Psalms 122:7
Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.
Original Language Analysis
יְהִֽי
H1961
יְהִֽי
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 5
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
שָׁל֥וֹם
Peace
H7965
שָׁל֥וֹם
Peace
Strong's:
H7965
Word #:
2 of 5
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
בְּחֵילֵ֑ךְ
be within thy walls
H2426
בְּחֵילֵ֑ךְ
be within thy walls
Strong's:
H2426
Word #:
3 of 5
an army; also (by analogy,) an intrenchment
Cross References
John 14:27Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.Psalms 48:3God is known in her palaces for a refuge.James 3:18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.Isaiah 9:7Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.Isaiah 54:13And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.Psalms 48:13Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following.
Historical Context
Jerusalem's walls were rebuilt multiple times after destruction (Nehemiah's walls, Herodian walls). Palaces housed royal administration and symbolized governmental strength. The prayer recognizes that physical structures alone don't ensure safety - God must guard the city (Psalm 127:1).
Questions for Reflection
- How do 'walls' and 'palaces' represent both physical and spiritual realities?
- What is the relationship between external security (walls) and internal order (palaces)?
- Why must we pray for peace and prosperity rather than merely building stronger defenses?
- How does this prayer apply to the church as God's temple today?
- In what ways does political stability serve the spiritual purposes of God's people?
Analysis & Commentary
The prayer for peace continues: 'Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.' The parallelism pairs 'peace' with 'prosperity' and 'walls' with 'palaces' - external defense (walls) and internal structures (palaces) both require divine blessing. Walls provided physical security from enemies, while palaces represented governmental stability and leadership. Peace within walls means safety from external threats; prosperity within palaces suggests wise, just leadership. This verse recognizes that both defensive security and internal governance depend on God. Human walls and palaces cannot guarantee peace or prosperity apart from divine blessing. The prayer implicitly acknowledges that God alone establishes and maintains shalom in His city.