Psalms 122:3

3 Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together.

Psalms 122:3 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
3 Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:
English Standard Version (ESV)
3 Jerusalem--built as a city that is bound firmly together,
New Living Translation (NLT)
3 Jerusalem is a well-built city; its seamless walls cannot be breached.
The Message Bible (MSG)
3 Jerusalem, well-built city, built as a place for worship!
American Standard Version (ASV)
3 Jerusalem, that art builded As a city that is compact together;
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
3 Jerusalem is built to be a city where the people are united.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
3 Jerusalem, built as a city [should be], solidly joined together,
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
3 Jerusalem is built like a city where everything is close together.

Psalms 122:3 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 122:3

Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together.
] In David's time the upper and lower city were joined together, the streets regularly built, the houses contiguous, not straggling about, here and there one F3. So the church of God, like that, is built in a good situation, on a rock and hill, where it is firm and visible; like a city full of inhabitants, governed by wholesome laws, under proper officers; a free city, which enjoys many privileges and immunities; a well fortified one, having salvation for walls and bulwarks about it; a royal city, the city of the great King, the city of our God, the name of which is "Jehovahshammah", the Lord is there: and this is "compact together" when its citizens are united in affection to one another; agree in their religious sentiments; join in social worships, and live in subjection to one Head and King, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Jews often speak, and so some of their commentators on this passage, of a Jerusalem above and below, and of the one being made like unto the other: so the Targum,

``Jerusalem is built in the firmament as a city, as Jerusalem on earth;''

see ( Galatians 4:26 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F3 Hecataeus, an Heathen writer, describes Jerusalem as a strong fortified city, fifty furlongs in circumference; and inhabited by twelve myriads, or a hundred and twenty thousand men. Vid. Euseb. Praepar. Evangel. l. 9. c. 4.

Psalms 122:3 In-Context

1 I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.”
2 Our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together.
4 That is where the tribes go up— the tribes of the LORD— to praise the name of the LORDaccording to the statute given to Israel.
5 There stand the thrones for judgment, the thrones of the house of David.
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