Psalms 122:9
Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.
Original Language Analysis
לְ֭מַעַן
H4616
לְ֭מַעַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
1 of 7
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
בֵּית
Because of the house
H1004
בֵּית
Because of the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
2 of 7
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יְהוָ֣ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 7
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ
our God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ
our God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
4 of 7
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אֲבַקְשָׁ֖ה
I will seek
H1245
אֲבַקְשָׁ֖ה
I will seek
Strong's:
H1245
Word #:
5 of 7
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
Cross References
Nehemiah 2:10When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.Psalms 69:9For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.Psalms 84:10For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.Psalms 26:8LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.Nehemiah 13:14Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof.1 Chronicles 29:3Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house,John 2:17And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.Esther 10:3For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.
Historical Context
The temple represented God's presence among His people and the means of atonement. Without the temple, Israel lacked central worship, sacrifice, and the visible manifestation of God's dwelling. Thus seeking Jerusalem's good was essential to spiritual life. For Christians, God dwells in the church corporately (1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 2:21-22), making love for the body of Christ similarly essential.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the presence of 'the house of the LORD' make Jerusalem worthy of devoted seeking?
- What does it mean to actively 'seek good' for God's people rather than just wish them well?
- In what ways does love for God necessarily produce love for His dwelling place (the church)?
- How has the significance of 'house of the LORD' shifted from temple to church to heavenly Jerusalem?
- What practical steps constitute 'seeking the good' of your local church and the universal church?
Analysis & Commentary
The psalm concludes with ultimate motivation: 'Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.' The phrase 'because of' establishes causation - the house of God provides the fundamental reason for seeking Jerusalem's good. God's presence in the temple makes Jerusalem worthy of devotion. The possessive 'our God' emphasizes covenant relationship; the God who dwells there belongs to His people, and His people belong to Him. The commitment 'I will seek thy good' goes beyond passive wishing to active pursuit of welfare. Seeking good involves prayer, support, defense, and sacrifice for Jerusalem. This verse demonstrates that love for God's dwelling place flows from love for God Himself. We care about what God cares about; we invest in His purposes. Geography matters because theology matters - where God has chosen to dwell, His people must prioritize.