Psalms 122:1 «A Song of degrees of David. » I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. Ver. 1. _I was glad when they said unto me_] The flourish of religion is the chief joy of the good Christian. Hence the evangelical jubilee among the Protestant party. Gregory Nazian... [ Continue Reading ]
Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. Ver. 2. _Our feet shall stand within thy gates_] Where the ark (at times transported) was now fixed; this was their great joy, so should it be ours that the true religion is now settled among us, and that we are at a certainty. There was a time wh... [ Continue Reading ]
Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together: Ver. 3. _Jerusalem is builded as a city, &c._] None such for uniformity of buildings or unanimity of citizens. There is no such oneness in all the world as among true Christians; and this the very heathens observed and commended. As the curta... [ Continue Reading ]
Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD. Ver. 4. _Whither the tribes go up_] Thrice a year all the males appeared before the Lord in Sion; the females also, as many as would (as Hannah, the Virgin Mary, &c.), but they... [ Continue Reading ]
For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David. Ver. 5. _For there are set thrones of judgment_] These are the two chief praises of any place. 1. The exercise of God's sincere service. 2. The administration and execution of public justice.... [ Continue Reading ]
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Ver. 6. _Pray for the peace of Jerusalem_] Peace is a voluminous mercy, and must therefore be prayed for, peace both of conscience and of country. It is well with bees when they make a noise in the hive; but with men, when they are... [ Continue Reading ]
Peace be within thy walls, [and] prosperity within thy palaces. Ver. 7. _Peace be within thy walls_] David had no sooner admonished others of their duty, but himself beginneth to them, _Quod iussit et gessit._ what he ordered he accomplished.... [ Continue Reading ]
For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace [be] within thee. Ver. 8. For my brethren and companions' sakes] David was not all for himself (as the manner is in these last and loosest times), but, as one of a public spirit, he did - _toti genitum se credere genti._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good._ Ver. 9. _Because of the house of the Lord our God_] Where David's heart was, and wherein he held it a happiness to be but a doorkeeper, Psalms 84:10, so much endeared unto him was God's sincere service. O pass we into the likeness of... [ Continue Reading ]