PSALM 122

During the winter months, there is a Jewish tradition of studying a special set of psalms - "tehilim" - on Shabbat afternoons. These psalms, #120-#134, are known as the Shir HaMaalot/Songs of Ascent psalms, as that is the first phrase in each psalm.  Each week, one of these psalms will be presented here.  We have so far covered Psalm 104, the Psalm for the New Month, and Psalms 120-121. This week, we look at Psalm 122, which is located on page 447 in your Siddur Lev Shalem, and you can also find it at https://www.sefaria.org/Psalms.122?lang=bi .

This psalms describes how a Jew might feel on making a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, which we are directed to do for each of the three harvest festivals (Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot), and climbing up to the Temple to make a sacrifice. Both past tense and present tense statements are made; the author is celebrating both his past ascents to the top of the Mount and the sense (at least metaphorical if not literal) that he is there while he utters the psalm, and we can join in that feeling and be there emotionally and spiritually until we can do it in the flesh. The city (of Jerusalem) is complete, "knit together", a unity of function and purpose; the people of Israel are called upon to model themselves on this unity. We seek the peace of Jerusalem, not one of surrender but one of triumph, where G-d has swept away those who would threaten us and the Holy City.

(text from Siddur Lev Shalem)

A Song of Ascents, of David.

How delighted I was then they said to me,

"Let us go up to the house of Adoshem."

Our feet stand at your gates, O Jerusalem--

Jerusalem rebuilt, a city knit together,

where the tribes once made their pilgrimage, the tribes of Adoshem--

testimony by the people Israel of their gratitude to Adoshem.

There were found the seats of judges, the thrones of the house of David.

Seek the peace of Jerusalem; may those who love you be tranquil.

May there be peace within your ramparts, tranquility in your palaces.

For the sake of my family and friends I pray for the peace I seek for you.

For the sake of the house of Adoshem I seek your welfare.