The Story Behind the Song I Was Glad When They Said Unto Me Psalm 122
Years ago, I heard a preacher expound on Psalm 122, and one phrase lodged itself deeply in my spirit:
“We are standing within thy gates, O Jerusalem.”
For days, I couldn’t shake it. I kept picturing a weary traveler, finally arriving—his long journey ending as he steps into the Holy City. There’s a profound sense of relief, joy, and belonging in that moment. Home at last.
Psalm 122 resonated with me on many levels, but verses 8 and 9 struck a particularly deep chord:
“For my brethren and companions’ sake, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.”
It reminded me that our walk with God isn’t meant to be lived in isolation. It’s not “just me and God.” My relationship with the Lord should impact the people around me—my family, my friends, even strangers. We are pilgrims, walking together. If I truly love my brother, I will seek the Lord, walk in His ways, and build His Kingdom—not just for my benefit, but for theirs.
My wife, my children, my community—those in need—should feel the ripple effect of my relationship with the King as I “stand in the gates” of Jerusalem, a city whose name means “teaching of peace” or “shalom.”
This led me deeper into Scripture. I began searching for every reference to Jerusalem and contemplating what this city means for us as Gentile believers in the Jewish Messiah.
In the book of Hebrews, I found this striking contrast:
We have not come to Mount Sinai—a place of fear, fire, and trembling.
No, we have come to Mount Zion, the city of the Living God, the heavenly Jerusalem… to Jesus, whose blood speaks of redemption and adoption.
When we receive His blood, we’re not just saved—we’re brought into alignment with the King and His Kingdom. And we’re not alone. We are surrounded by the great cloud of witnesses. We are welcomed into a family. That’s encouraging!
But then… it gets even better.
Revelation 21 paints a breathtaking picture:
“And I, John, saw the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband… and God Himself shall be with them… and God shall wipe away all tears… and there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Revelation 21:2–4)
That blew me away.
We are part of that city.
We, who were once outsiders, are now the Bride of Messiah.
We are adopted, grafted in, and chosen by God to live with Him and have meals with Him forever.
We belong.
This all ties beautifully into the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), the grand culmination of the biblical fall feasts. During Sukkot, every Jewish family builds a sukkah—a decorated tent or temporary shelter—and they live in it for a week. They eat, sleep, and gather together, remembering how God dwelt among their ancestors in the wilderness.
They recall how He fed them, gave them water, and preserved their clothing and shoes for forty years. It was a time of miraculous provision, intimacy, and presence.
Sukkot is prophetic. It points forward to a time when God Himself will once again dwell with us. And as Gentile believers, we’re not excluded from that promise. We’re part of it.
As I sing Psalm 122, I’m not just singing about ancient Israel.
I’m remembering God’s faithfulness to His people—and claiming my identity as one who has been brought near. I am one of those pilgrims, ascending to worship the King.
Psalm 122 is one of the Songs of Ascents—fifteen psalms that formed a musical journey for those traveling to Jerusalem, especially during the Feast of Tabernacles. In fact, theywere likely first performed at the dedication of Solomon’s Temple—which took place during Sukkot!
This song feels more relevant than ever—especially in light of Hebrews and Revelation:
“We are come to the heavenly city of God…” (Hebrews)
“…prepared as a bride for her husband, adorned…” (Revelation)
“And a heavenly voice cries, Behold! The dwelling of God is with man…”
And let’s not forget Zechariah 14:16–17, where Gentiles from around the world are called to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles together with Israel. This is not just historical or future—it’s now.
My brothers and sisters,
We are no longer outsiders.
We are fully part of God’s Kingdom, living in His presence, doing His works, and preparing for the day He dwells with us forever.
Let’s journey there—together.
