Bible Strands
Psalms 122:5
For there the thrones of judgment stand, the thrones of the house of David.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem for corporate worship. The speaker identifies the city as the established location for royal and judicial authority.
The words — כִסְא֣וֹת (kis'ot) means "thrones" and appears twice to stress institutional permanence. לְ/מִשְׁפָּ֑ט (le/mishpat) translates as "for judgment," defining the function of these seats.
The thread — This judicial theme runs in Deuteronomy 17:8, which directs difficult cases to central adjudication, and 2 Chronicles 19:8, where Jehoshaphat appoints judges in Jerusalem. The Davidic throne motif parallels Deuteronomy 17:18, where a king sits on his royal throne to study the law.
Why it lands — The text states that Jerusalem houses the thrones of judgment and the house of David. It requires readers to acknowledge the city as the center of legal authority and to align their conduct with established judgment.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 17:8 If a case is too difficult for you to judge, whether the controversy within your gates is regarding bloodshed, lawsuits, or assaults, you must go up to the place the LORD your God will choose.
- 2 Chronicles 19:8 Moreover, Jehoshaphat appointed in Jerusalem some of the Levites, priests, and heads of the Israelite families to judge on behalf of the LORD and to settle disputes. And they lived in Jerusalem.
- Deuteronomy 17:18 When he is seated on his royal throne, he must write for himself a copy of this instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests.
- 2 Samuel 8:18 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priestly leaders.
- 2 Chronicles 11:22 Rehoboam appointed Abijah son of Maacah as chief prince among his brothers, intending to make him king.