Psalm 122



Bible Reading - Psalm 122

If Psalm 120 is a song of departure, this is a song of arrival! The pilgrim recalls his gladness when his companions invited him to come to Jerusalem to worship with them, and now he celebrates that the long journey is over and they have arrived! He marvels at the beauty of the city and prays for the peace and the unity which exist there to continue and to increase.

This psalm is a reminder of the great joy, blessing, and gift that is corporate worship. The psalmist cannot contain his joy and wonder at having arrived in the city where God dwells among His people, at having arrived to worship the Lord! There is a peculiar beauty, glory, and hopefulness when God’s people gather together to worship Him.

If this was true of the nation of Israel, how much more is it true of the church! There is a very real glory which is so easy to miss when we gather together in the name of Jesus to give Him praise! The Lord is present with us in a special way when we come together to worship.

The psalm makes it clear that we are to pray for the peace of God’s dwelling place, both for the sake of God’s presence and glory and for the sake of our fellow believers (v.8-9). During this season of not being able to gather together, let us not neglect to pray for our church. Let us earnestly desire to meet together face-to-face again, and let us seek each other’s good for the sake of the Lord!

ON THE COUCH WITH GOD

What are some ways you can be praying for the church in general or for specific people within the church right now? How can you be someone who seeks the good of your brothers and sisters in Christ during this time?


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