Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem
A song of ascents. Of David.
“I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.” Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is built up as a city united together, where the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, as a testimony for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD. For there the thrones of judgment stand, the thrones of the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you prosper. May there be peace within your walls, and prosperity inside your fortresses.” For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.” For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity.”
Why are these psalms called “songs of ascents?” Jerusalem is on Mount Zion; while not exactly a mountain, Jerusalem is certainly higher than much of the land around it, although you can look eastward across the Kidron Valley to the Mount of Olives and southward to the Herodion, Herod’s palace on a small mountain. So pilgrims going to Jerusalem would have to climb upward to reach the city gates.
“I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.” Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem.” You can imagine that this psalm would be sung once the pilgrims have reached Jerusalem. After weary days on the road in the heat and the dust, struggling for food and water and looking out for roaming bandits, now the travelers have made it and are safe.
“Jerusalem is built up as a city united together, where the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, as a testimony for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD. For there the thrones of judgment stand, the thrones of the house of David.” God ordained Jerusalem to be the center of worship, and men were ordered to present themselves in Jerusalem at least three times a year. When Jeroboam rebelled against King Rehoboam, the son of King Solomon, Jeroboam was afraid that people would continue to go to Jerusalem to worship, undermining his authority. So Jeroboam created his own religion with two gigantic altars and golden calves. Then Jeroboam told his people, “It’s too difficult for you to have to travel all that long distance to Jerusalem. Come worship at my altars; it’s much easier.”
God had promised Jeroboam that if Jeroboam would honor Him, God would establish his family as a dynasty. By establishing his own religion, Jeroboam guaranteed that his line would be a short one. Jeroboam rebelled against God and paid for it.
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you prosper. May there be peace within your walls, and prosperity inside your fortresses.” For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.” For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity.” Recently there has been a great deal of antisemitic propaganda internationally, even though Hamas attacked a peaceful Israeli music festival and then used innocent civilians as human shields. But neither the actions of Hamas nor of the current Israeli government can cancel God’s promises or His commands. God orders us to continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and promises that those who love Jerusalem will have peace and prosperity. Some translations for the final verse say, “For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.”
There are many commands in the Bible. While we might want to pick and choose, God is serious about commanding us to pray for Jerusalem. Those who love Israel and pray for her to become everything God wants for her to be will be rewarded by God. Let’s pray.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, we do pray for the peace of Jerusalem, of Israel, and for peace in the Middle East. Raise up righteous leaders who will protect people rather than hiding behind them. Cause revival to come to the entire Middle East. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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