Jerusalem a type of the Church.
That which is said or implied here of Jerusalem is appropriate in a symbolic sense to the New Jerusalem, the Church of the living God.
I. FOR THE CHURCH IS AS A CITY.
1. Built. The result of thought and toil and care.
2. As Jerusalem, a captured city. It was once the home of all heathen abomination, but by David it was won for God. So the Church is a captured city, a trophy of God's omnipotent grace.
3. Has walls and bulwarks. Jerusalem had (Psalms 122:7). So the Church (Isaiah 26:1). The Spirit, the Word, and the work of God in human hearts, these are her defenses.
4. And palaces. There were many of these in Jerusalem. The palaces of the Church are those spiritual privileges which those who are high in the favor of God are permitted to enjoy.
II. HER PEOPLE. Those who love God's worship, who love to be asked to go to the house of the Lord, and also to ask others. These are they in whom the Spirit of God dwells, and who are the people of the city of God.
III. SHE IS CHARACTERIZED BY UNITY, ORDER, STRENGTH. (Psalms 122:3, "compact together.") For Jerusalem this was inevitably so by reason of the site on which she stood, which allowed no room for indefinite enlargement (see Exposition; and Stanley's 'Sinai and Palestine'). And so when the Church of God has attained to its perker form, the divisions and discords, the disorder and consequent weakness, which too much characterize the Church now, shall all have disappeared. And even now there are Christian Churches which, by reason of their peace and unity and order, are strong—are as a city compact together.
IV. SHE IS THE CENTER OF UNITY FOR OTHERS. (Psalms 122:4.) Jerusalem and the temple were, in Israel's best days, the rallying-point of all her tribes. The strength which this gave them excited the jealousy of Jeroboam, and caused him to set up the rival worship of Samaria. And to-day the Church is the real bond of nations, and is becoming increasingly so.
V. THIS UNITY OF THOSE WHO GATHER TO HER IS A WITNESS FOR GOD, AND RENDERS HIM PRAISE. The gathering of the tribes of the Lord (Psalms 122:4) at the great annual festivals bore testimony to all men that Israel was the covenant people of God, and that they rejoiced therein; thus they rendered praise to the Name of the Lord. And the united companies of believers bear a like testimony and render like praise.
VI. JUDGMENT JUST AND RIGHTEOUS GOES FORTH FROM HER. (Psalms 122:5.) From the judgment-thrones of the princes of the royal house went forth the decisions which the people obeyed in all matters on which judgment had been given. So today, from the real Church of God goes forth that law which hinds or looses the consciences of men. This is "the power of the keys" which Christ has given to his Church. What she says today all peoples will sooner or later accept as right and true. They may resist, but ere long they will yield. God wills it so.
VII. SHE IS TO BE DEVOTEDLY LOVED AND PRAYED FOR. (Psalms 122:6-9.) For God the Lord dwells within her (Psalms 122:9). All her excellence, authority, and strength are because of this, and only this. Do our feet stand within her gates?—S.C.