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In this third of the Songs of Ascent, we sense excited anticipation. It is entitled, "A Song of Ascents, of David." We can assume therefore that David wrote this one, which is very significant. He says, "I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the LORD.'" Is there anything that is odd about that exclamation? Yes, there is, for David, though he was enthusiastic about building a house for the Lord, was not able to see it happen. Thought the tabernacle, the "Tent of Meeting," was also referred to as the "house of the Lord," the temple had not yet been built. But here, he expresses his delight about going up to the temple in Jerusalem. Therefore, he must have been looking ahead in faith. Why is this important given the context we have been examining with these songs of ascent? Remember that the first two songs were Israel's cry for deliverance from the warlike, deceitful people in their midst, and God's reassurance of His consistent, watchful protection. But this one, the third, is all about the anticipation of building the temple in Jerusalem. David was looking ahead to the very near future, certain that the building process would soon commence. And prophetically, he was looking ahead to our days, when, in the midst of a tense, violent, contentious situation, plans would be made for building once again! We too can be certain the building process will soon commence. As David prays for the peace and prosperity of Jerusalem, a prayer that will be answered, he recalls the instructions that the Lord gave Israel regarding Jerusalem. He is confident that despite the circumstances, these will be carried out. Today, as we look ahead, we have that same confidence, even though Jerusalem has not yet been freed from those arrogant, violent foes who desire to grab her. Notice how this fits the current situation. David said, "Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem." Today, the Jews are standing in the gates of Jerusalem, but they have not yet gone up to the house of the Lord. They cannot now go to the temple mount in triumph, because of the threats of the Palestinians. But the plans are being made, both in heaven and on earth, and once the circumstances turn favorable, the house of the Lord will be built.
Later, in the eighth song of ascent, after the Lord had stood up for Israel during a period of war, and restored the fortunes of Zion, we will see that the house of the Lord is built. But this third song is significant in that it expresses the intention and joyful expectation that the tribes of the Lord will soon "go up" to praise His name there. It is a call to go up to the temple mount, a call to build, and a prayer the peace of Jerusalem. It is not the peace of the "peace process," but the peace that the Lord accomplishes after standing by the side of Israel when she is attacked. We will see this conflict played out in the next three songs of ascent.
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