Matthew Poole and continuators on Psalms 122

1 I Was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

Exhorting one another to it, as Deut. 33. 19. Or, we will go. The sence is, It delighted me much to hear that the people, who had so long lived in the neglect or contempt of Gods worship, were now ready and forward in it.

2 Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem .

Thither we shall come, and there we shall make our abode during the times of solemn worship.

In that City, where the Ark is now fixed. We shall wander no more from place to place as the Ark was removed.

Marginal references: Heb. were standing. So Gr.

3 Jerusalem is built as a city, that is compact together .

Partly in its buildings, which are not dispersed, as they are in Villages, nor divided into two Cities, as it was before, but united and enlarged, 1 Chron. 11. 7, 8. and principally in its Government and Religion, which was distinct and opposite before David took the Fort of Zion from the Iebusites.

Marginal references: See 2 Sam. 5. 9.

4 Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD , unto the testimony of Israel , to give thanks unto the name of the LORD .

Not some few pious people of each Tribe, as in Sauls time and under the Judges, but whole Tribes, nor onely one or two of the Tribes, as it was during the late Civil Wars, but all the twelve Tribes.

Whom God hath chosen to be his people, and whom he hath invited and required to resort thither.

Unto the Ark, which is oft called the Testimony, as Exod. 16. 34. Levit. 16. 13. & 24. 3. Numb. 17. 4. and more fully the Ark of the Testimony, as Exod. 26. 33, 34. and elsewhere, because of the Tables of the Covenant laid up in it, which are called Gods Testimony, and the Tables of the Testimony, as Exod. 25. 16. & 31. 18, &c. And this may well be called the Testimony of or to Israel, because it was given by God to them and for their good. Or, by or according to the Testimony of Israel, i. e. Gods command given to Israel, which may be alledged here as the reason which moved them to this journey.

To worship God, this one eminent part and action thereof being put for all the rest.

Marginal references: Exod. 23. 17. Deut. 16. 16.

5 For there are set thrones of judgment : the thrones of the house of David .

This is added as another reason inviting and obliging them to go up to Ierusalem, and as another commendation of this City.

The supreme Courts of Justice for Ecclesiastical, and especially for Civil affairs, as the next clause explains it.

The Royal Throne allotted by God to David and to his posterity for ever, and the inferior Seats of Justice established by and under his Authority. See 2 Chron. 19. 8, 9, 10.

Marginal references: Heb. Do sit.

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem : they shall prosper that love it.

In whose prosperity both your Civil and your Religious priviledges are deeply concerned.

Or, let them prosper, the future being taken imperatively, as is very frequent. The Lord grant them prosperity and all happiness.

7 Peace be within thy walls , and prosperity within thy palaces .

In all thy dwellings.

Especially in the Court and the dwellings of the Princes and Rulers, whose welfare is a publick blessing to all the people.

8 For my brethren and companions sakes , I will now say, Peace be within thee.

And this I desire not onely nor chiefly for my own security and for the glory of mine Empire, but for the sake of all my fellow-citizens and of all the Israelites, whom, though my Subjects, I must owne for my brethren and companions in the chief priviledges and blessings enjoyed at Ierusalem.

9 Because of the house of the LORD our God , I will seek thy good.

Which is now fixed in this City.

Marginal references: Neh. 2. 10.