Psalm 122–124

Psalm 122

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of David.

1 I was glad when they said to me,

“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

2 And now here we are,

standing inside your gates, O Jerusalem.

3 Jerusalem is a well-built city;

its seamless walls cannot be breached.

4 All the tribes of Israel—the Lord’s people—

make their pilgrimage here.

They come to give thanks to the name of the Lord,

as the law requires of Israel.

5 Here stand the thrones where judgment is given,

the thrones of the dynasty of David.

6 Pray for peace in Jerusalem.

May all who love this city prosper.

7 O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls

and prosperity in your palaces.

8 For the sake of my family and friends, I will say,

“May you have peace.”

9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,

I will seek what is best for you, O Jerusalem.

Psalm 123

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.

1 I lift my eyes to you,

O God, enthroned in heaven.

2 We keep looking to the Lord our God for his mercy,

just as servants keep their eyes on their master,

as a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal.

3 Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy,

for we have had our fill of contempt.

4 We have had more than our fill of the scoffing of the proud

and the contempt of the arrogant.

Psalm 124

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of David.

1 What if the Lord had not been on our side?

Let all Israel repeat:

2 What if the Lord had not been on our side

when people attacked us?

3 They would have swallowed us alive

in their burning anger.

4 The waters would have engulfed us;

a torrent would have overwhelmed us.

5 Yes, the raging waters of their fury

would have overwhelmed our very lives.

6 Praise the Lord,

who did not let their teeth tear us apart!

7 We escaped like a bird from a hunter’s trap.

The trap is broken, and we are free!

8 Our help is from the Lord,

who made heaven and earth.