A Prayer For Jerusalem

INTRO

This is the third Psalm of Ascent, people are coming from all over the country, and ascending to Jerusalem; they had to do this three times a year (Exodus 23:13-17). Why Jerusalem (Zion)? Psalm 132:13-14 says because the LORD has chosen it and desired it for His home.

TEACHING

Psal 122:1-2: Wiersbe summarizes the first two verses as having “a heart for God.”¹ Constable wrote that these verses show David’s “joyful anticipation of worship.”² “The house of the Lord” referred to the tabernacle of the Lord that had been permanently placed there. It was David’s habit to go into God’s presence to worship (2 Samuel 12:20). David was aware there were some people who could not go to God’s house because of physical reasons and because of national exile (Psalm 42:1–3; 137:1–3). From personal experience, I can tell you that, as you arrive in Israel and approach Jerusalem, it feels like God’s presence is stronger. David rejoiced because he could worship God in His dwelling place—he could stand within the gates of Jerusalem (v. 2). Nelson’s Commentarypoints out, “There is an almost childlike enthusiasm in these words; a sense of near unreality pervades the mood.”³

If you do not have a heart for Israel, ask the Lord to give you one. We are the Gentiles who Paul referred to in Romans 15:27: “Yes, they were pleased, and indeed are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual benefits, then they are obligated to minister to Jews in material needs.” We are obligated to take care of the Jews because we have received salvation through Jesus Christ, who was a Jew.

Psalm 122:3–5: Wiersbe summarizes verses 3–5 as having “a heart for praise.”⁴ Verse 3 describes Jerusalem as a city “solidly joined together.” David captured the city of Jebu from the Jebusites in battle, took possession, and strengthened the walls and the defenses. David then renamed it Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:6–10). The city became the place where the 12 tribes were commanded to go and make a public declaration of thanks to God three times a year (v. 4). Nelson’s Commentarydescribes these times as, “The people of God would praise God for His goodness in their own lives. Their vocal praises would accompany their offerings of animals, grain, wine, and oil.”⁵ Jerusalem was the hub of the people for worship and where “civil judgments and decisions were made” that “closely intertwines in the Law of God”⁶ (v. 5). Today, nations battle for Jerusalem and the land of Israel.

Psalm 122:6–9: Wiersbe summarizes verses 6–9 as having “a heart for prayer.”⁷ Verses 6–7 record David’s prayer for Jerusalem: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May those who love you prosper; may there be peace within your walls, prosperity within your fortresses.’” That prayer still stands today, as the world’s nations want control over the city and the Temple Mount.

David’s prayer for peace was prophetic, as battle after battle took place in Jerusalem—the battle between Saul and David and his mighty men (2 Samuel 8), the Ammonite rebellion (2 Samuel 12:26-31), Absalom’s rebellion (2 Samuel 18), Sheba’s rebellion (2 Samuel 20), and when David avenged the Gibeonites. These were not all in Jerusalem but were around Jerusalem and were fought for control of Jerusalem. These battles were followed up by the battles between the divided Kingdom of Israel and Judah. The battle today is for Jerusalem; the battle between good and evil will be settled in Jerusalem.

Ironically, the name Jerusalem means “the city of peace,” but it has been fought over more than any other city in the world. Today, the fight goes on.

• 1947–1949: Israel’s fight for independence took place, and in 1948, they proclaimed their status as an independent nation.
• June 1967: The Six-Day War between Israel and Egypt, Jordan, and Syria took place. As a result, Israel took over Gaza and tripled their land holdings.
• 1967–1970: Israel was at war with Egypt over the Suez Canal.
• 1973: Egypt and Syria attacked Israel in the Yom Kippur War. Other Arab countries supported Egypt and Syria with money, weapons, and troops.
• 1978: Israel was attacked by the PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization); Israel responded by invading Lebanon.
• 1981–1982: Israel attacked the PLO headquarters in Lebanon and invaded Lebanon after an assassination attempt on Israel’s ambassador to Britain.
• 1987: Palestinian uprising against Israel took place.
• 2000: A second Palestinian uprising against Israel took place.
• 2006: Israel battled militants in Lebanon and Gaza.
• 2008–2009: Israel fought against Hamas.
• 2012: Israel fought against Hamas.

CLOSING

David prayed for the peace of Jerusalem. It’s like Genesis 12:3 where God said: “I will bless those who bless you.” Our phrase for the book of Psalms is King of Glory. We believe that, throughout the psalms, the words point to the coming Messiah. The Prince of Peace will come to Jerusalem (Isaiah 9:6). How do we know we can trust Jesus as the Prince of Peace?

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful” (John 14:27).

“And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).

“And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).

“Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).

May God give you a heart for the city of Jerusalem!