Psalm 122: The Brotherhood of Worship

Psalm 122 is another of David’s songs expressing the joy he felt in being able to worship in the house of the Lord with like-minded brethren.

Spiritual fellowship should be a blessing to all who come together to worship God. The Israelites assembled annually for three commemorative feasts that turned their thoughts and gratitude to the Lord. Only men and boys were required to attend these festivals, but often entire families traveled to worship at Jerusalem.

Passover was the most largely attended.

“The Passover was followed by the seven days’ feast of unleavened bread. On the second day of the feast, the first fruits of the year’s harvest, a sheaf of barley, was presented before the Lord. All the ceremonies of the feast were types of the work of Christ. The deliverance of Israel from Egypt was an object lesson of redemption, which the Passover was intended to keep in memory. The slain lamb, the unleavened bread, the sheaf of first fruits, represented the Saviour.” Fifty days after Passover, Pentecost celebrated a successful harvest.

The third gathering was the Feast of Tabernacles or Ingathering.

This festival followed the Day of Atonement.

Being assured their sins were forgiven, the people felt at peace with God.

The harvest was done, and they were grateful for God’s mercy.

“At these yearly assemblies the hearts of old and young would be encouraged in the service of God, while the association of the people from the different quarters of the land would strengthen the ties that bound them to God and to one another. Well would it be for the people of God at the present time to have a Feast of Tabernacles—a joyous commemoration of the blessings of God to them.” “Verses 8, 9 lay down two great principles that should actuate every Christian: (1) love for the brethren, (2) love for the church. Those who love God will love the brethren of whom God’s church is composed.” “We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing.”