Psalm 122

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of David.

1I was glad when they said to me,

“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

2And now here we are,

standing inside your gates, O Jerusalem.

3Jerusalem is a well-built city;

its seamless walls cannot be breached.

4All the tribes of Israel—the Lord’s people—

make their pilgrimage here.

They come to give thanks to the name of the Lord,

as the law requires of Israel.

5Here stand the thrones where judgment is given,

the thrones of the dynasty of David.

6Pray for peace in Jerusalem.

May all who love this city prosper.

7O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls

and prosperity in your palaces.

8For the sake of my family and friends, I will say,

“May you have peace.”

9For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,

I will seek what is best for you, O Jerusalem.

Psalm 123

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.

1I lift my eyes to you,

O God, enthroned in heaven.

2We keep looking to the Lord our God for his mercy,

just as servants keep their eyes on their master,

as a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal.

3Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy,

for we have had our fill of contempt.

4We have had more than our fill of the scoffing of the proud

and the contempt of the arrogant.