Psalm 122
I rejoiced with those who said to me, * "We will enter the house of Yahweh!"
My feet were standing * within the gates of Jerusalem,Jerusalem which was built as his city, * which was finished by him alone.
There the tribes go up, * the tribes of Yah.It is a requirement, Israel, * to give thanks to Yahweh's name,
because there they sat * on thrones of judgment, * on thrones of the house of David.May they pray for your peace, Jerusalem; * may they prosper who love you!
Let there be peace within your walls, * prosperity within your citadels.For the sake of my brothers and friends * I pronounce, "Peace be within you."
For the sake of the house of Yahweh our God * I will seek your good.
1. A gradual canticle.
122:0 This is Psalm 122 in the whole Psalter, the 22nd of the third part, and the 3rd of the Gradual Psalms. After showing that he came to the point of having confidence in the saints and God their maker, he now shows that he has gone higher, so as to rejoice and exult because of this confidence. For the soul that wants to recede from evil first bemoans the misery in which it is (Ps 120). Then it trusts in the merits of the saints and in God, lifting its eyes to them (Ps 121). Thirdly, having conceived a hope of salvation and of coming to life, it rejoices and lifts its eyes to eternal goods. This Psalm is about this step. And the title does not change in words or in substance, but the word "song/canticle" applies more especially to this Psalm, since it openly considers spiritual joy.
The Psalm has two parts: (1) He affirms his joy at the hope of reaching the heavenly Jerusalem. (2) Addressing the elders, he wishes the citizens an abundance of peace, and this he does out of charity: "May they pray". In the first, (1) he affirms the joy of his own heart, (2) he gives the reason for his joy: "with those who said to me", (3) he certifies the reason: "There the tribes go up".
I rejoiced at the things that were said to me: We shall go into the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced with those who said to me, "We will enter the house of Yahweh!"122:1.1 The idea is: I lifted my eyes to the mountains and relied entirely on the Lord for help. Then I rejoiced in my heart —1 Sam 2:1 My heart exults in Yahweh. For hope generates joy and gladness in the heart. —Rom 12:12 Rejoice in your hope.
He then gives two reasons for his joy: (1) the greatness of what he heard, (2) its efficacy or power: "My feet were standing". In the first, (1) he states what he heard, as a general reason, (2) he gives details of what he heard: "We will enter the house". The idea is: I said that I rejoiced, and the reason is what was said to me by all the prophets and teachers, the holy Apostles, and others who spoke exteriorly to my bodily ears —Rom 10:17 Faith comes from hearing. —Mt 13:9 He who has ears to hear, let him hear. I am not among those complained about in Is 53:1 Who has believed what we have heard, and to whom has the arm of Yahweh been revealed?
He then specifies what he heard: that we will enter the house of Yahweh. It is (1) happy and most spacious —Bar 3:24 Israel, how great is the house of God! And how vast the territory that he possesses! (2) secure and peaceful —Is 35:9 No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there. —Is 32:18 My people will abide in a peaceful habitation. (3) rich and supplied with every good thing —Is 32:18 in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places. There we will go, not with the steps of our bodily feet, but of holy and spiritual affections. —Ps 126:6 Weeping he went forth. That is the way the holy animals went in Ez 1:14 They went and came back. So Paul urges us not just to walk, but to run —1 Cor 9:24 Run that you may obtain it.
2. Our feet were standing in thy courts, O Jerusalem.
My feet were standing within the gates of Jerusalem,122:1.2.1 Here he shows the fruit and efficacy of what he heard. This is lifting the will to eternal things, so that it leaves lower things behind. So (1) he tells of the lifting of affections to the eternal Jerusalem, (2) he gives a description of Jerusalem, to express better his reason for joy: "Jerusalem which was built". In the first there is (1) the lifting of the affections to eternal things, (2) their stability there: "My feet were standing". The idea is: I am happy [gavisus, not divisus] at what I heard, and when it was said, my feet, or interior affections —Jer 2:25 Do no go barefooted. —Ez 1:7 Their legs were straight — were standing within the gates, not in the outside atrium, but in the innermost parts of the house. Such were the feet of those in Phil 3:20 Our citizenship is in heaven. —Job 7:15 I chose suspense (? Vul).
And here my feet were standing firmly and stably erect (1) so as not to fall. —1 Cor 10:12 Anyone who thinks he stands should take heed not to fall. (2) that they may readily and willingly serve you, for servants are to stand —1 Kings 17:1 Long live Yahweh, the God of Israel, before whom I stand. (3) to fight strongly against the enemies, which are the world, the flesh and the devil —Ps 40:2 He set my feet on a rock. —Ps 31:8 You set my feet in a broad place (Vul). (4) to help others, if necessary, for helpers stand —Acts 7:55 Stephen saw Jesus standing, ready to help. —Gal 6:2 Bear one another's burdens. —Prov 18:19 A brother helped by a brother is like a strong city (Vul).
3. Jerusalem, which is built as a city, which is compact together.
Jerusalem which was built as his city, which was finished by him alone.122:1.2.2 Here, to give greater expression to his joy, he gives a description of that Jerusalem where his feet stood. The description covers (1) the union of the citizens, as in a material city, (2) their identity of ownership, since they all participate in the same thing: "which was finished". The idea is: What I heard is so strong that it makes our feet stand inside the gates of Jerusalem, not the earthly one, but that which is built in heaven from living stones. It is a city where the citizens are united under the same laws and a single King. —Ps 87:3 He who made perfect the glorious dwellings of Jacob speaks in you, city of God. —Rev 21:2 I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, which was built and founded in sapphires, that is, holy men. —Is 54:11 I will set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundations with sapphires. I will make your pinnacles of agate, your gates of carbuncles. For one goes in through the Apostles, who were heavenly, faithful and preachers of the faith. —Rev 21 The gates of Jerusalem were of sapphire and emerald.
The city was built so that ownership is not divided, with one person owning part, and another another, but the city is single, immutable and invariable, and all share in it. This is already the case of the Church militant, according to Acts 4:32 Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul, that is, knowing and willing one thing. How much more should this not be the case of the Church triumphant. This is the one thing asked for in Ps 27:4 One thing I asked a hundred times, this, Yahweh, I seek. And in Luke 10:42 One thing is necessary. This is what is always the same and truly existent —Ex 3:14 I am who am, who does not admit of non—being or being otherwise. —James 1:17 with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
4. For thither did the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord: the testimony of Israel, to praise the name of the Lord.
There the tribes go up, the tribes of Yah. It is a requirement, Israel, to give thanks to Yahweh's name,122:1.3.1 Here the reason for his joy is verified, from (1) the ascent of lesser people to that city, (2) more importantly, the arrangement of elders there: "because there they sat". In the first there is (1) the ascent of those people, (2) the purpose and reason for their ascent: "to give thanks". For the lesser people to ascend, there are two necessary conditions: (1) interior justice before God, (2) external justice shown and practiced towards their neighbors: "It is a requirement". The idea is: I said that I was happy because we were going to that heavenly Jerusalem. How do you know that you will go? How are you certain? Because there the tribes go up, not any tribes, but the tribes of Yah, which are just and holy before him. The word "tribes" refers to lesser people. —Job 3:19 The small and the great are there. These are the tribes which imitate one another. —Is 2:3 Come, let us go up the mountain of Yahweh. —Zech 14:16 They shall go up year after year to worship the King, Yahweh of armies.
The tribes of the Lord went up who are a testimony because of their good works. They are either in Israel, or are the true Israel. —Mt 7:16 By their fruits you will know them, that is, from their works, for every tree is known by its fruit. —John 10:25 The works which I do bear testimony to me. Or the phrase could mean: giving testimony to Israel about the goodness of God through their good works. —Mt 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
The purpose of their ascent is to give thanks to Yahweh's name, praising the Lord of that city. —Is 51:11 They will come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads. —Augustine: We will see, we will love, we will praise. This is the praise of Ps 42:4 amid shouts of thanksgiving.
5. Because their seats have sat in judgment, seats upon the house of David.
because there they sat on thrones of judgment, on thrones of the house of David.122:1.3.2 Here the certitude of entering Jerusalem is verified from the arrangement of the elders there. This is looked at (1) with reference to God, when they sit in judgment, and (2) with reference to the people being judged by them: "on thrones". The idea is: The elders are there, and I am sure of that because there in Jerusalem they sat on thrones of judgment, as judging with Christ —Mt 19:28 When the Son of Man shall sit on his glorious throne, you will sit. —Dan 7:9 Thrones were placed and one that was ancient of days took his seat. The thrones are the greater saints, on which God sits and through whom he judges. —Is 66:1 Heaven is my throne. —Wis 10:16 Wisdom entered the soul of a servant of the Lord.
The saints whom God appoints as judges are his thrones over the house of David, that is, over good, but imperfect people now at the judgment, whom they formerly were over as guardians. —Mt 24:45 Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? The arrangement is so that they may have more glory. —Luke 12:44 He will set him over all his possessions.
6. Pray ye for the things that are for the peace of Jerusalem: and abundance for them that love thee.
May they pray for your peace, Jerusalem; may they prosper who love you!122:2.1 After talking about his joy and the cause of his joy, because he is going to the house of the Lord, and is sure of that, turning to the judges, he prays that he may come to that eternal peace and abundance. (1) He warns the judges to do what is in their power; (2) he prays: "Let there be peace"; (3) he gives the reason for this prayer: "For the sake of my brothers". In the first, he strongly warns the judges to seek (1) what pertains to peace and leads to it, (2) what leads to abundance: "prosperity". The idea is: The elders will sit as judges to judge according to merits. Therefore, you who are thus seated, ask, investigate carefully and inquire after what leads to the peace of Jerusalem, that heavenly city. Consequently you can know for whom or against whom judgment must be given. —1 Cor 2:15 The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is judged by no one. For the saints who are to judge had a kind of inquisitory office, like judges. So, of the Lord it is said in Ps 11:6 The Lord examines the just and the wicked (Vul). That is the Gloss's interpretation.
Another interpretation is that the passage is addressed to all, with the idea: We will reach that heavenly Jerusalem if we have belonged to the earthly Jerusalem, and have been peaceful in it. Therefore, ask from God what can be of help to the Jerusalem which is still militant. —Jer 39:7 Promote the welfare of the city to which I have exiled you. —Tob 13:14 Happy all who love you, who rejoice in your prosperity. —Ezr 9:8 Your prayer to the Lord that there may be peace in every place (Albert).
Ask for the things that bring peace . Ask also, you judges, how there may be abundance, not for everyone, but for those who love you. And these are the works of mercy, for through them one comes to peace and eternal abundance. —Mt 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. This peace and abundance are hinted at in Is 32:18 My people shall abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings —thus peace, and in quiet resting places, thus abundance. Then you will see and overflow.
7. Let peace be in thy strength: and abundance in thy towers.
Let there be peace within your walls, prosperity within your citadels.122:2.2 Here he prays (1) that through love we may come to peace and it may be in us, (2) that there may be abundance: "prosperity". The idea is: You judges, ask by praying or inquiring, and I myself ask, O Lord, that there be peace in the present and in the future. On the two —John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. —Gregory: Here he leaves, there he gives. And let that peace be in your "virtue", that is, charity, for charity generates peace. —Gal 5:22 The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace. Love is put first, as the root of joy and peace. —Eph 4:3 Be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. The unity of the Spirit refers to charity, from which the bond of peace follows.
Secondly, I ask that there be peace through the same virtue of charity, and that through peace there may be so much prosperity within your citadels, that is, in your greater and higher people in heaven, that it may overflow to others. —Deut 33:23 Naphtali, be satisfied with favor. Naphtali means "he widened me" and stands for the more perfect, who are expanded with charity. These also are the towers —Cant 7:4 Your neck is like an ivory tower. —Is 5:2 He planted it with choice vines and built a tower in the middle. At the harvest they transfer this abundance to others, from whom they received material goods, says the Gloss.
8. For the sake of my brethren, and of my neighbours, I spoke peace of thee.
For the sake of my brothers and friends I pronounce, "Peace be within you."122:2.3.1 Here is the reason for the prayer or for preaching the good things of that heavenly Jerusalem. He states (1) the purpose of praying for or preaching its peace, (2) the abundance of that asking or preaching: "For the sake of the house". The idea is: I prayed for and preached the peace of the heavenly Jerusalem, and now, Jerusalem, I did that for the sake of my brothers, blood relatives and in—laws, and friends, the others in the city. Or "brothers" can refer to those joined to us by faith, and "friends" to those joined to us by charity, so that I may draw them to that peace by prayer and attract them by preaching, and that is very pleasing to God. —Is 52:7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the preacher of peace. That is what Jesus did —Eph 2:17 He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. It is very pleasing to God when it is done for brothers, because charity does not seek one's private good, but the good of others —1 Cor 13:5 Love does not look for its own interest. God wants us to have love that is for all and above all things. —Col 3:14 above all love, which is the bond of perfection.
9. Because of the house of the Lord our God, I have sought good things for thee.
For the sake of the house of Yahweh our God I will seek your good.122:2.3.2 I sought peace for others, and also, Jerusalem, I sought it by praying and preaching not for myself, but for the house of Yahweh our God. This is a loving search for your good, the good of (1) intellectual enlightenment and splendor —Bar 5:3 God will show your splendor everywhere under heaven. (2) consolation of your affection —Is 66:13—14 In Jerusalem you will be comforted. You will see, and your heart will rejoice. (3) the blessing of both the intellect and the affection —Tob 13:12—13 Blessed are all those who build you up. Go, then, rejoice over the children of the righteous, who shall all be gathered together and shall bless the Lord of the ages, who is the fount of all goodness. —Amos 5:14 Seek good, and not evil, that you may live. And seek me and you will find me. May God bring us to him, who is blessed for all ages. Amen.