“I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” And now here we are, standing inside your gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is a well-built city; its seamless walls cannot be breached. All 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. Here stand the thrones where judgment is given, the thrones of the dynasty of David. Pray for peace in Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper. O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls and prosperity in your palaces. For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “May you have peace.” For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek what is best for you, O Jerusalem.”
Psalms 122:1-9 NLT
It’s interesting how David prays for Jerusalem. The prayer is for peace. Yet, most of the historical record and the Bible is filled with the account of Jerusalem not being at peace. In fact it was constantly at war and being besieged by its enemies. Beyond this, from within, it was filled with warring factions that were constantly at enmity with each other. Whether it was the kings against kings, or prophets against kings. Jerusalem has not been a place of peace. Beyond this, David’s prayer is of even more note. The name Jerusalem literally translates to city of peace. Yet the city is hardly known for being peaceful. However, David’s prayer cannot be simply written off as a hopeless one. After all, in its constant warring state, it became the capital for God’s peace. Just as the cross was a symbol of death before Jesus hung upon it, so was Jerusalem before Jesus hung in it. Now it brings a different type of peace to those who love God. It may be a place that seems the worst in all of history, but it is the place from which eternal hope springs. Perhaps David knew that God would do great things through this city. Perhaps this is why it is contentious land, to this day.
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