Psalms 122

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

A Song of Ascents. By David. I was glad when they said to me, “Let’s go to the LORD’s house!”

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

Our feet are standing within your gates, Jerusalem!

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

Jerusalem is built as a city that is compact together,

4 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.

where the tribes go up, even the LORD’s tribes, according to an ordinance for Israel, to give thanks to the LORD’s name.

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

For there are set thrones for judgment, the thrones of David’s house.

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

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Those who love you will prosper.

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

Peace be within your walls, and prosperity within your palaces.

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

For my brothers’ and companions’ sakes, I will now say, “Peace be within you.”

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

For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good.