Read
Psalm 122:5
For there are set thrones for judgment, the thrones of David’s house.
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.
7Peace be within your walls, and prosperity within your palaces.
Notice
Thrones set apart for judgment connect royal power with the task of deciding cases, raising questions about what authority is meant to serve.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
What difference does “for judgment” make to how you picture these thrones?
Write on thisWhat do you notice about judgment standing between thanksgiving and prayer for Jerusalem’s peace?
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 17:8If there arises a matter too hard for you in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of …Both passages locate judgment in a place people go to, with Deuteronomy addressing cases too difficult to settle at home.
1 Kings 7:7He made the porch of the throne where he was to judge, even the porch of judgment; and it was covered with cedar from floor to floor.Both passages name a throne as a place for judgment; Kings describes the porch built for that work.
2 Chronicles 19:8Moreover in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed certain Levites, priests, and heads of the fathers’ households of Israel to give judgment for the LORD and for …Jerusalem is the setting for judgment in both passages, with Chronicles naming people appointed to hear controversies.
Song of Songs 7:12Let’s go early up to the vineyards. Let’s see whether the vine has budded, its blossom is open, and the pomegranates are in flower. There I will give you my …The connection is slight: both name a setting for an activity, but the vineyard passage concerns love rather than judgment.
Philippians 2:15that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without defect in the middle of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as …The connection is limited to life among others: the psalm names seats of judgment, while Philippians describes blameless conduct.
1 Kings 10:18Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the finest gold.Both passages mention royal thrones, with the psalm naming their judicial purpose and Kings describing a throne’s ivory and gold.
1 Chronicles 11:5The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You will not come in here!” Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion. The same is David’s city.David is linked with a city in both passages: his capture of Zion and his house’s thrones in Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 11:1The princes of the people lived in Jerusalem. The rest of the people also cast lots to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem, the holy city, and nine parts in …Both passages place leadership in Jerusalem: the psalm locates David’s thrones there, and Nehemiah says the princes lived there.
Psalm 108:8Gilead is mine. Manasseh is mine. Ephraim also is my helmet. Judah is my scepter.Both passages use objects associated with royal authority: the thrones of David’s house and Judah described as a scepter.
Deuteronomy 17:18It shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write himself a copy of this law in a book, out of that which is before the Levitical …Both passages connect a throne with a task: exercising judgment in the psalm and copying the law in Deuteronomy.
2 Chronicles 11:22Rehoboam appointed Abijah the son of Maacah to be chief, the prince among his brothers, for he intended to make him king.Both passages concern kingship within a family: David’s house has thrones, and Rehoboam intends his son Abijah to become king.
2 Samuel 8:18Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief ministers.David’s family has a governing role in both passages: his house holds thrones, and his sons serve as chief ministers.
Where this verse fits
Leadership weight. injustice and anger. sermon or Bible study notes.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
The city where Israel thanks YHWH is also a place for judgment. David’s thrones have a stated purpose: the exercise of judgment among the people.
Now put it in your words.
Start an entry on Psalm 122:5. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.
Keep goingPsalm 122 · the whole chapter with its connection mapPsalms · every chapterBuild a reading plan through Psalms
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).