Psalms 122

1 A Canticle in steps. I rejoiced in the things that were said to me: “We shall go into the house of the Lord.”

I was glad/happy when people said to me, “We should go to the temple of Yahweh [in Jerusalem]!”

2 Our feet were standing in your courts, O Jerusalem.

And now we are here, standing inside the gates/city of [APO] Jerusalem.

3 Jerusalem has been built as a city, whose participation is unto itself.

Jerusalem is a city that has been rebuilt, with the result that people can gather together in it.

4 For to that place, the tribes ascended, the tribes of the Lord: the testimony of Israel, to confess to the name of the Lord.

We [people of the] tribes of Israel who belong to Yahweh can now go up there as Yahweh commanded that we should do, and we can thank him.

5 For in that place, seats have sat down in judgment, seats above the house of David.

There the kings of Israel who were descendants of [King] David sit on their thrones and decide cases [fairly when the people have disputes].

6 Petition for the things that are for the peace of Jerusalem, and for abundance for those who love you.

Pray that there will be peace in Jerusalem; I desire that those who love Jerusalem will (prosper/live peacefully).

7 Let peace be in your virtue, and abundance in your towers.

I desire that there will be peace inside the walls of the city and that [people who are] inside the palaces will be safe.

8 For the sake of my brothers and my neighbors, I spoke peace about you.

For the sake of my relatives and friends, I say, “My desire is that that inside Jerusalem [people will live] peacefully.”

9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I sought good things for you.

And because I love the temple of Yahweh our God, I pray that things will go well for the people who live [in Jerusalem].