Psalm 122–123

Psalm 122

A PRAYER FOR JERUSALEM

A song of ascents. Of David.

1 I rejoiced with those who said to me,

“Let’s go to the house of the Lord.”k

2 Our feet were standing

within your gates, Jerusaleml—

3 Jerusalem, built as a city should be,

solidly united,m

4 where the tribes, the Lord’s tribes, go up

to give thanks to the name of the Lord.n

(This is an ordinance for Israel.o)

5 There, thrones for judgment are placed,

thrones of the house of David.p

6 Pray for the well-beingA of Jerusalem:

“May those who love you be secure;q

7 may there be peace within your walls,

security within your fortresses.”r

8 Because of my brothers and friends,

I will say, “May peace be in you.”B,s

9 Because of the house of the Lord our God,

I will pursue your prosperity.t

Psalm 123

LOOKING FOR GOD’S FAVOR

A song of ascents.

1 I lift my eyes to you,

the one enthroned in heaven.u

2 Like a servant’s eyes on his master’s hand,

like a servant girl’s eyes on her mistress’s hand,

so our eyes are on the Lord our God

until he shows us favor.v

3 Show us favor, Lord, show us favor,

for we’ve had more than enough contempt.w

4 We’ve had more than enough

scorn from the arrogant

and contempt from the proud.x