Psalms 122:1

Context

Psalm 122¹

A song of ascents,² by David.

122:1 I was glad because³ they said to me,

“We will go to the Lord’s temple.”

Psalms 124:1

Context

Psalm 124⁴

A song of ascents,⁵ by David.

124:1 “If the Lord had not been on our side” –

let Israel say this! –

Psalms 133:1

Context

Psalm 133⁶

A song of ascents,⁷ by David.

133:1 Look! How good and how pleasant it is

when brothers live together!⁸

[122:1] ¹sn Psalm 122. The psalmist expresses his love for Jerusalem and promises to pray for the city’s security.

[122:1] ²sn The precise significance of this title, which appears in Pss 120-134, is unclear. Perhaps worshipers recited these psalms when they ascended the road to Jerusalem to celebrate annual religious festivals. For a discussion of their background see L. C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 (WBC), 219-21.

[122:1] ³tn Heb “in the ones saying to me.” After the verb שָׂמַח (samakh), the preposition בְּ (bet) usually introduces the reason for joy.

[124:1] ⁴sn Psalm 124. Israel acknowledges that the Lord delivered them from certain disaster.

[124:1] ⁵sn The precise significance of this title, which appears in Pss 120-134, is unclear. Perhaps worshipers recited these psalms when they ascended the road to Jerusalem to celebrate annual religious festivals. For a discussion of their background see L. C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 (WBC), 219-21.

[133:1] ⁶sn Psalm 133. The psalmist affirms the benefits of family unity.

[133:1] ⁷sn The precise significance of this title, which appears in Pss 120-134, is unclear. Perhaps worshipers recited these psalms when they ascended the road to Jerusalem to celebrate annual religious festivals. For a discussion of their background see L. C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 (WBC), 219-21.

[133:1] ⁸sn This statement refers to the extended family structure of ancient Israel, where brothers would often live in proximity to one another (Deut 25:5), giving the family greater social prominence and security. However, in its later application in the Israelite cult it probably envisions unity within the covenant community. See L. C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 (WBC), 212-15.