I Was Glad

I Was Glad

Text: Psalm 122:1–9

Psalm 122:1–9 NKJV

1 I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord.” 2 Our feet have been standing Within your gates, O Jerusalem! 3 Jerusalem is built As a city that is compact together, 4 Where the tribes go up, The tribes of the Lord, To the Testimony of Israel, To give thanks to the name of the Lord. 5 For thrones are set there for judgment, The thrones of the house of David. 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you. 7 Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces.” 8 For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, “Peace be within you.” 9 Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek your good.

Theme: The joy, unity, and blessing found in gathering in the presence of God.

INTRODUCTION

There are some statements in Scripture that strike the heart immediately — short in wording, but deep in meaning. Psalm 122 begins with one such statement:

“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.”

Anybody can rejoice over a new job, shout over a raise, be excited over a vacation — but a believer should have a unique joy when it’s time to be in God’s presence and among God’s people. For David, the house of the Lord was not a duty — it was a delight. Worship wasn’t a burden — it was a blessing.

We live in a generation where enthusiasm for church has cooled for many. People get excited about football games, concerts, shopping malls, and travel — but somewhere between the week and Sunday morning we lose gladness about God’s house. But this Psalm tells us what worship should feel like. It reminds us what church should mean.

So today we lift the declaration of David — “I was glad.”

🔹 Verse 1 — The Glad Invitation

“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.”

David learned the secret of joy — gladness grows when worship becomes invitation, not obligation. He didn’t say “I was pressured, I was begged, I was dragged.” He said “I was glad.”

Church attendance shouldn’t be a chore — it should be a celebration.

Cross References

Psalm 84:10 — “For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand.”

Hebrews 10:25 — “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together…”

Modern Illustration Think of the excitement people feel when they get tickets to see their favorite team play. They show up early, shout loudly, and spend freely — because they love the experience. David tells us: worship should carry an even deeper excitement — because God is greater than any game.

Verse 2 — The Joy of Arrival

“Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.”

David rejoices not just in going, but in arriving. There is something about stepping into the atmosphere of worship — burdens lift, hope rises, peace settles.

Cross References

Psalm 16:11 — “In thy presence is fullness of joy…”

Matthew 18:20 — “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst…”

Modern Illustration Hospitals help the physical body. Gyms strengthen muscles. Schools educate the mind. But the house of God heals the soul, restores faith, and renews strength.

Verses 3–4 — The Unity of Worship

“Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together: Whither the tribes go up…”

David highlights unity — the tribes came together to worship. What united them wasn’t politics, culture, location, or economics — it was God.

Cross References

Psalm 133:1 — “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”

Acts 2:1 — “They were all with one accord in one place.”

Modern Illustration In a world full of division — race, economics, neighborhoods, and politics — the church should be the one place where we don’t wear labels, we wear love.

Verse 5 — The Government of God

“For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.”

Worship reminds us that God reigns. When life feels unstable, worship grounds us. When the world appears chaotic, we remember God is still on the throne.

Cross References

Isaiah 9:7 — “Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end…”

Psalm 103:19 — “The Lord hath prepared His throne in the heavens…”

Modern Illustration When a country faces uncertainty, people watch the seat of government for stability. But the believer looks to the throne of heaven — where God never loses power, never loses elections, never abdicates His position.

Verses 6–9 — The Prayer for Peace

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem… Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.”

David turns from praise to prayer. It is not enough to enjoy God’s house — we must pray for God’s people.

Cross References

John 14:27 — “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.”

Philippians 4:7 — “The peace of God… shall keep your hearts and minds…”

Modern Illustration A church without peace is like a home without rest — the roof may stand, the lights may work, but there is no safety inside. Therefore, David says: pray for peace, pray for prosperity, pray for unity, pray for God’s presence.

CONCLUSION

Psalm 122 reminds us of three foundational truths:

There is joy in worship — “I was glad…”

There is unity in worship — “the tribes go up…”

There is peace in worship — “pray for the peace of Jerusalem…”

Where there is gladness, unity, and peace — God dwells, and people grow.

CLOSE

I don’t know about anybody here, But I’m glad to be in God’s house!

I was glad… When they woke me up this morning. I was glad… When He gave me strength in my body. I was glad… When He put breath in my lungs. I was glad… When He gave me one more chance.

I was glad… Because some didn’t make it. I was glad… Because some can’t lift their hands. I was glad… Because some wish they could be here, But God let me be here — So I will praise Him while I’m here!

I’m glad… Because the Lord is still good. I’m glad… Because His mercy endures forever. I’m glad… Because His grace never runs out. I’m glad… Because His love never fails.

I was glad when they said unto me — Let us go… Not to the mall… Not to the game… Not to the party…

But to the house of the Lord!

Because in His house I found peace… In His house I found joy… In His house I found comfort… In His house I found strength… In His house I found salvation…

So excuse me if I shout… Excuse me if I lift my hands… Excuse me if I praise Him loud…

Because I was glad! I am glad! And I will keep on being glad…

For this is the day the Lord has made — and I will rejoice and be glad in it!

Somebody shout — “I WAS GLAD!”