Psalms 122:6
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
Psalms 122:6
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” turns from leadership to intercession. The psalmist calls the people to pray for the city’s peace, a holistic peace including security, harmony, and well-being. The Jerusalem in view encompasses political stability, religious flourishing, and societal flourishing. The reciprocal promise—prosperity for those who love the city—reflects covenant logic: loyalty to God’s city yields tangible blessings. Prayer for peace is not passive; it is active, purposeful, and communal, recognizing that the health of the city affects the people of God.
The verse highlights prayer as a communal responsibility with eschatological overtones. Peace for Jerusalem implies a wider shalom—justice, safety, and well-being that flow from fidelity to God. It also reveals God’s desire for the flourishing of his people in place, a theme echoed in the prophets and reaffirmed in the New Testament as the gospel expands to all nations. The promise to those who love the city ties love of God to neighbor-love and fidelity to God’s purposes in the land.
Today, this calls for intentional, informed intercession for local and global cities. Practical steps: pray regularly for leaders, educators, and first responders; support peace-building initiatives; invest in community relations and reconciliation efforts; advocate for policies that promote justice and safety. If you live in an urban area or work in city governance, consider partnerships with churches and NGOs to promote social cohesion, crime prevention, and equitable access to resources. Let love for your city translate into concrete acts of service and advocacy that reflect God’s longing for shalom.
Cross-References: Psalm 21:2; Psalm 34:14; Jeremiah 29:7; Isaiah 52:7; Romans 12:18