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 137:6

Context

137:6 May my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth,

if I do not remember you,

and do not give Jerusalem priority

over whatever gives me the most joy.⁴

[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.

[137:6] ⁴tn Heb “if I do not lift up Jerusalem over the top of my joy.”