Psalms 122

1 I rejoiced at 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 thy courts, O Jerusalem.

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

3 Jerusalem, which is built as a city, which is compact together.

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

4 For thither did the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord: the testimony of Israel, to praise 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 Because their seats have sat in judgment, seats upon 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 Pray ye for the things that are for the peace of Jerusalem: and abundance for them that love thee.

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

7 Let peace be in thy strength: and abundance in thy 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 brethren, and of my neighbours, I spoke peace of thee.

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

9 Because of the house of the Lord our God, I have sought good things for thee.

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