A song of ascents. Of David. (study notes: indicate can be by David, or in memory of David).
A song honoring Jerusalem, the city of God.
The Psalmist expresses great joy in going to the house of the Lord in Jerusalem for worship. After long travel, Jerusalem is in sight!
This is the city established by God as the place He is to be worshiped. David envisioned the Temple here, but Solomon built it. God's people were to come @ specified times for corporate, unified worship. It was also the city of political rule, where kings sat in judgement over the land.
The prayer is for peace........absence of war.......and unity. "The psalm promotes a sense of community among the people of God. Ultimately, Jerusalem is not bricks and mortar, but people in relationship with one another and with God" (RSB notes, verse 8).
After Christ came, the significance of Jerusalem changed. He now dwells in our hearts, and we can meet with Him anywhere. "Jerusalem represents all believers and it typifies the coming of New Jerusalem."
Once again.......I think of my own worship....though different than the context in which this psalm was written. How great is my joy in going to corporate worship? It is great, indeed, greater than ever before, but great enough? I imagine heaven......eternal worship. More and more I am longing for that.
And peace among the body of Christ. Do we seek that as the psalmist does here?
Pray for it? Seek it? Promote it?
No comments:
Post a Comment