Psalm 122 – 16th July 2021

OBSERVATION
What does it say?

1. Read Psalm 122
2. What feeling(s) does the psalmist express?
3. Do you see any similarities between this Psalm and the previous Psalms of Ascent? (Psalm 120, 121)
4. Does the psalmist give any commands?
5. Do you see any repeated words or poetic devices?

INTERPRETATION
What does it mean?

1. Why do you think the psalmist was glad about going to the house of the Lord?
2. What is the “house of the Lord”? 
3. In verses 3-5, the Psalmist is “looking around” Jerusalem.
   1. What do you think it means that Jerusalem is “bound firmly together”?
   2. What do you think it means that “thrones of judgment were set” in Jerusalem?
4. How does the church carry out the tasks of the temple? (1 Peter 2:4-5; Ephesians 2:19-22)
5. Is there anything in this passage that points to or foreshadows truths of the gospel? (Remember there might be many answers to this question: does it mirror Jesus in any way? Anything pointing to sin, judgment, salvation, God’s love, etc.?)
   1. How many connections can you make? 

APPLICATION
How should it change us?

1. The psalmist was glad and excited to gather with “the tribes of the Lord”.
   1. How does your family usually prepare for gathering and worshiping with God’s people (the church)?
   2. How can we better prepare our hearts in our anticipation and joy in gathering?
   3. What can we do throughout the week to better prepare for the corporate gathering of our church?
2. How can we use this Psalm to pray for our church and for other churches?