Psalms 122
What Happens in This Chapter
Psalm 122 is a song for people walking up to Jerusalem to worship. The singer is happy to arrive and stand inside the city gates. He describes Jerusalem as the place where the tribes of Israel come to thank God, and where kings from David's family judged the people. He asks everyone to pray that the city will have peace.
Plain reading written for kids. Short sentences, everyday words, one idea at a time.
I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
1I was happy when people said to me, "Let us go to the LORD's house."
"The house of the LORD" means the temple in Jerusalem. It was the special building where people came to worship God.
2Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.
2Now our feet are standing inside your gates, Jerusalem.
3Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:
3Jerusalem is built as a city packed closely together.
4Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.
4The tribes go up there. They are the family groups of Israel who belong to the LORD. God told them to go and thank him there.
5For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.
5Seats for judging are set up in that city. Kings from David's family sat there and decided what was fair.
6Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
6Pray that Jerusalem will have peace. May everyone who loves this city do well.
"Prosper" in the old wording means to do well and have enough, not just to get rich.
7Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.
7May there be peace inside your walls. May all be well inside your strong buildings.
8For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.
8For my brothers and my friends, I will say this: "May you have peace."
9Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.
9The house of the LORD our God is here. So I will work for this city's good.
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