Joy Among God’s People .
We continue through the Psalms of Ascents (120-134), the psalms that the Israelites would recite on their journey from their homes to worship God with His people at the three great feasts of Israel (Deut 16:16). The pilgrims have been protected by God on their dangerous journey (Ps 121) and have now reached the city of Jerusalem. In this psalm we can see the Pilgrim’s Joy, the Pilgrim’s Praise, and the Pilgrims’s Prayer.
David is glad when he sees His fellow believers and they invite him to go in together to worship the Lord (1). The psalmist has eager joy in worshipping the Lord with the people of God. They have arrived safely and now stand at the gates of Jerusalem (2). Brethren, our hearts should likewise be glad when we have the great privilege of gathering together with our fellow believers in worship of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The psalmist continues with public praise to God for His goodness in His law and order. Jerusalem is ordered to receive the people, the tribes of Israel are commanded to come and worship corporately, and God has given the government of Israel (3-5). Brethren, the church is commanded to gather together and worship the Lord with His body, the Church.
David continues with a prayer for the people (6-9). His desire is that the people would experience peace and prosperity (6-7). His prayer is accord with God’s word (Deut 27-29), for an obedient Israel is a blessed realm of peace and prosperity. Truly it is God that gives peace to His people, both internally through faith in Christ, and externally according to His will. David desires that the people of God would have peace so that they can worship the Lord and give God the honour He deserves (9).