Seventh-day Adventist Bible CommentaryPsalms 122

I was glad. The psalmist rejoiced at the opportunity of joining others for the journey to worship at Jerusalem. There is joy in worshiping in the society of kindred spirits.

Our feet shall stand. Or, “our feet were standing,” as if stated in retrospect. The psalmist had undoubtedly been blessed by his past visits to the Holy City, and in the light of these he anticipated with holy joy another opportunity to worship there.

Compact. Heb. chabar, “to be united,” “to be joined with”; the corresponding Hebrew noun, chaber, means “companion” or “fellow.” Some see in this an allusion to the gathering of God’s people for spiritual fellowship. The idea of fellowship is more definitely expressed in the LXX, which here may be translated, “Jerusalem is built as a city, whose fellowship [Gk. metoche] is together.”

Testimony. In the sense of an institution ordained by God (see Deut. 16:16; cf. Ps. 81:3–5; see on Ps. 19:7). The clause reads literally, “a testimony for Israel, to give thanks to the name of Yahweh.” The words “unto the” before “testimony” have been supplied.

Thrones of judgment. Jerusalem, as the seat of government, was the center of justice for the entire nation. Had Israel’s kings ruled as God designed, their governments would have promoted and conserved mercy, righteousness, peace, joy, love. These are the qualities that come from the divine throne.

Jerusalem. The very name implied that the city should be a place of peace.

Peace. Compare 1 Sam. 25:6; Luke 10:5; John 20:19.

For my brethren. It was to the obvious advantage of all Israel that there should be peace in Jerusalem. Verses 8, 9 lay down two great principles that should actuate every Christian: (1) love for the brethren, (2) love for the church. Those who love God will love the brethren of whom God’s church is composed.