The Lord’s servant sings of the City of Habitation to which he journeys

David, although a king, was stirred to attend the ordinances of the church by fellow worshippers or friends. This instructs us to exhort one another to this holy duty and privilege, and seek to promote gladness in the lives of others. The contents of the psalm go beyond the Old Testament dispensation, and teach us of the delight that should be ours in attending the worship in a Gospel church. To stand within the gates of the city of God, and enjoy membership of it, is an unparalleled blessing. 

It is not irksome for the believer to be subject to the thrones of judgment within the church. Elders sit thereon for the good of the church, but it also has this thought which looks heavenward, where we shall sit with Christ ruling and judging. 

Love for the church will bring prosperity to the church and to one’s own soul. To seek good for the church will also bring good to our souls, and to seek peace for our brethren will bring peace into our lives. Love, prosperity, good and peace, what a catalogue of desires should move our prayers.

Pastor Jeff O’ Neil

Recommended Tune: Azmon

Psalm 12

¹I joy’d when to the house of GOD,
Go up, they said to me.
²Jerusalem, within thy gates
Our feet shall standing be.

³Jerus’lem, as a city, is
Compactly built together:
⁴Unto that place the tribes go up,
The tribes of GOD go thither:

To Isr’el’s testimony, there
To GOD’s name thanks to pay.
⁵For thrones of judgment, ev’n the thrones
Of David’s house, there stay.

⁶Pray that Jerusalem may have
Peace and felicity:
Let them that love thee and thy peace
Have still prosperity.

⁷Therefore I wish that peace may still
Within thy walls remain,
And ever may thy palaces
Prosperity retain.

⁸Now, for my friends’ and brethren’s sakes,
Peace be in thee, I’ll say.
⁹And for the house of God our LORD,
I’ll seek thy good alway.

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