Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 122:3
Jerusalem is built as a city that is compact together:
3. The exclamation of the pilgrims. Jerusalem that art built up as a city which is compacted together, lit. joined together for itself. This is generally understood to refer to the restoration of the city: the walls have been rebuilt, the ruined houses repaired, the gaps and vacant spaces filled up; the city once more presents an aspect of unity, continuity, solidity, widely different from the dilapidated condition in which Nehemiah found it (Neh 2:17; Neh 7:4). But the verb is used metaphorically as well as literally (e.g. Psa 94:20), and it is possible that the sight of the restored city is to the poet’s eye an emblem of the mutual harmony of its inhabitants or of the unity of the nation. Such a sense is suggested by Coverdale’s beautiful rendering that is at unity with itself, which seems to be a paraphrase of the Vulg. cuius participatio eius in idipsum, LXX , ‘whose fellowship is together.’ This rendering however presumes a slightly different reading of the text.
The Targ. interprets the words of the heavenly Jerusalem ‘Jerusalem which is built in the firmament like a city that is united together upon earth.’
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together – literally, joined to itself together; that is, when one part is, as it were, bound closely to another part; not scattered or separate. The walls are all joined together; and the houses are all united to one another so as to make a compact place. The ground occupied by Jerusalem never could be large, as it was surrounded with valleys, except on the north, and hemmed in with hills, so that, from the necessity of the case, when it became the capital of the nation, it was densely crowded. This, moreover, was usual in ancient cities, when they were made compact for the sake of defense and protection.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 3. Jerusalem – compact together.] It is now well rebuilt, every part contributing to the strength of the whole. It is also a state of great political and spiritual union. It is the centre of union to all the tribes, for each tribe has an equal interest in that God who is worshipped there.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Partly in its buildings, which are not dispersed, as they are in villages, nor divided into two cities, as it was before, but united and enlarged, 1Ch 11:7,8; and principally in its government and religion, which was distinct and opposite, before David took the fort of Zion from the Jebusites.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
3-5. compact togetherallparts united, as in David’s time.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together. In David’s time the upper and lower city were joined together, the streets regularly built, the houses contiguous, not straggling about, here and there one c. So the church of God, like that, is built in a good situation, on a rock and hill, where it is firm and visible; like a city full of inhabitants, governed by wholesome laws, under proper officers; a free city, which enjoys many privileges and immunities; a well fortified one, having salvation for walls and bulwarks about it; a royal city, the city of the great King, the city of our God, the name of which is “Jehovahshammah”, the Lord is there: and this is “compact together” when its citizens are united in affection to one another; agree in their religious sentiments; join in social worships, and live in subjection to one Head and King, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Jews often speak, and so some of their commentators on this passage, of a Jerusalem above and below, and of the one being made like unto the other: so the Targum,
“Jerusalem is built in the firmament as a city, as Jerusalem on earth;”
see Ga 4:26.
c Hecataeus, an Heathen writer, describes Jerusalem as a strong fortified city, fifty furlongs in circumference; and inhabited by twelve myriads, or a hundred and twenty thousand men. Vid. Euseb. Praepar. Evangel. l. 9. c. 4.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
3. Jerusalem is built as a city. Here David begins to celebrate the praises of Jerusalem; and he does this with the design of encouraging the people to persevere with uniform steadfastness in their obedience. It was of great importance for the minds of the godly, instead of being drawn hither and thither, to be kept constantly fixed on that city, which was the bond of a holy unity. When the people came to be divided into two bodies, that was the commencement of melancholy devastation. It is not surprising, then, to find David commending with such earnestness the place which God had chosen, knowing, as he did, that the prosperity of the Church depended upon the children of Abraham worshipping God there in purity, according to the appointed observances of the law; and next, upon their acknowledging the royal seat which the same God had erected there by his own authority, and had taken under his own protection When it is said that Jerusalem is built as a city, it is not to be understood as referring only to the walls, or towers, or ditches of that city, but chiefly to the good order and holy polity by which it was distinguished, although I allow that there is some allusion to its ancient state. Salem, indeed, had been a noted town even from the beginning; but when God selected it to be the head of the kingdom, it changed its appearance, and in a manner its nature, so that then it began to deserve the name of a well-regulated city. At first sight it may seem a poor commendation to call Jerusalem a city; but it is to be observed that it is here exhibited as it were standing alone in the whole world — taking the precedence of all other cities, which will in vain attempt to equal it. David, certainly, in thus speaking, does not intend to divest other cities of the rank to which they may be entitled, but he raises Jerusalem higher, that it may appear conspicuous above them all, even as we find Isaiah, (Isa 2:2,) when speaking of mount Zion, asserting that it “shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills.” In that passage the Prophet, to magnify this little hill, brings down the loftiest mountains of the world, that they may not obscure its glory. In like manner David here affirms that Jerusalem is compacted as a city, to induce the faithful, instead of gazing in all directions around them, to rest contented with the city which God had chosen, since they would nowhere find its equal. After having humbled all other cities, he shows, in a few words, the excellence of Jerusalem, representing it as regularly built, or fitly and neatly joined together in all its parts. Some take these words as expressing literally and without figure, that its citizens live together in peace and unity; but I see no impropriety in supposing that they describe, metaphorically, the peaceable state of a city. Thus the mutual concord which reigns among the citizens of a city, and by which they are united to each other, is compared to buildings, compacted together by a skillful and elegant workmanship, so that there is nothing imperfect, in joined together, or rent, but throughout a beautiful harmony’. By this David teaches us, that the Church can only remain in a state of safety when unanimity prevails in her, and when, being joined together by faith and charity, she cultivates a holy unity.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(3) This verse is somewhat perplexing. It is explained to refer either to the rebuilding of the city and reuniting of the parts which had been disconnected in the destruction, or, which is far better (see Introduction), is taken as a rustics impression on first seeing a compact city after being accustomed to straggling villages. The astonishment of Virgils shepherd is aptly compared: Urbem quam dicunt Romam, Melibe putavi, Stultus ego, huic nostr similem. But a far more satisfactory meaning is suggested by the LXX. They (comp. Symmachus) take the word rendered compact as a noun, meaning union. The verse then may run: Jerusalem, the (one) built like a city, union is in it together, i.e., it is the rallying point of all the tribes. (See next verse.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
3. Compact together The city lay in a rocky region, between the valleys of Gihon on the west, and Kidron on the east, with an irregular circumference of (according to Josephus) thirty-three stadia (or a little less than three and four-fifths miles,) of the outer wall. The modern wall is about two and a half miles in circuit. Originally Jerusalem was composed of several sections, particularly the upper end lower city, (the name occurs five times in the Hebrew Bible, in the plural or dual,) lying on uneven ground, unequally fortified, and imperfectly united; but David captured, firmly united, and fortified the whole. 1Ch 11:7 ; 1Ch 11:9. The text, “compact together,” or joined to itself together, probably refers to the means of connexion between the different parts. It may be used, too, to illustrate the spiritual Jerusalem, the Church, “builded together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.” Eph 2:21-22
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 122:3. Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact The verb chaber, denotes the connection or joining of things aptly and closely to each other. Thus it is used of the coupling of the curtains of the tabernacle together, Exo 36:18. Hence it is used to denote the connection and society of friendship, affection, and purpose, Gen 14:3. Hos 4:17. In the place before us, both senses seem to be united. Jerusalem is compact as to its buildings, and the inhabitants of it firmly united by mutual harmony and friendship. Chandler. Mudge renders it: As a city that is placed in the centre of union. Jerusalem, the great seat and centre of religion and justice, was the centre of union to all the tribes; the palace the centre of the city, and the tabernacle of the palace. Blessed and happy is that nation whose prince is the centre of union to his people; and God, or true religion, the common centre and cement both of people and prince. See Delaney’s Life of David, book 2: chap. 12.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
It is pleasant to observe how the Old Testament saints delighted themselves in dwelling upon the praise of their beloved Jerusalem. Beautiful for situation (saith one of them) the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion; God is known in her palaces for a refuge, Psa 48:2-3 . Hence they called it not only the royal city, as containing the throne of judgment; but the holy city, as furnishing a throne of grace. But the chief beauty was the divine presence. And as all this was a type of the gospel church, we ought to take part in this delight, and to consider well our higher privileges in enjoying the reality; Jesus, the desire of all nations, being come, and filling not only the house, but the hearts of his people, by the indwelling residence of his Spirit. Hag 2:7 ; Eph 3:17 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 122:3 Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:
Ver. 3. Jerusalem is builded as a city, &c. ] None such for uniformity of buildings or unanimity of citizens. There is no such oneness in all the world as among true Christians; and this the very heathens observed and commended. As the curtains of the tabernacle were joined by loops, so were they by love. And as the stones of the temple were so close cemented together that they seemed to be all but one stone, so was it among the primitive saints.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
builded: 2Sa 5:9, Eph 2:20, Eph 2:21, Eph 4:4-7, Rev 21:10-27
Reciprocal: Exo 36:10 – General Exo 36:29 – coupled Psa 116:19 – General Phi 1:27 – that ye
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 122:3. Jerusalem is builded as a city, compact together Hebrew, , shechubberah lah, qu conjuncta est sibi, which is united, or, compacted to, or, in itself. The word signifies the connection or joining of things aptly and closely to each other. Thus it is used of the coupling of the curtains of the tabernacle together, Exo 36:18. Hence it is used to denote the connection and society of friendship, affection, and purpose, Gen 14:3; Hos 4:17. In the place before us, both senses seem to be united. Jerusalem was compact as to its buildings, and the inhabitants of it were firmly united by mutual harmony and friendship. Chandler. This clause is rendered by Mudge, As a city that is placed in the centre of union. Jerusalem, says Dr. Delaney, the great seat and centre of religion and justice, was the centre of union to all the tribes; the palace, the centre of the city; and the tabernacle, of the palace. Blessed and happy is that nation whose prince is the centre of union to his people, and God (that is, true religion) the common centre and cement both of people and prince. Life of David, book 2., chapter 12., page 162.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
122:3 Jerusalem is builded as a city that is {c} compact together:
(c) By the artificial joining and beauty of the houses, he means the peace and love that was between the citizens.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
2. Jerusalem’s privileged condition 122:3-5
God had blessed Jerusalem by giving it a large, compact population. He appointed it the center of national life and worship, to which people from all the tribes of Israel resorted for festive occasions. They also traveled there for judicial verdicts from the righteous king, whom God had provided for His people.