Psalm 122:6 kjv
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
Psalm 122:6 nkjv
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May they prosper who love you.
Psalm 122:6 niv
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May those who love you be secure.
Psalm 122:6 esv
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! "May they be secure who love you!
Psalm 122:6 nlt
Pray for peace in Jerusalem.
May all who love this city prosper.
Psalm 122 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 122:1-5 | I rejoiced... For there the thrones of judgment... | Context of pilgrims arriving in Jerusalem. |
| Ps 122:7 | Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. | Direct continuation of the prayer. |
| Ps 122:8 | For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. | Reason for the prayer for peace. |
| Ps 122:9 | Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good. | Divine motivation for seeking Jerusalem's good. |
| Gen 12:3 | I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee. | The Abrahamic covenant of blessing for Israel's friends. |
| Num 6:26 | The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. | Priestly blessing emphasizing divine peace. |
| Isa 62:6-7 | You who call on the Lord, take no rest, give Him no rest till He establishes Jerusalem. | Prophetic command to ceaselessly pray for Jerusalem. |
| Jer 29:7 | Seek the peace of the city where I have sent you... for in its peace you will have peace. | Command to pray for the peace of a city (Babylon here, but principle applies). |
| Ps 128:5-6 | The Lord bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days... | Blessings emanating from Zion and seeing its good. |
| Zech 8:3 | Thus says the Lord: I will return to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem... | God's promised presence and restoration of Jerusalem. |
| Zech 8:15 | So again have I purposed in these days to do good to Jerusalem... | God's intention to bless Jerusalem. |
| Mal 3:10 | Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse... see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven... | Principle of blessing upon faithfulness and support. |
| Rom 15:30-31 | Join me in my struggle by praying to God for me... that I may be delivered... | Call to prayer for fellow believers and their work. |
| 1 Tim 2:1-2 | I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions... be made for all people, for kings... | Universal call to intercessory prayer for authorities and societal peace. |
| Rom 8:6 | The mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. | Spiritual peace in the New Covenant. |
| Phil 4:7 | And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts... | God's supernatural peace as a gift. |
| Col 3:15 | Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. | Christ's peace as a governing principle. |
| Heb 12:22 | But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. | The spiritual reality of New Covenant Jerusalem. |
| Rev 21:2 | I saw the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven... | Future hope of the eternal, perfect Jerusalem. |
| Rev 22:3-4 | No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city... | God's presence and peace in the new heavens and new earth. |
| Matt 5:9 | Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. | Connection between actively pursuing peace and divine favor. |
| Gal 6:9 | Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest... | Principle of reaping blessings for sustained good actions. |
Psalm 122 verses
Psalm 122 6 Meaning
Psalm 122:6 is a heartfelt call to pray for the comprehensive well-being and completeness of Jerusalem, emphasizing that those who hold sincere affection and commitment for the holy city will themselves experience tranquility, security, and flourishing. It links intercessory prayer for God's chosen dwelling place with divine blessing upon the intercessors, highlighting a reciprocal relationship between caring for Zion and receiving peace and prosperity. The verse functions as both a command and a promise within the context of pilgrims approaching Jerusalem.
Psalm 122 6 Context
Psalm 122 is a Song of Ascents (Psa 120-134), traditionally sung by pilgrims making their way "up" to Jerusalem for the three annual feasts (Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles) commanded by the Torah. The psalm vividly portrays the joy and anticipation of arriving at the holy city, seen as the spiritual and judicial heart of the nation. Verse 1 expresses joy at the prospect of going to the house of the Lord. Verses 2-5 describe Jerusalem as a unified city, where the tribes of Israel ascend for worship, and where justice is administered by the Davidic throne. In this immediate context, Psalm 122:6 serves as an immediate directive to the pilgrims. After marveling at the city, they are commanded to actively pray for its shalom, reinforcing Jerusalem's pivotal role not just as a destination but as a subject of continuous prayer. Culturally, Jerusalem was central to Israel's identity, symbolizing God's covenantal presence, national unity, and divine rule. There are no direct polemics here; rather, it's an affirmation of Jerusalem's unique divine favor, which would implicitly stand in contrast to the polytheistic practices or alternative religious centers of surrounding nations that did not have this focus on a singular holy city of God.
Psalm 122 6 Word analysis
- Pray (שַׁאֲלוּ - shāʾălū): This is a verb in the Qal imperative, plural. It signifies a direct, forceful command to an entire group of people, urging them to actively ask, request, or petition. It's not a passive hope but an energetic, collective intercession. The implication is a constant, dedicated practice of prayer, not just a casual wish.
- for the peace (לְשָׁלוֹם - ləshālôm):
- לְ (lə-): A preposition meaning "for" or "to."
- שָׁלוֹם (shālôm): This foundational Hebrew term transcends the modern understanding of "peace" as merely the absence of conflict. Shalom encompasses concepts of completeness, wholeness, well-being, health, safety, prosperity, tranquility, and harmony. It refers to a state of comprehensive flourishing, a condition of secure completeness where everything is as it should be, both internally and externally. Praying for Jerusalem's shalom is asking for its holistic good in all aspects – spiritual, social, economic, and political stability, reflecting divine order.
- of Jerusalem (יְרוּשָׁלִַם - Yərūshālaim): The holy city, deeply significant to Israel as the chosen place for God's dwelling (the Temple), the seat of the Davidic kingdom, and the center of Israel's worship and justice system. Its dual form (`-aim`) may suggest its dual nature (heavenly and earthly) or its historical connection to Salem (peace) and its eventual establishment by King David. It is not merely a geographical location but a symbol of God's presence among His people.
- they shall prosper (יִשְׁלָיוּ - yishlāyū): This verb is derived from the root שָׁלֵו (shalew), which is closely related to shalom. It means to be at ease, tranquil, secure, to flourish, or to have abundance. There's a powerful wordplay between shalom (peace) and yishlāyū (prosper). It promises security and blessing, indicating that those who prioritize Jerusalem's peace will experience a corresponding state of peace and well-being in their own lives. It suggests a direct divine reciprocation.
- that love thee (אֹהֲבַיִךְ - ʾōhavayikh): Refers to those who have a deep affection and active commitment to Jerusalem. This love is not merely sentimental but involves a dedication to its welfare and its divine purpose. Such love is demonstrated through intercession, support, and alignment with God's plans for His city. It highlights that the promise of prosperity is specifically for those with genuine, heartfelt attachment.
Psalm 122 6 Bonus section
The promise embedded in Psalm 122:6 has significant theological depth, pointing beyond the physical city of Jerusalem to its greater, enduring spiritual reality. For Christians, Jerusalem prefigures the Church, the bride of Christ, and ultimately, the New Jerusalem described in Revelation (Rev 21:2), the eternal city where God dwells with His people in perfect peace. Therefore, the call to "pray for the peace of Jerusalem" extends to earnest prayer for the health, unity, and spiritual flourishing of the Church worldwide. Moreover, the Messianic hope inherent in Zion is central; true shalom for Jerusalem will ultimately be fully realized with the return of Christ, the Prince of Peace, who will reign from the new Jerusalem, establishing eternal righteousness and security. The "love" mentioned in the verse is active adoration and devotion, implying that one's commitment to God's redemptive plan and His chosen people is a pathway to receiving His promised tranquility.
Psalm 122 6 Commentary
Psalm 122:6 is a succinct yet profound divine instruction to the pilgrims approaching Jerusalem, and by extension, to all who revere God's city. The core of the verse is a communal command to intercede for Jerusalem's "shalom." This shalom is far-reaching, encompassing not just political calm but complete spiritual and material well-being, harmony, and prosperity—the state of flourishing intended by God for His dwelling place. The call to "pray" (shāʾălū) is an active, persistent appeal for this comprehensive good. Immediately following this command, the verse offers a powerful promise: "they shall prosper that love thee." The Hebrew word for "prosper" (yishlāyū) shares the same root as shalom, creating a beautiful wordplay that underscores the interconnectedness between seeking the peace of Jerusalem and receiving peace and blessing oneself. It suggests a divine principle: aligning oneself with God's priorities for His kingdom and actively seeking the good of what He values brings personal benefit. This isn't a transactional exchange but a natural outcome of spiritual congruence. Loving Jerusalem implies supporting its divine purpose and cherishing its role as God's city; such active love elicits God's favor.
Examples of practical application:
- Praying for spiritual awakenings and justice in the Church, recognizing the Church as the spiritual Jerusalem.
- Supporting missions and ministries that seek the spiritual good of physical Israel and Jewish people.
- Engaging in prayer for one's own city or community, seeking its holistic well-being based on biblical principles.