Read
Psalm 122:4
where the tribes go up, even the LORD’s tribes, according to an ordinance for Israel, to give thanks to the LORD’s name.
2Our feet are standing within your gates, Jerusalem!
3Jerusalem is built as a city that is compact together,
4where the tribes go up, even the LORD’s tribes, according to an ordinance for Israel, to give thanks to the LORD’s name.
5For there are set thrones for judgment, the thrones of David’s house.
6Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Those who love you will prosper.
Notice
The tribes go up together under God’s command, making thanksgiving a shared purpose for Israel’s gathering in Jerusalem and a reason to consider your own gatherings.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
What changes in your thanksgiving when you offer it alongside other people?
Write on thisHow does the phrase “the LORD’s tribes” shape your understanding of why these people gather?
Write on thisConnect
Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Deuteronomy 16:16Three times in a year all of your males shall appear before the LORD your God in the place which he chooses: in the feast of unleavened bread, in the feast of …Deuteronomy commands Israel’s males to appear before the LORD at appointed feasts; the psalm describes the tribes going up according to an ordinance.
Psalm 66:13–16I will come into your temple with burnt offerings. I will pay my vows to you,Both describe coming to worship God, with thanksgiving named in Psalm 122 and offerings and vows named in Psalm 66.
Psalm 107:1–3Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.Both make thanksgiving to the LORD explicit; Psalm 107 names his goodness and enduring loving kindness as reasons.
Exodus 34:23–24Three times in the year all your males shall appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel.Both describe an appointed gathering before Israel’s God, with Exodus specifying three appearances each year for Israel’s males.
Psalm 118:19Open to me the gates of righteousness. I will enter into them. I will give thanks to the LORD.Both connect going into a place of worship with the purpose of giving thanks to the LORD.
Exodus 23:17Three times in the year all your males shall appear before the Lord GOD.Exodus commands Israel’s males to appear before God three times a year; the psalm describes Israel’s tribes going up under an ordinance.
Psalm 132:13For the LORD has chosen Zion. He has desired it for his habitation.Both associate a particular place with the LORD: Jerusalem receives his tribes, and Zion is named as his chosen habitation.
Deuteronomy 12:11then it shall happen that to the place which the LORD your God shall choose, to cause his name to dwell there, there you shall bring all that I command you: …Both connect a gathering place with the LORD’s name and with worship offered according to his command.
Exodus 32:15Moses turned, and went down from the mountain, with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand; tablets that were written on both their sides. They were …The connection is limited to Israel’s covenant setting: the psalm mentions an ordinance, while Exodus describes Moses carrying covenant tablets.
Exodus 16:34As the LORD commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept.Both describe obedience to a divine requirement, though Exodus concerns preserving something before the Testimony rather than gathering for thanksgiving.
Deuteronomy 12:5But to the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes, to put his name there, you shall seek his habitation, and you shall come there.Both join Israel’s tribes, the LORD’s name, and coming to a designated place in worship.
Numbers 1:50but appoint the Levites over the Tabernacle of the Testimony, and over all its furnishings, and over all that belongs to it. They shall carry the tabernacle …Both concern Israel’s worship, though Numbers assigns care of the tabernacle while the psalm describes tribes gathering to give thanks.
Where this verse fits
Praise and worship. gratitude.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
Thanksgiving has a place in the gathered life of God’s people. Here, Israel’s tribes share both their belonging to YHWH and their purpose in praising his name.
Now put it in your words.
Start an entry on Psalm 122:4. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).