Psalms of the Ascents: A Prayer for Jerusalem

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Psalm 122:1

I rejoiced with those who said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

(CSB)

Today is Independence Day in the United States of America.  On this day in 1776 the founders of the United States signed the Declaration of Independence (1), declaring the intent of the colonies to sever their ties with England over a list of ignored grievances.  While the Declaration declared independence, independence only came as a result of a bloody war.  Since that date the nation has grown to become a super power in the world and seen by many as a beacon of freedom.

Keeping this beacon lit has often required military engagement against enemies of the nation.  In addition, the nation takes seriously it’s responsibility as a world power, lending aide to freedom loving nations having their freedom threatened.  While some may view intervention in the affairs of other nations as meddling, many in the United States view it as a desire to share the spirit of the freedom declared in the Declaration of Independence signed on July 4, 1776 with others so they too can enjoy their God given freedoms.

In Psalm 122 the heading in my translation is a prayer for Jerusalem.  As one of the Psalms of the Ascents, this prayer was something pilgrims would recite while walking towards Jerusalem.  While most of us reading this will not make annual pilgrimages to Jerusalem, this psalm has application and serves as a reminder to pray for our nations, the Psalm reminds us to,

1)      Rejoice (Psalm 122:1-2) – The Apostle Paul urged the members of the church in Philippi to constantly rejoice in the Lord.  When reading Psalm 122, it helps to imagine throngs of people walking or riding to Jerusalem with wide smiles on their face in anticipation of being in the presence of the Lord.  This should be how we as disciples of Christ feel when going to church services.  Unfortunately, however, church can become part of our weekly routine, thus losing its joy.  I challenge everyone reading this to this next Sunday spend time with the Lord prior to attending church services and take the joy you experience from this time with the Lord with you. 

2)      Find unity in the Lord (Psalm 122:3-4) – God has uniquely made each person with one purpose, to worship and fellowship with God (Psalm 139:13-14).  While the uniqueness of our creation makes each one of us special, it also brings potential for disunity due to each of us being different.  In Psalm 122:3-4, the psalmist calls for unity in Jerusalem as the people go there during the feasts to worship.  This can only occur as each unique individual unites around a common purpose of worshiping and serving God.

3)      Place the Lord on the throne of our hearts (Psalm 122:5) – Sin is the result of us placing something other than God, usually our selfish interests, on the throne of our hearts.  For example, if you are working hard at a job eying a promotion and the promotion goes to someone else, you may feel anger at the situation.  While the Bible does say be angry in Ephesians 4:26 the verse also tells us not to sin in our anger.  If our anger over the loss of a promotion becomes thoughts or actions bringing harm to either the person receiving the promotion of our boss, it is sinful anger and indicative of the job or our career, and not God, being at the center of our lives.  With God at the center of one’s life they would resolve the situation by being angry at not realizing God had other plans for their life. 

4)      Pray for peace (Psalm 122:6-7) – Matthew 5:9 reminds us that peacemakers are known as the sons of God.  The greatest peace any person can experience is the peace that comes from a restored relationship with God their creator.  While God makes us unique to worship and have fellowship with God, the sin of Adam and Eve has severed that relationship.  The result was a loss of the peace that only comes from a relationship with the creator God.  God’s people must therefore pray for peace, not just for our nations, but for each individual by praying they restore their relationship with God by accepting Jesus as their savior. 

5)      Pray for good for our brothers and sisters and fellow citizens (Psalm 122:8-9) – For our brothers and sisters that know Jesus as their savior, we must pray that they will grow stronger in their knowledge of God’s Word, live empowered by the Holy Spirit, and serve God in whatever capacity God leads them.  For those that do not know Jesus as their savior, pray that God will send a messenger of the Gospel to them or open a door for you to share Christ with them for this is the greatest good anyone can do for another. 

If you are reading this and have never accepted Jesus as your savior and experienced a restored relationship with God your creator, I invite you to do so now by praying with me,

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, was buried, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

Congratulations for this is now your independence day for you are no longer under the tyranny of your sins but have perfect liberty for the Spirit of the Lord now lives in your heart (John 14:17, 2 Corinthians 3:17).  However, just as nations must fight for and protect their liberty, Christians have an enemy that will attempt to hinder their new and restored relationship with God.  Ephesians 6:10-20 describes this spiritual warfare instructing us about our weapons to fight this different type of war.  It is also important to find a church that teaches the Bible for training in fighting this war and leading others to Christ. 

Happy Independence Day everyone and may God richly bless everyone reading this. 

1. ushistory.org. The Declaration of Independence. www.ushistory.org. [Online] [Cited: October 30, 2016.] http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/.