Text: Psalm 122
Theme: “Peace & Prosperity within your Homes”
Greetings: The Lord is good and His love endures forever!
Introduction:
Psalm 122 is one of fifteen psalms extending from Psalms 120-134, each of which is labelled “A Song of Ascents.” These pilgrimage songs sung by Israelites as they ascended up to Jerusalem. The terms “Jerusalem,” “Zion,” and “house of Yahweh” occur with great density and frequency in these fifteen psalms. This Psalm 122 uses the words such as Temple of the Lord (v.1), and Jerusalem(v. 2,6).
These Psalm are divided into five groups, each with three psalms. First of each group is a Psalm of distress and trouble (120,123,126, 129, 132). The second of each group is of trust and deliverance (121,124,127,130,133). The third of each group is of blessing, peace and prosperity of Jerusalem (122,125,128,131,134).
David authored four psalms in this series: 122,124,131, and 133. In this psalm, the Psalmist expressed his past life that he was glad to go to the temple of the Lord, then he addresses Jerusalem in two verses (2,6), and said that his feet stood on it. Then he admires architecture of the Jerusalem city (v.3). Then he advocated Jerusalem about the community celebration by the tribes (v.5). Thrones of justice in Jerusalem.
This month is a family month. We will emphasise the family relationship, love of partners, brotherly love, parental love, care of the parents, in laws, care of the grand parents.
The theme verse for this month is Psalm 122:7. “Peace and prosperity in thy walls and in thy palace.”
The peace and prosperity are the blessings of the followers of Christ. Peace and prosperity are properties of a person who does and performs certain spiritual activities: such as,
He prays for the wellbeing of the City, He seeks the wellbeing of Brothers sisters, and friends, and He seeks the wellbeing of God’s house.
1. Loves their City (v.6):
First spiritual quality is a love for the city. Jerusalem was a beautiful city, holy city and a royal city during the days of David. The psalmist marvels over the architecture of the city and palace. He specifying for us the walls, citadels, and closely compacted structure of the city. The civil interests of the people as well as their ecclesiastical concerns are expressed.
The Psalmists calls its inhabitants to pray for the welfare of Jerusalem. He recalls his association with the people of God. He says: “I was glad …!”. He was glad because his burdens might be lifted, restitutions were made, and justice was done.
Jerusalem is a place of refuge, safety, and sanctuary.
Nehemiah loved the city. Daniel loved the City. Exiled loved the city of Jerusalem. Jacob loved the Promise land. Joseph loved the Promised Land.
2. Loves their fellow citizens (v.8)
Secondly, such a person is is a Lover of brothers, sisters and Friends. The community living, the communion of saints are important to receive God’s blessings. It is for my brethren and companions' sakes, that is, for the sake of all true-hearted Israelites, whom I look upon as my brethren (1 Chronicles 28:2),
The story of wife of Lot was a story of community feeling, gratitude and affinity. A great modern theological thinker Samantha said, she looked back with love, compassion for her neighbours, friends who have often been her companions in the times of sickness, troubles and wants and needs. They were celebrating together good times and bad occasions.
David says they were his companions to worship of God, which has knit my heart to them. Jerusalem was a unifying symbol. Preform the well-being of the brothers and sisters, well being of the neighbors. If all are well, everything is well. If all are having a decent earning, decent living, then there would be wickedness, corruption and inhuman treatments. Well being of the city is the well-being of all.
3. Loves their Church (v.9):
David loved the tabernacle of Yahweh ( 2 Samuel 6-7, 1 kings 5:5, 1 Chronicles 15:1-17,27, 21:18-29:19).
He has a joyful worship and fellowship in the church as mentioned in Psalm 122:1-4. He loves the commandments, statues of the Lord. He observes them all. His house is filled with not only the joy but even Justice. He is a prayerful Person (v.6). One of the main ingredients of success in the church is internal peace. But strife, suspicion, party spirit, division, are the deadly things for restlessness.
We have our home, our work place, Rotary and Lions Clubs, Fitness centres, Entertainment parks, and then there is also the church. We “go” to each of these places on a weekly basis and the way we feel when we hop into the car to “go to church” does not feel particularly different to us than when we get into the car to “go to Planet Fitness” for a workout. Even architecturally some contemporary church buildings look far less like cathedrals of old and more like contemporary office complexes.
Christian prays that the church may prosper - that the divine blessing may rest upon it - that there may be in it harmony, peace, love, and zeal - that a blessing may attend the preaching of the gospel - not only because he loves it, and seeks his own comfort and edification in it, but that his friends and kindred - his wife, his parents, his children, his neighbours - those whom he loves, and whose salvation he desires, may be saved.
Amen, Amen.
