow up w/faithful **obedience**
+ What should I be **doing** to bring
  + God's **peace** + **security**
+ to all who love to worship God?

---

<div class="imgbox fulltext">
<div>
<h4>Purpose</h4>

I was **glad** when they said to me,<br>
    “Let us go to the **house of the Lord**!”

Our feet have been standing <br/>
    within your **gates**, O Jerusalem!

Jerusalem — built as a city <br/>
    that is **bound** firmly together,

to which the **tribes** go up, <br/>
    the tribes of the Lord,

as was **decreed** for Israel, to give **thanks** <br/>
    to the name of the Lord.

There **thrones** for **judgment** were set, <br/>
    the thrones of the **house of David**.

</div>
<div>
<h4>Prayer</h4>

Pray for the **peace** of Jerusalem! <br/>
    “May they be **secure** who love you!

Peace be within your **walls** <br/>
    and security within your **towers**!”

For my **brothers** and companions' sake <br/>
    I will **say**, “Peace be within you!”

For the sake of <br/>
    the **house of the Lord** our God, <br/>
    I will **seek** your good.

<div class="ref">Psalm 122 (ESV)</div>

</div>
</div>

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