Psalm 122:9 kjv
Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.
Psalm 122:9 nkjv
Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek your good.
Psalm 122:9 niv
For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity.
Psalm 122:9 esv
For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good.
Psalm 122:9 nlt
For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,
I will seek what is best for you, O Jerusalem.
Psalm 122 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Pss 122:6 | Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! | Call to pray for Jerusalem's welfare |
| Pss 122:7 | May peace be within your walls and prosperity within your palaces! | Desired outcome for Jerusalem |
| Pss 84:1-2 | How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!... my soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord. | Longing for God's dwelling place |
| Pss 27:4 | One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord... | Desire to dwell in God's house |
| Pss 84:10 | For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. | Value of God's presence |
| 1 Kgs 8:29-30 | ...that your eyes may be open night and day toward this house... | God's attention on His temple |
| Neh 1:6 | Let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant... for the people of Israel. | Prayer for Jerusalem and people |
| Isa 2:2 | It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established... | Nations flocking to God's house |
| Mic 4:2 | ...For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. | Law from Jerusalem |
| Zech 8:3 | Thus says the Lord: I have returned to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. | God's promised return to Zion |
| Hag 1:4 | Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? | Prioritizing God's house |
| John 2:16-17 | Jesus said... “Do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” ...His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” | Christ's zeal for God's house |
| 1 Cor 3:16 | Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? | Believers as God's temple |
| Eph 2:19-22 | ...you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God... a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. | Church as God's spiritual dwelling |
| 1 Tim 3:15 | ...the household of God, which is the church of the living God... | Church as God's household |
| Heb 3:6 | ...but Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast... | Christ over God's house |
| 1 Pet 2:5 | ...you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house... | Believers as spiritual house |
| Phil 2:4 | Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. | Seeking others' good |
| Gal 6:10 | So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. | Doing good to God's household |
| Rom 12:10 | Love one another with brotherly affection. | Brotherly love |
| Rev 21:2-3 | And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven... Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. | New Jerusalem, God's dwelling |
| Ezra 7:27-28 | Blessed be the Lord... who has put such a thing as this into the heart of the king... to beautify the house of the Lord. | Desire to beautify God's house |
| Hag 1:9 | ...because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house. | Rebuked for neglecting God's house |
| Deut 12:5-7 | But you shall seek the place that the Lord your God will choose... and there you shall bring your burnt offerings... | God's chosen dwelling place |
Psalm 122 verses
Psalm 122 9 Meaning
Psalm 122:9 expresses a pilgrim's profound motivation for actively pursuing the well-being and prosperity of Jerusalem, the city where the Temple of the Lord resided. The devotion is not driven by personal gain, but by deep reverence and love for God's dwelling place and His presence among His people. It signifies a selfless commitment to the spiritual and communal welfare of Zion, stemming from a theological understanding of God's presence and His covenant relationship.
Psalm 122 9 Context
Psalm 122 is a Song of Ascents, sung by pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem for one of the annual festivals. The preceding verses (Pss 122:1-5) express the pilgrim's joy upon arriving in Jerusalem, appreciating its unity, purpose as the seat of judgment, and connection to the tribes of Israel. The verse immediately prior (Pss 122:6-8) is an explicit call to pray for Jerusalem's peace and prosperity, rooted in the shared identity with brethren and companions. Verse 9 then climaxes this devotional attitude, clarifying the underlying reason for such fervent prayers and actions: "For the sake of the house of the Lord our God." Historically, Jerusalem was not only the capital but the spiritual center due to the Temple (God's chosen dwelling place). Pilgrimage fostered a strong sense of national and religious unity centered around the Temple. The well-being of the city was inseparable from the welfare of the Temple and the presence of God.
Psalm 122 9 Word analysis
For the sake of (לְמַעַן - lᵉmaʿan): This preposition means "on account of," "because of," or "for the purpose of." It highlights the profound motivation and selfless reason behind the psalmist's actions. The good sought is not for personal benefit, but directly connected to the sacred entity that follows.
the house (בֵּית - beit): This literally means "house." In the context of Jerusalem, particularly in the Songs of Ascents and related psalms, it unmistakably refers to the Temple—the dwelling place of God's presence among His people. It signifies the physical sanctuary and the divine activities centered there.
of the Lord (יְהוָה - YHWH): This is the ineffable personal name of God, revealing His covenant faithfulness and sovereign relationship with Israel. It emphasizes that this is not just any house, but the sacred abode of the One True God.
our God (אֱלֹהֵינוּ - ʾEloheinu): The plural form 'Elohim' ("God") combined with the first-person plural possessive suffix ("our") conveys a profound sense of shared identity, communal ownership, and personal relationship. The pilgrims collectively claim God as their own, strengthening their bond to His dwelling.
I will seek (אֲבַקֵּשׁ - ʾavaqqesh): This is an active verb, conveying determination and intentional effort. It means "to search for," "to inquire," "to require," or "to demand." It signifies a deliberate and earnest pursuit of the well-being of the city, not merely a passive wish.
your good (טוֹב לָךְ - ṭôv lâḵ): Ṭôv means "good," "well-being," "prosperity," "welfare," or "blessing." The suffix lâḵ means "to you" or "for you." The collective "you" here refers to Jerusalem (addressed in the preceding verses, e.g., Pss 122:6-7), personifying the city as the recipient of this earnest desire for holistic flourishing. It implies desiring comprehensive shalom – peace, wholeness, prosperity, and safety.
Words-group analysis:
- "For the sake of the house of the Lord our God": This entire phrase establishes the powerful theological bedrock of the pilgrim's devotion. The motivation is not self-serving or even purely nationalist; it is fundamentally centered on God—His character, His dwelling place, and His relationship with His people. It is a declaration of reverent service stemming from the understanding of God's central role.
- "I will seek your good": This segment outlines the active commitment arising from the motivation. It emphasizes the personal volition and earnest effort ('I will seek') directed towards the well-being ('your good') of the city representing God's presence. This goes beyond mere prayer, implying practical actions and support for the city and its sacred institution.
Psalm 122 9 Bonus section
This verse encapsulates the concept of a "theocentric" motivation—where one's actions are primarily driven by what honors God and promotes His kingdom. It contrasts sharply with self-interest or a mere sentimental attachment. The psalmist's focus is on the object of worship and His dwelling. In the New Covenant, this call extends to a corporate responsibility to the local and global Church, understanding that "we are His house." Therefore, seeking the "good" of the church includes promoting sound doctrine, fostering fellowship, encouraging evangelism, supporting its leaders, and maintaining its purity and unity. The pilgrim's spirit found in Pss 122:9 encourages believers today to actively engage in the flourishing of the Lord's spiritual house.
Psalm 122 9 Commentary
Psalm 122:9 serves as a theological anchor for the pilgrim's devotion to Jerusalem. It powerfully articulates that the fervent prayers for peace (Pss 122:6-7) and the longing for unity among God's people (Pss 122:3-5) stem from a single, compelling motivation: the presence of the Temple, "the house of the Lord our God." This verse reveals a worshipper whose loyalty and dedication are profoundly God-centered. The well-being of Jerusalem is not sought merely for civic pride or nationalistic zeal, but because it is the seat of God's manifested presence.
The active pursuit implied by "I will seek" underscores that devotion is not passive sentiment but a committed endeavor. It means advocating for, protecting, supporting, and contributing to the prosperity and spiritual integrity of what represents God on earth. This selfless focus reflects a heart aligned with divine priorities. In a broader Christian understanding, this devotion extends beyond the physical temple to the spiritual "house of God," which is the Church (1 Tim 3:15; Eph 2:19-22). Believers, as "living stones" (1 Pet 2:5), are called to passionately seek the spiritual and physical well-being of the community of faith, understanding that Christ Himself is faithful over God's house (Heb 3:6). Just as the ancient pilgrim poured out his heart for Zion, Christians are to zealously love and build up the Body of Christ, contributing to its purity, peace, and fruitfulness.