---
title: "Clarke"
description: "In the preceding Psalms we find the poor captives crying to God for deliverance; here they are returning thanks that they find they are permitted to retur"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/psalms/122"
---

In the preceding Psalms we find the poor captives crying to God for deliverance; here they are returning thanks that they find they are permitted to return to their own land and to the ordinances of their God.
Verse [Psalms 122:1](../../../kjv/psalms/122/1). ***I was glad when they said*** — When Cyrus published an edict for their return, the very first object of their thanksgiving was the kindness of God in permitting them to return to his ordinances.

Verse [Psalms 122:2](../../../kjv/psalms/122/2). ***Our feet shall stand*** — For *seventy* years we have been exiled from our own land; our *heart* was in Jerusalem, but our *feet* were in Chaldea. Now God has turned our captivity, and our feet shall shortly stand *within the gates of Jerusalem*. What a transition from misery to happiness! and what a subject for rejoicing!

Verse [Psalms 122:3](../../../kjv/psalms/122/3). ***Jerusalem - compact together.*** — It is now well rebuilt, every part contributing to the strength of the whole. It is also a state of great political and spiritual union. It is the *centre* of union to all the tribes, for each tribe has an equal interest in that God who is worshipped there.

Verse [Psalms 122:4](../../../kjv/psalms/122/4). ***The testimony of Israel*** — There is the *ark*, where the presence of God is manifested; there is the holy of holies; and there all the tribes assembled to worship Jehovah. He no doubt alludes to the assembling of the tribes *annually* at each of the *three* grand national festivals.

Verse [Psalms 122:5](../../../kjv/psalms/122/5). ***There are set thrones of judgment*** — There were the *public courts*, and thither the people went to obtain justice; and while the *thrones of the house of David* were there, they had justice.

Verse [Psalms 122:6](../../../kjv/psalms/122/6). ***Pray for the peace of Jerusalem*** — שלום *shalom* signifies both *peace* and *prosperity*. Let her *unanimity* never be *disturbed*; let her *prosperity* ever be on the *increase*!
***They shall prosper that love thee.*** — In the peace and prosperity of the city, they shall find their peace and their prosperity; and even on this ground they should *love* the city, and labour to promote its best interests. There is a remarkable *alliteration* in this verse, the letter *shin* frequently recurring.

שאלו שלום ירושלם ישליו אהביך
*Sh*aalu *sh*elom yeru*sh*alam yi*sh*layu ohabeycha.

"Ask ye the prosperity of Jerusalem; they shall be
quiet that love thee."

There are remarkable specimens of similar *alliteration* to be found in *all poets*, ancient and modern. This formed the chief feature of our *ancient poetry*. Thus in *Peter the ploughman*: -
"In a *s*omer*s* *s*ey*s*oun whan *s*ete was the *s*onne
I *s*choop me in a *s*hrowde as I a *s*heep were."

And the same manner often appears, even in Milton himself. See the *Il Penseroso*: -
"Oft, on a plat of ri*s*ing ground,
I hear the *far-off curfew* *s*ound
Over *s*ome wide-watered *s*hore,
*S*winging *s*low with *s*ullen roar."

Verse [Psalms 122:7](../../../kjv/psalms/122/7). ***Peace be within thy walls*** — This is the *form of prayer* that they are to use: "May *prosperity* ever reside within thy walls, on all the people that dwell there; and tranquillity within thy palaces or high places, among the *rulers* and *governors* of the people."

Verse [Psalms 122:8](../../../kjv/psalms/122/8). ***For any brethren and companions' sakes*** — Because this city is the abode of my kinsfolk and countrymen, I will wish it prosperity. I will promote its peace and tranquillity by all means in my power. I will affectionately say, *May peace be within thee*!

Verse [Psalms 122:9](../../../kjv/psalms/122/9). ***Because of the house of the Lord our God*** — Particularly will I wish thee well, because thou art the *seat of religion*, the place where our merciful God has condescended to dwell.
To the captives in Babylon the Prophet *Jeremiah* had given this charge, [Jeremiah 29:7](../../../kjv/jeremiah/29/7): "And seek שלום *shalom*, the *prosperity* of the city, whither I have caused you to be carried captives, and pray unto the Lord for it; for in the *prosperity* thereof ye shall have *prosperity*."
Was this a *duty* for the *captives*? *Yes*. And is it the duty of every man for his *own country*? God, nature, common sense, and self-interest say, YES! And what must we think of the wretches who not only do not thus pray, but labour to destroy the public peace, to subvert the government of their country, to raise seditions, and to destroy all its civil and religious institutions? *Think* of them! Why, that *hemp* would be *disgraced* by hanging them.
There is a fine picture given us here of the state of Jerusalem after the restoration of the Jews. The *walls* were finished, the *city* rebuilt, beautiful, strong, and regular, the temple and its worship were restored, the *courts of justice* were re-established, the *constituted authorities* in *Church* and *state* were doing their duty; and God was pouring out his blessing upon all. Who could see this without praying, May God increase thy peace, and establish thy prosperity for ever!
The psalmist, in the person of the people, -
I. Expresses his joy that he might join with the Church in God's service, [Psalms 122:1-2](../../../kjv/psalms/122/1-2).
II. Commends the Church, under the name of Jerusalem, for her unity, [Psalms 122:3](../../../kjv/psalms/122/3); religious worship, [Psalms 122:4](../../../kjv/psalms/122/4); civil and ecclesiastical policy, [Psalms 122:5](../../../kjv/psalms/122/5).
III. Exhorts all to pray for its peace and prosperity, [Psalms 122:6](../../../kjv/psalms/122/6); and puts the form of prayer into their mouths, [Psalms 122:7](../../../kjv/psalms/122/7).
IV. Shows his own readiness to do this, and offers up his supplications, [Psalms 122:8-9](../../../kjv/psalms/122/8-9).
I. The psalmist congratulates himself and the people on the restoration of God's worship: -
1. He expresses his own joy: "I was glad."
2. To hear of the unanimity of the people mutually exhorting each other to it: "When they said unto me."
3. "Let us go into the house of the Lord." Let us *all* go, hear his word, give him thanks, and make prayers and supplications to him.
II. He commends Jerusalem *three* ways: -
1. For its *unity*: it was compact together; it was united in itself; and united, both in *politics* and *religion*, in its *inhabitants*.
2. For its being the *place of God's worship*: 1. For "thither the tribes go up" thrice in the year, as was ordained, [Exodus 23:14](../../../kjv/exodus/23/14), to celebrate their deliverance from Egypt, in keeping the *passover*. 2. The giving of the law, in the feast of *pentecost*. 3. Their preservation in the wilderness, in the feast of *tabernacles*.
These tribes are "the tribes of the Lord." A very honourable title.
"Unto the testimony of Israel." To the ark of the covenant, the pledge of the covenant between God and the people.
The *end* for which they went up: "To give thanks unto the name of the Lord."
3. He commends Jerusalem for its civil and ecclesiastical policy: 1. "For there are set thrones of judgment." The tribunals and courts of justice are there. 2. "The thrones of the house of David." The court and throne of a legitimate sovereign.
III. He exhorts the tribes to *pray for* a continuance of its present happy state.
1. "Pray for the peace," c. It is our duty to pray for the *prosperity* of the *nation* and of the *Church of God*.
2. "They shall prosper that love thee." Those who love both are *blessed*, those who do not are *cursed*.
3. And that we may know the prayer that God will hear, he puts one in our mouth, "Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces." It is well to join *peace* and *prosperity* together. *Peace* without *prosperity* is but a secure possession of *misery* and *prosperity* without *peace* is but a dubious and uncertain *felicity*.
1. "Peace be within thy walls." Not only thy *fortifications,* *civil and religious institutions*, but also among all thy *officers,* *soldiers*, and *inhabitants*, for they constitute the strength and safety of the kingdom.
2. "And prosperity within thy palaces." In the king's house, his family, his ministers; if there be dissensions there, ruin will soon follow.
IV. The psalmist shows his own readiness to do this.
1. "I will now say, Peace be within thee." So should all the ministers of religion pray.
2. "I will seek thy good." So should the king and every officer of state resolve. All should be united in so good a work. They should not seek *their own good*, but the *good*, not the *goods*, of *the people*.
For this the psalmist gives *these* reasons: -
1. "For my brethren and companions' sakes." We are not only subjects of one king, citizens of the same city, but we have all one God and Father.
2. "Because of the house of the Lord." For the maintenance of true religion. If *religion* fail, the *kingdom* will fail; prosperity will be at an end; the nation will be divided, distracted, destroyed. Religion, the true religion in a country, is the *consolation* of the *good*, and the *bridle* that holds in the jaws of the *wicked*. Let us all pray for the prosperity of pure and undefiled religion, and the prosperity of the state!

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