120: Deliver Me, Oh LORD
121: My Help Comes
From the LORD
**122: Peace of Jerusalem**
123: Have Mercy Upon Us
*124: The LORD On Our Side*
125: The LORD Surrounds
His People
126: Restore Our Fortunes
*127: Unless the LORD Builds*
128: He Who Fears the LORD
129: Afflicted, but not
Prevailed Against
130: My Soul Waits for the LORD
*131: Quieted My Soul*
132: The Face of
Your Anointed One
*133: When Brothers
Dwell in Unity*
134: Come Bless the LORD
[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)
---
Purpose
I was **glad** when they said to me,
“Let us go to the **house of the Lord**!”
Our feet have been standing
within your **gates**, O Jerusalem!
Jerusalem — built as a city
that is **bound** firmly together,
to which the **tribes** go up,
the tribes of the Lord,
as was **decreed** for Israel, to give **thanks**
to the name of the Lord.
There **thrones** for **judgment** were set,
the thrones of the **house of David**.
Prayer
Pray for the **peace** of Jerusalem!
“May they be **secure** who love you!
Peace be within your **walls**
and security within your **towers**!”
For my **brothers** and companions' sake
I will **say**, “Peace be within you!”
For the sake of
the **house of the Lord** our God,
I will **seek** your good.
Psalm 122 (ESV)
>>>
+ 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**
---
Purpose
I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
Our feet have been standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem!
Jerusalem — built as a city
that is bound firmly together,
to which the tribes go up,
the tribes of the Lord,
as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks
to the name of the Lord.
There thrones for judgment were set,
the thrones of the house of David.
Prayer
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
“May they be secure who love you!
Peace be within your walls
and security within your towers!”
For my brothers and companions' sake
I will say, “Peace be within you!”
For the sake of
the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.
Psalm 122 (ESV)
>>>
+ 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**
Purpose
I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
Our feet have been standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem!
Jerusalem — built as a city
that is bound firmly together,
to which the tribes go up,
the tribes of the Lord,
as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks
to the name of the Lord.
There thrones for judgment were set,
the thrones of the house of David.
Prayer
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
“May they be secure who love you!
Peace be within your walls
and security within your towers!”
For my brothers and companions' sake
I will say, “Peace be within you!”
For the sake of
the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.
Psalm 122 (ESV)
>>>
+ 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**,
Purpose
I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
Our feet have been standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem!
Jerusalem — built as a city
that is bound firmly together,
to which the tribes go up,
the tribes of the Lord,
as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks
to the name of the Lord.
There thrones for judgment were set,
the thrones of the house of David.
Prayer
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
“May they be secure who love you!
Peace be within your walls
and security within your towers!”
For my brothers and companions' sake
I will say, “Peace be within you!”
For the sake of
the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.
Psalm 122 (ESV)
>>>
+ **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,
Purpose
I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
Our feet have been standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem!
Jerusalem — built as a city
that is bound firmly together,
to which the tribes go up,
the tribes of the Lord,
as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks
to the name of the Lord.
There thrones for judgment were set,
the thrones of the house of David.
Prayer
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
“May they be secure who love you!
Peace be within your walls
and security within your towers!”
For my brothers and companions' sake
I will say, “Peace be within you!”
For the sake of
the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.
Psalm 122 (ESV)
>>>
+ "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
Purpose
I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
Our feet have been standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem!
Jerusalem — built as a city
that is bound firmly together,
to which the tribes go up,
the tribes of the Lord,
as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks
to the name of the Lord.
There thrones for judgment were set,
the thrones of the house of David.
Prayer
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
“May they be secure who love you!
Peace be within your walls
and security within your towers!”
For my brothers and companions' sake
I will say, “Peace be within you!”
For the sake of
the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.
Psalm 122 (ESV)
>>>
+ **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
Purpose
I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
Our feet have been standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem!
Jerusalem — built as a city
that is bound firmly together,
to which the tribes go up,
the tribes of the Lord,
as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks
to the name of the Lord.
There thrones for judgment were set,
the thrones of the house of David.
Prayer
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
“May they be secure who love you!
Peace be within your walls
and security within your towers!”
For my brothers and companions' sake
I will say, “Peace be within you!”
For the sake of
the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.
Psalm 122 (ESV)
>>>
+ 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**
Purpose
I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
Our feet have been standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem!
Jerusalem — built as a city
that is bound firmly together,
to which the tribes go up,
the tribes of the Lord,
as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks
to the name of the Lord.
There thrones for judgment were set,
the thrones of the house of David.
Prayer
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
“May they be secure who love you!
Peace be within your walls
and security within your towers!”
For my brothers and companions' sake
I will say, “Peace be within you!”
For the sake of
the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.
Psalm 122 (ESV)
>>>
+ 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
---
Purpose
I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
Our feet have been standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem!
Jerusalem — built as a city
that is bound firmly together,
to which the tribes go up,
the tribes of the Lord,
as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks
to the name of the Lord.
There thrones for judgment were set,
the thrones of the house of David.
Prayer
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
“May they be secure who love you!
Peace be within your walls
and security within your towers!”
For my brothers and companions' sake
I will say, “Peace be within you!”
For the sake of
the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.
Psalm 122 (ESV)
>>>
+ 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**
Purpose
I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
Our feet have been standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem!
Jerusalem — built as a city
that is bound firmly together,
to which the tribes go up,
the tribes of the Lord,
as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks
to the name of the Lord.
There thrones for judgment were set,
the thrones of the house of David.
Prayer
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
“May they be secure who love you!
Peace be within your walls
and security within your towers!”
For my brothers and companions' sake
I will say, “Peace be within you!”
For the sake of
the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.
Psalm 122 (ESV)
>>>
+ 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**;
Purpose
I was **glad** when they said to me,
“Let us go to the **house of the Lord**!”
Our feet have been standing
within your **gates**, O Jerusalem!
Jerusalem — built as a city
that is **bound** firmly together,
to which the **tribes** go up,
the tribes of the Lord,
as was **decreed** for Israel, to give **thanks**
to the name of the Lord.
There **thrones** for **judgment** were set,
the thrones of the **house of David**.
Prayer
Pray for the **peace** of Jerusalem!
“May they be **secure** who love you!
Peace be within your **walls**
and security within your **towers**!”
For my **brothers** and companions' sake
I will **say**, “Peace be within you!”
For the sake of
the **house of the Lord** our God,
I will **seek** your good.
Psalm 122 (ESV)
---