Matthew Poole and continuators on Psalms 122:4

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.