Pray the Psalms: Psalm 122

[MUSIC PLAYING] Hi, it’s Rick Hamlin. Trivia question– what song was sung at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton? Psalm 122. This text was set to music by Hubert Parry way back in 1902 two for the coronation of Edward VII, and it’s such a glorious text in a sort of bombastic piece of music. I mean, Kate Middleton used it as she’s walking down the aisle, but its text makes so much sense for a big ceremonial event. It was also used at the wedding of the current Prince of Wales and Princess Diana. 

So I was glad when they said unto me we will go into the house of the Lord. And then that wonderful line– “pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper that love thee. They shall prosper in plentiousnessss that’s how it’s used in the Hubert Parrier– “plenty within thy walls, within thy palaces.” Plentiousness within thy palaces. 

So it’s full of these rich things. What do you want? You want peace and prosperity in any life, in any marriage, in any kingdom. So the language might be about Jerusalem, but it’s about any city and any people. And the key to it is always “they shall prosper who love thee. If you love God, you shall have this sort of prosperity and prosperity coming and a time of peace. 

What a wonderful thing to sing at a wedding. Maybe someone will sing it at your wedding, your children’s wedding, your grandchildren’s wedding. I’ve sung it in church, and I still always feel glad when I sing that. I was glad when they said unto me. 

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