Godly influence
Setting: In this third ‘song of ascent’, pilgrims looking forward to stand in the gates of Jerusalem devote themselves to the Lord by praying for her peace and security. For believers who set their mind on a Jerusalem in heaven (Heb 12:22), this metaphor becomes a model to guide their prayers for the body of believers.
Warm-up: What determines whether you enjoy to be member of a church, or whether you remain ‘on the fence’ as an observer?
Read: Psalm 122
1) vv1-2: Why was the psalmist glad to go to the house of the Lord?
- Given the perils and troubles of the journey, what attracted him there?
- What difference does it make that he says ‘Let us go…’ (not ‘Let me go…’)?
- Why did he so enjoy the company of brothers in the faith?
- What do this ‘city’ and the ‘house of the Lord’ mean to Christians metaphorically? cf Heb 12:22-24; Eph 2:17-22
- v2 lit. means ‘Our feet shall stand in the gates…’: What could this mean?
- City gates were also squares of business and administration: What did it mean to have a standing there? cf Job 29:7-17
- Should believers be influential in their ‘city gates’? How?
- How did Jesus define ‘greatness’ for his followers?
2) vv3-5: How does Ps 122 define ‘godly influence’?
- v3: Pilgrims approaching mount Zion would have noticed a densely built city (lit. ‘compacted’; ESV: bound together): In what sense are believers such a city on a hill, and what binds them together? cf Mt 5:14-16; Eph 4:1-5
- On what foundation is this city built? cf Eph 2:20; 1 Cor 3:11
- v4: By what means were worshipers in that city ‘decreed’ to increase its influence?
- What were they decreed to ‘give’? [ESV inserts ‘to give thanks‘, even though v4 does not say] cf Deut 16:16-17
- What did these thank offerings signify metaphorically? => What are believers supposed to bring? cf Ro 12:1-3
- What makes such sacrifices acceptable to God? cf 1 Pet 2:5
- v5: What are ‘thrones of judgment’ (pl.), the thrones (pl.) of the house of David?
- Judgment in the sense of ‘vengeance’, or in the sense of integrity, fairness and justice?
- who is (spiritually) the house of David? cf Acts 15:14-16 [the apostles understood this as fulfilled in the church of Jews and Gentiles]
- Who of that ‘house’ is seated on ‘thrones’? Eph 1:20 + 2:6; 1 Cor 6:1-3
3) vv6-9: By what means does the psalmist see himself invested with authority to promote justice, ‘enthroned’ with the house of David’?
- Why is the psalmist so focused on prayer?
- Was it by prayer alone?
- What proves that his prayers were genuine and not only an excuse for doing nothing else, v9?
- What was his prayer? => Did he pray for peace with the world, with the Arabs, or world peace in general?
- Why pray for peace within the walls of the city?
- Why is peace among believers something they must always pray for?
- How is prayer a means to keep watch over the ‘security’ of this city? cf Col 4:2-4
- Security was promised by the preceding Ps 121. So why pray for it?
- Why does God want believers to partake in His work by means of prayer?
- Imagine if God would make every spiritual blessing happen without believers praying for it with patience: What would you expect to be the outcome? cf 1 Cor 4:7
4) Personal and application
- What are your motives to attend (or not) church gatherings on Sunday or during the week?
- What are the ‘gates’ where someone can enter and be admitted into the fellowship of your church?
- How are the goals of your church and its strategy aligned with the goals and the strategy for pilgrims listening to Ps 122?
- How can you help one another to make the prayer of Ps 122 your own?
Bibletogetherblog 