A song of ascents, 2 by David.
122:1 I was glad because 3 they said to me,
“We will go to the Lord’s temple.”
122:9 For the sake of the temple of the Lord our God
I will pray for you to prosper. 4
1 sn Psalm 122. The psalmist expresses his love for Jerusalem and promises to pray for the city’s security.
2 sn The precise significance of this title, which appears in Pss 120-134, is unclear. Perhaps worshipers recited these psalms when they ascended the road to Jerusalem to celebrate annual religious festivals. For a discussion of their background see L. C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 (WBC), 219-21.
3 tn Heb “in the ones saying to me.” After the verb שָׂמַח (samakh), the preposition בְּ (bet) usually introduces the reason for joy.
4 tn Heb “I will seek good for you.” The psalmist will seek Jerusalem’s “good” through prayer.