Psalm 122

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This article is about Psalm 122 in Hebrew (Masoretic) numbering. For Psalm 122 in Greek Septuagint or Latin Vulgate numbering, see Psalm 123 .

Psalm 122
"I was glad"
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Verses 2 and 3 engraved in Hebrew and English on a rock in Tzahal Square, outside the Walls of Jerusalem
Other name
  • Psalm 121 (Vulgate)
  • "Laetatus sum"
LanguageHebrew (original)
Psalm 122
←  Psalm 121
Psalm 123  →
Book Book of Psalms
Hebrew Bible part Ketuvim
Order in the Hebrew part1
Category Sifrei Emet
Christian Bible part Old Testament
Order in the Christian part19

Psalm 122 is the 122nd psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "I was glad" and in Latin entitled Laetatus sum. It is attributed to King David and one of the fifteen psalms described as A song of ascents (Shir Hama'alot). Its title, I was glad, is reflected in a number of choral introits by various composers.

Contents

In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 121.

Purpose

The psalm is attributed to King David; [1] however, Alexander Kirkpatrick suggests that its author lived "in the country, at a distance from Jerusalem. He recalls the joy with which he heard the invitation of his neighbours to join the company of pilgrims". He adds, "the psalm may best be explained thus, as the meditation of a pilgrim who, after returning to the quiet of his home, reflects upon the happy memories of his pilgrimage." [2]

Uses

Judaism

Psalm 122 is recited in some communities following Mincha between Sukkot and Shabbat Hagadol. [3] It is also recited on Shabbat Nachamu (the Shabbat after Tisha B'Av) in some traditions. [4]

It is recited on Yom Yerushalayim in the Conservative Jewish tradition due to the psalmist speaking of a united Jerusalem. [5]

Verses 7–9 are cited in Talmud Brachos 64a, which has been incorporated into various parts of the liturgy. [6]

Catholic Church

According to the Rule of St. Benedict, this Psalm was to be recited during the third act of the week, that is to say on Tuesday through Saturday, after Psalm 120 (119) and Psalm 121 (120). [7]

In the Liturgy of the Hours in general use today, Psalm 122 is recited or sung at Vespers on the Saturday of the fourth week of the four-week cycle. It is also used at Second Vespers in the Common texts for the feasts of both the Blessed Virgin Mary and of all Holy Women.

In the liturgy of the Mass, it is recited on the feast of Christ the King, the first Sunday of Advent in year A in the three-year cycle of Sunday readings and on the 34th Sunday in Ordinary Time in year C.

Anglicanism

In the Book of Common Prayer, Psalm 122 is to be said or sung on Day 27 at Morning Prayer. [8]

Verse 1 is used in the introit for Mothering Sunday which coincides with Laetare Sunday, also called "Mid-Lent Sunday" or Refreshment Sunday. [9]

Coptic Orthodox Church

In the Agpeya, the Coptic Church's book of hours, this psalm is prayed in the office of Vespers [10] and the second watch of the Midnight office. [11]

Architecture

Verse 6, Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem , is reflected in a sculpture by Dani Karavan in the wall of the Knesset building in Jerusalem. [12]

Musical settings

Text

The following table shows the Hebrew text [13] [14] of the Psalm with vowels, alongside the Koine Greek text in the Septuagint [15] and the English translation from the King James Version. Note that the meaning can slightly differ between these versions, as the Septuagint and the Masoretic Text come from different textual traditions. [note 1] In the Septuagint, this psalm is numbered Psalm 121.

#HebrewEnglishGreek
1שִׁ֥יר הַֽמַּעֲל֗וֹת לְדָ֫וִ֥ד שָׂ֭מַחְתִּי בְּאֹמְרִ֣ים לִ֑י בֵּ֖ית יְהֹוָ֣ה נֵלֵֽךְ׃‎(A Song of degrees of David.) I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.᾿ῼδὴ τῶν ἀναβαθμῶν. - ΕΥΦΡΑΝΘΗΝ ἐπὶ τοῖς εἰρηκόσι μοι· εἰς οἶκον Κυρίου πορευσόμεθα.
2עֹ֭מְדוֹת הָי֣וּ רַגְלֵ֑ינוּ בִּ֝שְׁעָרַ֗יִךְ יְרוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃‎Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.ἑστῶτες ἦσαν οἱ πόδες ἡμῶν ἐν ταῖς αὐλαῖς σου, ῾Ιερουσαλήμ.
3יְרוּשָׁלַ֥͏ִם הַבְּנוּיָ֑ה כְּ֝עִ֗יר שֶׁחֻבְּרָה־לָּ֥הּ יַחְדָּֽו׃‎Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:῾Ιερουσαλὴμ οἰκοδομουμένη ὡς πόλις, ἧς ἡ μετοχὴ αὐτῆς ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτό.
4שֶׁשָּׁ֨ם עָל֪וּ שְׁבָטִ֡ים שִׁבְטֵי־יָ֭הּ עֵד֣וּת לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל לְ֝הֹד֗וֹת לְשֵׁ֣ם יְהֹוָֽה׃‎Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.ἐκεῖ γὰρ ἀνέβησαν αἱ φυλαί, φυλαὶ Κυρίου, μαρτύριον τῷ ᾿Ισραήλ, τοῦ ἐξομολογήσασθαι τῷ ὀνόματι Κυρίου·
5כִּ֤י שָׁ֨מָּה ׀ יָשְׁב֣וּ כִסְא֣וֹת לְמִשְׁפָּ֑ט כִּ֝סְא֗וֹת לְבֵ֣ית דָּוִֽד׃‎For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.ὅτι ἐκεῖ ἐκάθισαν θρόνοι εἰς κρίσιν, θρόνοι ἐπὶ οἶκον Δαυΐδ.
6שַׁ֭אֲלוּ שְׁל֣וֹם יְרוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם יִ֝שְׁלָ֗יוּ אֹהֲבָֽיִךְ׃‎Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.ἐρωτήσατε δὴ τὰ εἰς εἰρήνην τὴν ῾Ιερουσαλήμ, καὶ εὐθηνία τοῖς ἀγαπῶσί σε·
7יְהִי־שָׁל֥וֹם בְּחֵילֵ֑ךְ שַׁ֝לְוָ֗ה בְּאַרְמְנוֹתָֽיִךְ׃‎Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.γενέσθω δὴ εἰρήνη ἐν τῇ δυνάμει σου καὶ εὐθηνία ἐν ταῖς πυργοβάρεσί σου.
8לְ֭מַעַן אַחַ֣י וְרֵעָ֑י אֲדַבְּרָה־נָּ֖א שָׁל֣וֹם בָּֽךְ׃‎For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.ἕνεκα τῶν ἀδελφῶν μου καὶ τῶν πλησίον μου, ἐλάλουν δὴ εἰρήνην περὶ σοῦ·
9לְ֭מַעַן בֵּית־יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ אֲבַקְשָׁ֖ה ט֣וֹב לָֽךְ׃‎Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.ἕνεκα τοῦ οἴκου Κυρίου τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν, ἐξεζήτησα ἀγαθά σοι.

Notes

  1. ↑ A 1917 translation directly from Hebrew to English by the Jewish Publication Society can be found here or here, and an 1844 translation directly from the Septuagint by L. C. L. Brenton can be found here. Both translations are in the public domain.

References

  1. ↑ Psalm 122: NKJV
  2. ↑ Kirkpatrick, A. (1906), Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges on Psalm 122, accessed 4 June 2022
  3. ↑ The Complete Artscroll Siddur, p. 530
  4. ↑ The Artscroll Tehillim, p. 329
  5. ↑ Siddur Sim Shalom for Weekdays. Rabbinical Assembly. 2002. pp. 209–210.
  6. ↑ The Complete Artscroll Siddur, p. 479.
  7. ↑ Règle de saint Benoît, traduction de Prosper Guéranger (réimpression ed.), Abbaye Saint-Pierre de Solesmes, 2007, p. 46{{citation}}: CS1 maint: others (link).
  8. ↑ "The Book of Common Prayer". The Church of England. Retrieved 26 November 2016. The Psalms of David – Day 27. Morning
  9. ↑ Burgess, Francis (1921). The English Gradual, part 2. London: Plainchant Publications Committee.
  10. ↑ "Vespers". agpeya.org. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  11. ↑ "Midnight". agpeya.org. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  12. ↑ Knesset, Art and archeology in the Knesset, accessed 4 June 2022
  13. ↑ "Psalms – Chapter 122". Mechon Mamre.
  14. ↑ "Psalms 122 - JPS 1917". Sefaria.org.
  15. ↑ "Psalm 121 - Septuagint and Brenton's Septuagint Translation". Ellopos. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
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