Psalms 122 - Introduction

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 122

A Song of degrees of David. This is the first of the songs of degrees that bears the name of David: and Kimchi thinks they only were written by him which have his name to them; though he, Abendana, and others, are of opinion that this psalm was composed with a view to the captives in Babylon; who are here represented, and are represented as rejoicing at their going up to Jerusalem, to the solemn feasts there. The inscription in the Syriac version is,

"a "psalm" of David, one of the psalms of ascent, when Cyrus commanded the captivity to go up; spiritually, a promise of good things.''

It seems to be designed for the use of the Israelites, and to be sung by them when they went up to the feasts, three times a year. Some say a they sung this by the way, when they carried the firstfruits to Jerusalem.

a Weemse's Christ. Synagog. l. 1. c. 6. s. 4. p. 144.