1 A song of degrees of Dauid. I was glad when they sayd vnto me: Let vs goe into the house of the Lord.
2 Our feete shall stand within thy gates, O Ierusalem.
3 Ierusalem is builded as a citie, that is compact together:
4 Whither the tribes goe vp, the tribes of the Lord, vnto the testimonie of Israel: to giue thankes vnto the name of the Lord.
5 For there are set thrones of iudgment: the thrones of the house of Dauid.
6 Pray for the peace of Ierusalem: they shall prosper that loue thee.
7 Peace be within thy walles: and prosperitie 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 seeke thy good.
Esteem for Jerusalem. (1-5) Concern for its welfare. (6-9)
1-5 The pleasure and profit from means of grace, should make us disregard trouble and fatigue in going to them; and we should quicken one another to what is good. We should desire our Christian friends, when they have any good work in hand, to call for us, and take us with them. With what readiness should we think of the heavenly Jerusalem! How cheerfully should we bear the cross and welcome death, in hopes of a crown of glory! Jerusalem is called the beautiful city. It was a type of the gospel church, which is compact together in holy love and Christian communion, so that it is all as one city. If all the disciples of Christ were of one mind, and kept the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, their enemies would be deprived of their chief advantages against them. But Satan's maxim always has been, to divide that he may conquer; and few Christians are sufficiently aware of his designs.
6-9 Those who can do nothing else for the peace of Jerusalem, may pray for it. Let us consider all who seek the glory of the Redeemer, as our brethren and fellow-travellers, without regarding differences which do not affect our eternal welfare. Blessed Spirit of peace and love, who didst dwell in the soul of the holy Jesus, descend into his church, and fill those who compose it with his heavenly tempers; cause bitter contentions to cease, and make us to be of one mind. Love of the brethren and love to God, ought to stir us up to seek to be like the Lord Jesus in fervent prayer and unwearied labour, for the salvation of men, and the Divine glory.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.