Psalm 122 Part 2

No doubt when pilgrims came within sight of Jerusalem’s glorious skyline, they were exuberant in joyful praise. But as we noted yesterday when Jesus approached the city for the last time before His crucifixion, He wept and said, “I wish that even today you would find the way of peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from you.” Luke.19:42.

I don’t think any city in history has heard the word peace more often. Yet perhaps no city has been so devastated over and over again by invading armies: The Babylonians, Greeks, Romans, Persians, Muslims, Turks, Crusaders, and the British – all have besieged it and captured it, some several times. Jerusalem, held sacred by 3 major religions, means the ‘City of peace,’ but peace has eluded it. Strange isn’t it, that the ‘Prince of Peace was crucified there!

As you read this short psalm remember that the church is to the Christian what Jerusalem was to pilgrims. See how Paul applies this psalm (and especially v9) in Hebrews.12:22-24. In the church, we should draw together as fellow pilgrims, and the way to bring peace is to “let mutual love continue.” (Heb.13:1 NRSV). We should acknowledge the hardships and dangers of our fellow pilgrim’s journeys, that are both spiritual and physical and pray for Jesus’ abiding help.

Vs6-9 tells us to pray for the peace (Heb. shalom) of Jerusalem.The idea of peace or tranquillity is central to Hebrew thought.  The word shalom was used as a greeting (“Peace to you”) and a blessing (“Go in peace”).  People assumed that peace was a blessing from God to the faithful and denied to the wicked. Shalom (peace) was more than the absence of armed conflict.  It implied a centeredness that would buffer a person from the difficulties of life.  It included the ideas of health and well-being. It implies we give one another sympathy, support, and blessings for the journey. 
The call from this verse is to “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.”  Heb12:22ff tells us the church is now this place. This can only be achieved if we “love another” as Jesus told us to in John.13:34-35.