To the captives in Babylon the Prophet Jeremiah had given this charge, Jer. xxix. 7: "And seek µwl shalom, the prosperity of the city, whither I have caused you to be carried captives, and pray unto the Lord for it; for in the prosperity thereof ye shall have prosperity." Was this a duty for the captives? Yes. And is it the duty of every man for his own country! God, nature, common sense, and self-interest say, YES! And what must we think of the wretches who not only do not thus pray, but labour to destroy the public peace, to subvert the government of their country, to raise seditions, and to destroy all its civil and religious institutions? Think of them! Why, that hemp would be disgraced by hanging them.

There is a fine picture given us here of the state of Jerusalem after the restoration of the Jews. The walls were finished, the city rebuilt, beautiful, strong, and regular, the temple and its worship were restored, the courts of justice were re-established, the constituted authorities in Church and state were doing their duty; and God was pouring out his blessing upon all.

Who could see this without praying, May God increase thy peace, and establish thy prosperity for ever!

ANALYSIS OF THE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SECOND PSALM

The psalmist, in the person of the people: - I. Expresses his joy that he might join with the Church in God's service, ver. 1, 2.

II. Commends the Church, under the name of Jerusalem, for her unity, ver. 3; religious worship, ver. 4; civil and ecclesiastical policy, ver. 5.

III. Exhorts all to pray for its peace and prosperity, ver. 6; and puts the form of prayer into their mouths, ver. 7.

IV. Shows his own readiness to do this, and offers up his supplications, ver. 8, 9.

I. The psalmist congratulates himself and the people on the restoration of God's worship: - 1. He expresses his own joy: "I was glad." 2. To hear of the unanimity of the people mutually exhorting each other to it: "When they said unto me." 3. "Let us go into the house of the Lord." Let us all go, hear his word, give him thanks, and make prayers and supplications to him.

II. He commends Jerusalem three ways: - 1. For its unity: it was compact together; it was united in itself; and united, both in politics and religion, in its inhabitants.

2. For its being the place of God's worship: 1. For "thither the tribes go up" thrice in the year, as was ordained, Exod. xxiii. 14, to celebrate their deliverance from Egypt, in keeping the passover. 2. The giving of the law, in the feast of pentecost. 3. Their preservation in the wilderness, in the feast of tabernacles.

These tribes are "the tribes of the Lord." A very honourable title.

"Unto the testimony of Israel." To the ark of the covenant, the pledge of the covenant between God and the people.

The end for which they went up: "To give thanks unto the name of the Lord." 3. He commends Jerusalem for its civil and ecclesiastical policy: 1. "For there are set thrones of judgment." The tribunals and courts of justice are there. 2. "The thrones of the house of David." The court and throne of a legitimate sovereign.

III. He exhorts the tribes to pray for a continuance of its present happy state.

1. "Pray for the peace," &c. It is our duty to pray for the prosperity of the nation and of the Church of God.

2. "They shall prosper that love thee." Those who love both are blessed, those who do not are cursed.

3. And that we may know the prayer that God will hear, he puts one in our mouth, "Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces." It is well to join peace and prosperity together. Peace without prosperity is but a secure possession of misery; and prosperity without peace is but a dubious and uncertain felicity.

1. "Peace be within thy walls." Not only thy fortifications, civil and religious institutions, but also among all thy officers, soldiers, and inhabitants, for they constitute the strength and safety of the kingdom.

2. "And prosperity within thy palaces." In the king's house, his family, his ministers; if there be dissensions there, ruin will soon follow.

IV. The psalmist shows his own readiness to do this.

1. "I will now say, Peace be within thee." So should all the ministers of religion pray.

2. "I will seek thy good." So should the king and every officer of state resolve. All should be united in so good a work. They should not seek their own good, but the good, not the goods, of the people.

For this the psalmist gives these reasons: - 1. "For my brethren and companions' sakes." We are not only subjects of one king, citizens of the same city, but we have all one God and Father.