Psalms 122 - Introduction

The home of the author of this Psalm was in the country, at a distance from Jerusalem. He recalls the joy with which he heard the invitation of his neighbours to join the company of pilgrims (Luke 2:44) going up to one of the great Feasts (Psalms 122:1). He describes the overwhelming impression made upon his mind by the sight of the city as they halted in its gates (Psalms 122:2), and by the recollections of its ancient glories as the religious and civil centre of the national life (Psalms 122:4). With a burst of heartfelt enthusiasm he bids men pray and prays himself for its future welfare (Psalms 122:6).

The Psalm may best be explained thus, as the meditation of a pilgrim who, after returning to the quiet of his home, reflects upon the happy memories of his pilgrimage. This is the most natural interpretation of the past tenses in Psalms 122:1, -I was glad" … -Our feet were standing." Many commentators, however, render -Our feet are standing," and regard the Psalm as uttered at the moment when the pilgrims have reached their goal.

The Heb. text, with which agree Cod. א of the LXX, Aq. and Symm., adds of Davidto the title: but it is omitted by other MSS of the LXX, by the Targ., and by Jer. The addition may have been suggested by Psalms 122:5; but the Psalm cannot have been written by David, for the Temple is standing, and the opening words are clearly those of one who has to travel to it from a distance; nor even in the time of the monarchy, for Psalms 122:4 appear to look back across the Exile to a distant past. Most probably it belongs to the time of Nehemiah, when the walls had been rebuilt, and means taken to provide the city with an adequate population. Psalms 122:6 ff. may perhaps be explained from Nehemiah 11:1 ff. [81]

[81] The use of the relative שׁ (sh) in this Psalm (Psalms 122:3) and in Psalms 124:1-2; Psalms 124:6; Psalms 129:6-7; Psalms 133:2-3; Psalms 135:2; Psalms 135:8; Psalms 135:10; Psalms 136:23; Psalms 137:8-9; Psalms 144:15; Psalms 146:3; Psalms 146:5, points to a late date, though "our imperfect knowledge of the history and usage of שׁ " makes the argument an uncertain one (see Driver, Lit. of O. T.6 p. 450): and the use of the participle and verb substantive as in Psalms 122:2 (-were standing" = עמדות היו), though not unknown in the earlier stages of the language, becomes common in later books, and is characteristic of Nehemiah.