Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. Psalm 122:6-7 (KJV)
Throughout the past several thousand years, Israel has often been the center of international controversy. It seems as if spiritual battles over that land are still triggering events in world politics today. With this in mind, it is good to be reminded that God tells us to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” in Psalm 122:6, above.
Older translations often complete this verse by saying that God “would prosper those who do so.” The idea that God would make us wealthy for caring for his people is actually a mistranslation of the word shalvah, which doesn’t mean “prosperity,” but actually “ease,” “security” or “freedom from worry.” The NIV now translates this verse in the following way:
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.”
Listen to how the words gently roll off your tongue in Hebrew:
Shalu shalom Yerushalaim, yishla’u ohavaikh.
You can hear the alliteration, as the soft sound of the “sh” is used in the words shalu (ask, pray), shalom (peace), Yerushalaim (Jerusalem), and yishla’u (security, tranquility). You can also sense the closeness of the parallel ideas of shalom (peace, well-being) and shalvah (tranquility, security, ease). The message of the verse is that those who care about God’s children in that troubled land will find tranquility themselves.
Why? God has chosen Israel for a purpose that will not be fulfilled until the end of the age. The people there experience the ongoing struggle within all of humanity, spiritually. They are no better and no worse there than the rest of the world, and when we pray for God’s shalom to be established there, we are praying for ourselves as well.
Sue Cooper says
Dear Lois,
It is all about Loving God with all you heart, with all your mind, and with all your soul,isn’t it? and the outpouring of the Love of God in Jesus when we believe gives us the ability of loving our neighbour as ourself , isn’t it.
Lois, Just listened to Ann and you from A ZOndervan presentation in 2009 (I praise the Lord our God for providing the internet). My knowledge of Jesus has exploded this year. And I often quote you when I say hearing Ray Vander Laan has been like holding a fire hydrant to my lips. I have not long ago started learning biblical Hebrew online (10 lessons praise the Lord) So in my lesson yesterday I was chatting with another student as there was a tech prob. So I said I came from Australia and she asked why had I started the lessons , I said ” I was a Ray VanderLaan fan this year , and she said she is too and that is how she came to learn. She lives in Washington DC. So wonderful to meet others who are Loving finding out the Jewishness of our Lord Jesus. When I teach the children i Christian School Religious classes I have taught the children to greet me and I them with Shalom Yom Tuv. They are eagerly saying it now as soon as I come intot he class. They know that 5 of jesus’ disciples came from Bethsaida and have seen the ruins on screen via one of his DVD’s. It has brought it alive for them, and I praise the Lord that I can convey these things to them. THey know about the marriage and schooling etc. It has enlivened my faith and their understanding. I thank you for all your articles. So I have one Jewish friend ,Praise God for putting her in my life even before I was reeled in by the Lord. I hope to be able to talk more with them now. I Thank you in Christ Lois. Shalom Sue
Drew Bennett says
Just FYI your Bible verse on this is wrong. It is Psalm 122:6-7 not 112:6-7. Psalm 112:6-7(KJV) is the following verse “6 Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. 7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.” I thought you might just want to know that.
Lois Tverberg says
Thanks for pointing this out – I fixed it.