I Was Glad

(Psalms 122:1-3)

A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. {2} Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. {3} Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:

Introduction:

The enjoyment of going to mom and dad’s house for the holidays or a special occasion … the anticipation of it, the blessing of it in the moment, and the fond reflections of it after the fact. It is something filled with gladness. How much more should the anticipation, and the actuality, and the aftermath of going to God’s house be a glad occasion.

I. We Can Be Glad For The Lord’s Presence

A. Because Of His Presence There Is Movement Towards The House

(Psalms 122:1) I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

go – Hebrew 3212. yalak, yaw-lak'; a prim. root [comp. H1980]; to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively it means to carry (in various senses). It is also translated in the Old Testament as “bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, follow, lead (forth), march, pursue, cause to run, take away ([-journey]), (cause to) walk (-ing).

B. Behold His Presence – He Is The Master Of The House

(Psalms 122:1) I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

II. We Can Be Glad For The Lord’s Praise

A. There Is Praise Manifested In The Gladness

(Psalms 122:1) I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

glad – Hebrew 8056. sameach, saw-may'-akh; from H8055; blithe or gleeful:--(be) glad, joyful, (making) merry ([-hearted]), rejoice (-ing).

B. There Is Praise Manifested In The Gates

(Psalms 122:2) Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.

Gates are often associated with the idea of praise.

(Psalms 9:14) That I may show forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.

(Psalms 24:7) Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

(Psalms 24:9) Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

(Psalms 100:4) Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

(Psalms 118:19-21) Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: {20} This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter. {21} I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.

(Isaiah 60:18) Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.

gates – Hebrew 8179. sha'ar; from H8176 in its original sense; an opening, i.e. door or gate (into the city); a port or portal.

In these verses, it seems to have the idea of being an entryway into the environment of praise.

III. We Can Be Glad For The Lord’s People

A. Notice The Formation Of His People

(Psalms 122:3) Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:

builded – Hebrew 1129. banah; a prim. root; to build (used both literally and figuratively). The word is also translated in the Old Testament as “obtain children, make, repair, set (up).”

David didn’t say that the city of people is torn down, but that it is “builded.” And that is why we come to the Lord’s house … to be builded. Jesus said, “I will build my church.”

B. Notice The Fellowship Of His People

(Psalms 122:3) Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:

compact – Hebrew 2266. chabar; a primary root word meaning to join (literally or figuratively). The word is also translated in the Old Testament as “couple (together), have fellowship with, heap up, join (self, together), league.”

And they are not joined together or assembled or compacted for the purpose of conflict, but they are joined “together,” in unity.

together – Hebrew 3162. yachad; from H3161; properly it means a unit, i.e. (adv.) unitedly. Also translated as “alike, at all (once), both, likewise, only, withal.”

Conclusion:

“Happiness Is The Lord”

Ira F. Stanphill was born in Belview, New Mexico, in 1914. He has written more than 550 songs, the most popular of which are “Mansion over the Hilltop,” “Room at the Cross,” and, of course, “Happiness Is the Lord.”

On any number of occasions the Lord has given a song to a songwriter when he or she least expected it. Such was the case of Ira Stanphill one afternoon in 1974 after he left the church office where he was pastor in Fort Worth, Texas.

The car radio was on, and as he rode along he listened to some commercial programs. Some were sponsored by establishments that advertised their “happy hour” and their alcoholic beverages. He also heard cigarettes being advertised in terms of how they bring happiness.

The word happiness was used several times in the ads. Ira related to me that he thought at the time that “happiness does not come with these things, but with knowing Christ.” He continued, “As this thought really took over my mind I began to sing. I sang a new song, composing words and melody as I drove along. I sang it almost as it is published today.”

Happiness is to know the Savior,

Living a life within His favor,

Having a change in my behavior

Happiness is the Lord.

—Lindsay Terry

Knowing Christ and going to His house should make us glad!