Psalm 122, Further Meditation on the 2nd Pilgrim Psalm

 We are always encouraged by what Jerusalem is in Scripture: it is both the place of fellowship with Christ because the temple is there; and it is the place of the Lordship of Christ because the throne of the house of David is there.  Let us consider these two matters.

·       122:4: What is “the testimony of Israel?”  Matthew Henry says it is the receiving of instruction from God.  He draws this from frequent references to the Law of Moses as “the testimony.”  JFB

(Jamison, Faucette, Brown) say it may refer to the Ark.  We follow JFB on this because that explanation includes Matthew Henry’s explanation.  Here is what we mean.  In Ex. 25:16, 21-22 God told Moses to build the ark and put in it the “testimony” which God would command.  It was “the ark of the testimony" because it contained the testimony of God.  So what did God tell Moses to put in the ark?  What “testimony” was essential?

o   Ex. 16:33-34: a pot which contained manna, by which God fed Israel in the wilderness.

o   Ex. 32:15: the stone tablets, written by God, were His testimony to Israel.

o   Num. 17:10: Aaron’s rod that budded, that showed that God’s authority for the priesthood was in Aaron, was a testimony.

We have included photos from the model “tabernacle” in Timna Park in southern Israel.  The one of the

inside of the ark shows the three items.  What is important for believers today to recognize is the connection these items (the testimony) have with Christ who, as the Son of God, is the ultimate “Testimony” of the reality of God whom no man has seen or can see (1 Tim. 6:16). 1)  Jesus is “the Word of God,” (John 1:1). For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17).  2) Jesus is our High Priest (Heb. 7:20-8:6), who, compared to Aaron, has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises (Heb. 8:6).  3) Jesus is the bread who came down from heaven, the bread of life (John 6:48-59).  This is the bread which came down from heaven – not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead.  He who eats this bread will live forever (Jn. 6:58).

·       122:5: The throne of the house of David also speaks of Christ Jesus.  The angel promised His mother Mary that He would be given the throne of His father David (Lk. 1:32).  To Jesus were given the sure mercies of David, stated in Isa. 55:3 and quoted by Paul in Ac. 13:34.  What are the “sure mercies of David?”  It speaks of God’s promise to David that My mercy shall not depart … your throne shall be established forever (2 Sam. 7:8,15-16; Psalm 89:28). 

We have so much for which to praise our God.  He has had a plan, from before the foundations of the earth, to exalt His Son.  And He is fulfilling that plan to this very day.  No wonder David had such joy and gladness in Psalm 122: I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord’.”