Psalm 122:4 kjv
Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.
Psalm 122:4 nkjv
Where the tribes go up, The tribes of the LORD, To the Testimony of Israel, To give thanks to the name of the LORD.
Psalm 122:4 niv
That is where the tribes go up? the tribes of the LORD? to praise the name of the LORD according to the statute given to Israel.
Psalm 122:4 esv
to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
Psalm 122:4 nlt
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.
Psalm 122 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 23:17 | "Three times in the year all your males shall appear before the Lord GOD." | Command for annual pilgrimage to central sanctuary. |
| Deut 16:16 | "Three times a year all your males shall appear... at the place that he will choose..." | Reiterates the pilgrimage command. |
| Ps 78:68 | "...He chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which he loves." | God's choice of Zion as dwelling place. |
| Deut 12:5 | "...to the place that the LORD your God will choose... to put his name there." | God chose a specific place for worship. |
| Ps 133:1 | "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!" | Theme of tribal unity in worship. |
| Isa 2:3 | "...from Zion shall go out the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem." | Jerusalem as the source of God's teaching. |
| Mic 4:2 | "...from Zion shall go out the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem." | Echoes Isaiah's prophecy of Jerusalem's significance. |
| 1 Kings 8:4-5 | "...the ark of the covenant of the LORD was brought up... to the tent, and all the congregation of Israel..." | Tribes bringing the Ark to Jerusalem. |
| 1 Sam 7:2 | "...the ark remained at Kiriath-jearim for twenty years... and all the house of Israel longed after the LORD." | Longing for God's presence/Ark. |
| Ps 106:1 | "Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good..." | Call to give thanks to the LORD. |
| Ps 7:17 | "I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness..." | Act of giving thanks. |
| Lev 19:2 | "You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy." | Implication of God's character (name) and holiness. |
| Deut 6:4 | "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one." | Centrality of YHWH's name and identity. |
| Deut 4:45 | "These are the testimonies, the statutes, and the rules, which Moses spoke..." | Description of "testimony" as God's law. |
| Ps 19:7 | "The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure..." | Praises for God's testimony. |
| Rom 3:2 | "Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God." | Israel entrusted with God's testimonies. |
| Jn 4:21 | "Jesus said... the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father." | Shift from geographical to spiritual worship. |
| Heb 12:22 | "But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem..." | Believers come to spiritual Jerusalem. |
| Eph 4:4-6 | "There is one body and one Spirit... one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all..." | Unity of believers in Christ. |
| Rev 21:22-24 | "And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb... for the glory of God gives it light..." | New Jerusalem as ultimate spiritual dwelling. |
| Col 2:16-17 | "Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival... which are a shadow of what is to come..." | Pilgrimages foreshadow ultimate reality in Christ. |
| Ps 84:5-7 | "Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion." | Focus on the journey to Zion and the blessing it brings. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness..." | The New Testament equivalent of a chosen people proclaiming God. |
| Mal 3:1 | "...the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple..." | The coming of the Lord to His temple. |
| Zech 14:16 | "...everyone who is left of all the nations that came against Jerusalem shall go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts..." | Future pilgrimage of nations to Jerusalem. |
Psalm 122 verses
Psalm 122 4 Meaning
Psalm 122:4 describes the central purpose of Jerusalem for the people of Israel: it is the destination where all twelve tribes converge for annual pilgrimages. Their unified ascent is not merely geographical but spiritual, designed to participate in the divinely ordained practices given by the LORD. They journey to Jerusalem, which houses "the testimony of Israel"—God's laws and covenant stipulations—to offer collective thanks and praise to the name and character of the LORD. This verse encapsulates the unity, obedience, and communal worship central to ancient Israelite faith.
Psalm 122 4 Context
Psalm 122 is one of the fifteen "Songs of Ascent" (Psalms 120-134), traditionally sung by pilgrims on their way up to Jerusalem for the annual feasts. This particular psalm expresses joy and anticipation upon arriving at the city. It praises Jerusalem's role as a political, judicial, and spiritual center, where the tribes gather not only for governance but, critically, for unified worship. Verse 4 highlights the core religious motivation for this arduous journey, setting the stage for the prayers for Jerusalem's peace and prosperity that follow. Historically, these pilgrimages united the diverse tribes under a common spiritual identity centered on the LORD and His chosen city.
Psalm 122 4 Word analysis
- Whither: An archaic term meaning "to which place" or "where to." It signifies the direction and purpose of the journey, pointing explicitly towards Jerusalem.
- the tribes (שְׁבָטִים - shevatim): Refers to the twelve clans or divisions of Israel, descendants of Jacob. The use of "tribes" emphasizes the collective, national, and inclusive nature of this pilgrimage, bringing together all parts of the nation. It highlights a divinely orchestrated unity among a people who often faced internal divisions.
- go up (עָלָה - ‘alah): This verb consistently signifies an ascent, specifically used for the act of pilgrims going up to Jerusalem. Jerusalem is elevated both geographically and spiritually, symbolizing proximity to God's presence. It denotes a deliberate act of seeking God's face in His holy city.
- the tribes of the LORD (שְׁבָטֵי־יָהּ - shivtey Yah): This repetition and qualification underscore their unique relationship with God. They are not merely geopolitical entities but are divinely chosen and belong to the LORD. It emphasizes divine ownership and purpose for their pilgrimage. "Yah" is a shortened poetic form of YHWH, highlighting a personal and intimate connection.
- unto the testimony of Israel (עֵדוּת לְיִשְׂרָאֵל - ‘edut l’yisra'el):
- Testimony (‘edut): This term broadly refers to God's decrees, laws, and statutes given to Israel, especially those associated with the Ark of the Covenant, often called the Ark of the Testimony. It signifies the revealed will of God, foundational to the covenant. This is not merely a custom but a divinely commanded pattern of worship.
- of Israel: Reinforces that these divine commands were specifically for God's chosen people, forming the core of their national identity and religious life.
- to give thanks (לְהוֹדוֹת - l’hodot): The primary purpose of the gathering. It is not just about fulfilling a religious duty, but expressing profound gratitude and praise to God. It encompasses thanksgiving for God's goodness, faithfulness, and the covenant He has made with Israel. It also implies acknowledging His authority and sovereignty.
- unto the name of the LORD (לְשֵׁם יְהוָה - l’shem YHWH):
- Name (shem): In biblical thought, "name" represents the character, nature, authority, and entire revelation of an individual, particularly God. To praise "the name of the LORD" is to acknowledge and give homage to all that God is – His holiness, power, covenant faithfulness, and majesty. It emphasizes the direct object of their worship and thanksgiving is the very being of God Himself.
- LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH): The covenant name of God, revealing Him as the personal, unchanging, self-existent God who fulfills His promises.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD": This phrase emphasizes the collective, divinely ordained journey of all Israel to a specific sacred destination. The repetition of "the tribes" highlights their unity and corporate identity as God's people on a spiritual pilgrimage. It subtly suggests a divinely mandated assembly.
- "unto the testimony of Israel": This points to the purpose of their gathering: adherence to God's revealed will. The "testimony" implies the presence of the Law, the Ark, and the covenant itself, serving as the foundational charter of Israel's existence and worship. It signifies the source of divine authority and instruction for the nation.
- "to give thanks unto the name of the LORD": This defines the ultimate spiritual outcome and intention of the pilgrimage. The convergence upon God's "testimony" leads naturally to expressing gratitude and worship for all that God is and does. It highlights the deeply personal and relational aspect of their national faith.
Psalm 122 4 Bonus section
The concept of "testimony" (עֵדוּת - ‘edut) is highly significant. It can also refer to the Ten Commandments (Exod 25:16), called "the testimony" within the Ark, making the Ark of the Covenant the "ark of the testimony." Thus, "unto the testimony of Israel" can be seen as coming into God's presence as represented by the Ark and, by extension, the entire temple system where His laws were central. The pilgrimage, therefore, was a literal journey towards God's explicit revealed will. This verse strongly argues against any notion of worshipping YHWH anywhere else or in any other way than what He prescribed, making it implicitly polemical against localized shrines (e.g., in Dan or Bethel) or syncretic practices common among Israel's neighbors. The prescribed "testimony" served as a boundary marker, delineating true Israelite worship. The New Testament spiritualizes this ascent to Christ and the heavenly Jerusalem, where believers are gathered not by physical travel but by spiritual union and obedience to His "testimony" (Rev 12:17).
Psalm 122 4 Commentary
Psalm 122:4 beautifully encapsulates the spiritual pilgrimage of ancient Israel, portraying a nation unified by faith and directed by divine command. The annual "going up" to Jerusalem for the feasts was more than a mere religious obligation; it was a deeply symbolic act reinforcing Israel's corporate identity and its unique relationship with YHWH. The journey brought together disparate tribes to a single sacred point, not for secular reasons, but "unto the testimony of Israel"—a clear reference to the foundational laws and covenant promises entrusted to them, physically represented by the presence of the Law in the Temple. This national gathering culminating in the heart of their worship aimed "to give thanks unto the name of the LORD." It underscored that the very character and revelation of God were the ultimate objects of their praise and gratitude. This verse highlights the theocratic nature of Israel, where national unity, legal structure, and religious practice all converged upon the worship of their one God. For believers today, it foreshadows the gathering of God's people to worship Him according to His revealed Word, whether in communal worship or in the future heavenly Jerusalem.Examples:
- A Christian family attending weekly worship service, honoring God's name and Word collectively.
- A mission trip bringing diverse individuals together to share the 'testimony' of Christ's work and give thanks.