Psalm 122:6-7 - Pray for the peace of Jerusalem

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels."

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.

Commentary

Many scholars would say that this psalm was written to be sung as pilgrims would come into the temple in Jerusalem. It was a way to prepare the hearts of those who were coming to offer sacrifices to God. For those who are followers of Christ, we recognize that the sacrifice has been made once for all. We are free from the need to bring an animal to be slaughtered in our place for our sins. But when we come into the living temple of God's people, the church, do we pray for it's peace? Do we ask God to use our gatherings to be a citadel of security for the broken, the hurting, the pilgrim? This passage is rightly used to continue to pray for Jerusalem, but there is a "Jerusalem" that we should be a part of - a local church. Pray for your church today, and if you don't attend a community, may this Psalm become your guide as you start your pilgrimage to find one.

Today's Commentary by:
David Whitehead, Pastor, Grace NYC

Psalm 16:5 - You have made my lot secure

LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.

The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.

Commentary

David, the author of this Psalm, was distressed as he was writing this. Yet in the midst of great hardship, David acknowledged that God guards those things that are valuable to David: his portion, his cup and his lot. His portion was the provision that was needed for him to survive. His cup was the purpose in life that he had (remember Jesus, who spoke to the Father of "taking this cup from him"). His lot was the inheritance of land that was a major part of preserving Jewish lineage. When David felt separated from all of these things, he reminded himself that his current situation was not the final word: it was God's faithfulness that he trusted in during times of trial. That same faithfulness is available to you and me. Our God is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Today's Commentary by:
David Whitehead, Pastor, Grace NYC