A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

PSALMS 122:1KJV
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Psalms 122:1 (KJV)

What does Psalms 122:1 mean?

Psalms 122:1 describes the speaker’s happiness at an invitation to join others in going to the LORD’s house. The verse presents the journey to that place of worship as something the speaker welcomes.

The heading names David, so the speaker’s words are presented as his. “They said unto me” places other people at the beginning of the scene, while “let us go” includes both the speaker and those who invited him.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 122:1

  • “degrees” — מַעֲלוֹת (maʿalot): The word can mean “ascents” or “goings up.” “A Song of degrees” is often understood as a song connected with going up to Jerusalem.
  • “house” — בַּיִת (bayit): The word means a house or dwelling place. In “the house of the LORD,” it refers to the place associated with worship of the LORD.
  • “LORD” — יְהוָה (YHWH): This is God’s personal name in Hebrew. The KJV uses “LORD” in capital letters to represent that name.

Why Psalms 122:1 matters

  • The invitation has a destination, not merely a direction. “The house of the LORD” points to a particular place of worship, and verse 2 places the speakers in Jerusalem.
  • The opening looks back on an invitation already given. “I was glad when they said” introduces the journey through the speaker’s remembered response.
  • The song’s heading connects the invitation with a wider collection of songs called “Songs of degrees.” That label helps place the verse among songs associated with going up to Jerusalem.

Where else these words appear

“degrees” Hebrew H4609 · used in 39 verses

  • Exodus 20:26 Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.
  • Nehemiah 12:37 And at the fountain gate, which was over against them, they went up by the stairs of the city of David, at the going up of the wall, above the house of David, even unto the water gate eastward.
  • Psalms 133:1 A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

“Song” Hebrew H7892 · used in 87 verses

  • Genesis 31:27 Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?
  • Psalms 18:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said, I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.
  • Psalms 127:1 A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

“glad” Hebrew H8055 · used in 145 verses

  • Exodus 4:14 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart.
  • Psalms 33:21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
  • Proverbs 17:21 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.