Psalm 122
"I was glad"
Verses 2 and 3 engraved in Hebrew and English on a rock in Tzahal Square, outside the Walls of Jerusalem
Other name	Psalm 121 (Vulgate) "Laetatus sum"
Language	Hebrew (original)

Psalm 122 is the 122nd psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "I was glad" and in Latin entitled Laetatus sum. It is attributed to King David and one of the fifteen psalms described as A song of ascents (Shir Hama'alot). Its title, I was glad, is reflected in a number of choral introits by various composers.

In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 121.

Text

Hebrew Bible version

Following is the Hebrew text of Psalm 122:

King James Version

1. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
2. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.
3. Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:
4. Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.
5. For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.
6. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
7. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.
8. For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.
9. Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.

Purpose

The psalm is attributed to King David;^[1] however, Alexander Kirkpatrick suggests that its author lived "in the country, at a distance from Jerusalem. He recalls the joy with which he heard the invitation of his neighbours to join the company of pilgrims". He adds, "the psalm may best be explained thus, as the meditation of a pilgrim who, after returning to the quiet of his home, reflects upon the happy memories of his pilgrimage."^[2]

Uses

Judaism

Psalm 122 is recited following Mincha between Sukkot and Shabbat Hagadol.^[3] It is also recited on Shabbat Nachamu (the Shabbat after Tisha B'Av) in some traditions.^[4]

It is recited on Yom Yerushalayim in the Conservative Jewish tradition due to the psalmist speaking of a united Jerusalem.^[5]

Verses 7–9 are part of Talmud Brachos 64a.^[6]

Orthodoxy

As one of the Songs of Ascents (known in the Orthodox Church as the Eighteenth Kathisma), the Psalm is read towards the start of Vespers on weekdays during the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th weeks of Great Lent, between September 22 and December 19, between January 15 and The Sunday of the Prodigal Son, and on all Fridays except Good Friday, except when these days either form part of an All-night vigil or fall the day after one.

Catholic Church

According to the rule of St. Benedict set to 530, this Psalm was traditionally performed during the third act of the week, that is to say Tuesday – Saturday after Psalm 120 (119) and Psalm 121 (120).^[7]

In the Liturgy of the Hours today, Psalm 122 is recited or sung at Vespers on Saturday of the fourth week. In the liturgy of the Mass, it is recited on the feast of Christ the King, the first Sunday of Advent in year A and the 34th Sunday in Ordinary Time in year C.

Anglicanism

In the Book of Common Prayer, Psalm 122 is to be said or sung on Day 27 at Morning Prayer.^[8]

Verse 1 is used in the introit for Mothering Sunday which coincides with Laetare Sunday, also called "Mid-Lent Sunday" or Refreshment Sunday.^[9]

Architecture

Verse 6, Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem, is reflected in a sculpture by Dani Karavan in the wall of the Knesset building in Jerusalem.^[10]

Musical settings

• Monteverdi set the Latin (Vulgate) text, Laetatus sum, at least three times, in his Vespro della Beata Vergine of 1610 and twice as a stand-alone motet in 1643.
• Heinrich Schütz composed a metred paraphrase of the psalm in German, "Es ist ein Freud dem Herzen mein", SWV 227, for the Becker Psalter, published first in 1628.
• Charpentier set the same text in 1671, again as a motet, catalogued as H.161, for soloists, chorus, flutes, strings and continuo. In 1690, he set another "Laetatus sum" H.216, for soloists, chorus, 2 treble instruments and continuo.
• Jommelli did the same, in 1743.
• An abridged form of the Book of Common Prayer translation, I was glad, is used in Parry's 1902 coronation anthem of that name.
• The same English text was used for coronation music by Henry Purcell, William Boyce, Thomas Attwood and others.
• Herbert Howells set verses 6 and 7 in his anthem "O, pray for the peace of Jerusalem."
• In 1676 Biber conceives a name piece (C.9) to Salzburg. In 1693, Michel-Richard Delalande wrote his grand motet (S.47), but unfortunately, today lost.
• Jules Van Nuffel set the psalm in Latin, Laetatus sum, for mixed choir and organ in 1935.