Psalms 122:7 — Word Study
WLCיְהִֽי־ שָׁל֥וֹם בְּחֵילֵ֑ךְ שַׁ֝לְוָ֗ה בְּאַרְמְנוֹתָֽיִךְ׃
BSAMay there behâyâh▸ [true and lasting] peaceshâlôwm [shalom, completeness and wellness] within your wallschêyl [rampart, strong fortress] [and] prosperityshalvâh [abundant, ease, quietness and wealth] inside your fortressesʼarmôwn [high and fortified, citadel, palace]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| יְהִֽי־ | may it be | Verb, Qal, jussive third person masculine singular |
| שָׁל֥וֹם | peace | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| בְּחֵילֵ֑ךְ | in rampart your | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| שַׁ֝לְוָ֗ה | ease | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| בְּאַרְמְנוֹתָֽיִךְ׃ | in fortresses your | Preposition, noun common feminine plural construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | May there be peace within your walls, and prosperity inside your fortresses.” |
| KJV | Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. |
| ASV | Peace be within thy walls, And prosperity within thy palaces. |
| YLT | Peace is in thy bulwark, rest in thy high places, |
| WEB | Peace be within your walls, and prosperity within your palaces. |
| BBE | May peace be inside your walls, and wealth in your noble houses. |
Translations agree on the meanings of the key terms in this verse.
The sentence features a main clause followed by a conjunction and another main clause, emphasizing the dual desires for peace and prosperity.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectשָׁלוֹם
verbהָיָה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 122:7
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — A Prayer for Jerusalemgenerated
Psalms 122:7 is part of a prayer for Jerusalem, where the psalmist asks for peace and prosperity within the city's walls and fortresses. This reflects a deep concern for the well-being of the city, which is central to the psalmist's identity and faith. The surrounding verses emphasize the importance of praying for Jerusalem, as seen in verse 6, where love for the city is linked to prosperity.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Chronicles 12:18 | Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, the chief of the Thirty, and he said: “We are yours, O David! We are with you, O son of Jesse! Peace, peace to you, and peace to your helpers, for your God helps you.” So David received them and made them leaders of his troops. |
| 2 | Isaiah 9:7 | Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this. |
| 3 | Isaiah 54:13 | Then all your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be their prosperity. |
| 4 | John 14:27 | Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid. |
| 5 | James 3:18 | Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — שָׁל֥וֹם, sha.Lomgenerated
The Hebrew word שָׁלוֹם (shalom) conveys a range of meanings including completeness, soundness, welfare, and peace. It is often used to describe a holistic state of well-being, encompassing both physical safety and emotional tranquility.
In this verse, שָׁלוֹם signifies not just the absence of conflict but a deep sense of wellness and harmony, particularly in the context of the community within Jerusalem.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb יְהִֽי־, may it be, governs the entire verse, expressing a wish. The structure features two main subjects: שָׁל֥וֹם (peace) and שַׁ֝לְוָ֗ה (prosperity), which are linked by the conjunction and describe the desired state within the walls and fortresses of Jerusalem.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the desired outcomes, with the subjects appearing prominently at the beginning of the phrases, highlighting their significance in the prayer.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew שָׁלוֹם is rendered as εἰρήνη (eirēnē), which also means peace. This choice maintains the core meaning of the Hebrew while using a term familiar to Greek-speaking audiences.
The translation of שַלְוָה as σου indicates a focus on personal well-being, aligning with the overall theme of prosperity in the verse.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalms 122:7 expresses a prayer for peace and prosperity in Jerusalem. The psalmist wishes for true and lasting peace within the city's walls and abundant prosperity inside its fortresses, highlighting the importance of the city's well-being.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The psalmist uses the word שָׁלוֹם to express a desire for completeness and well-being within Jerusalem, encompassing both physical safety and emotional tranquility.
Prosperity, represented by שַלְוָה, indicates a state of abundance and ease, suggesting that true peace includes material well-being as well as spiritual health.
This verse encapsulates the psalm's focus on the importance of Jerusalem, emphasizing the need for divine blessing and care for the city and its inhabitants.
The prayer reflects a deep concern for community well-being, reminding us of the importance of seeking peace and prosperity not just for ourselves, but for our communities.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I pray for the peace and prosperity of my community?
- How does understanding the meaning of שָׁלוֹם change my perspective on peace?
- What actions can I take to promote well-being in my surroundings?
- How can I apply the principles of this prayer in my daily life?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentators, including Augustine of Hippo, reference this verse to discuss the significance of peace and community in the context of Jerusalem.
"Peace be in your strength" [Psalms 122:7]. O Jerusalem, O city, who art being built as a city,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 122 →
Let them, then, have a bitter sorrow for their former detestable wrongdoing, as Peter had for his cowardly lie, and let them come to the true church, that is, their catholic mother,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 122 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 122:7 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BiblePeace be within thy walls,.... The word say might be supplied; for this, with the following, seem to be petitions the psalmist puts into the mouths of those he desires to pray for Jerusalem's peace;
Read John Gill on Psalms 122 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryPeace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. Peace be within thy walls - thy external circumference.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 122 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleWithin thy walls; in all thy dwellings. Within thy palaces; especially in the court and the dwellings of the princes and rulers, whose welfare is a public blessing to all the people.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 122 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 122:7 Peace be within thy walls, [and] prosperity within thy palaces.Ver. 7. Peace be within thy walls] David had no sooner admonished others of their duty, but himself beginneth to them, Quod iussit et gessit. what he ordered he accomplished.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 122 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(6, 7) It is impossible in English to reproduce the effect of the original in these references to the usual greetings of the East, since at the same time they contain alliterations and a play on the name of Jerusalem. There is first the challenge to the body of pilgrims to give the customary salutation, and then it is taken up in a threefold wish, varied each time. Then follows the reason of this unanimous and hearty prayer: “Ask for the peace of the city of peace; prosperity be to thy lovers, peace within thy walls, prosperity in thy palaces.”
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 122 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 7. Peace be within thy walls] This is the form of prayer that they are to use: "May prosperity ever reside within thy walls, on all the people that dwell there; and tranquillity within thy palaces or high places, among the rulers and governors of the people."
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 122 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges7. walls … palaces] The same words are found in Psalms 48:13. Chçl denotes the outer wall or rampart: armôn includes all conspicuous buildings, such as forts and towers as well as palaces. There is an assonance between the words for ‘peace’ (shâlôm) and ‘prosperity’ (shalvâh) and the name Jerusalem. Whether the name of the city is etymologically connected with the root shlm is doubtful; but the sound of the name suggests the words for peace and prosperity, and the Psalmist prays that the nomen may be an omen, and that Jerusalem may enjoy the peace of which her name is an augury.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 122 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BiblePeace be within thy walls - The word here rendered walls, means properly an host, an army; then a fortification, an entrenchment, especially the ditch or trench with the low wall or breastwork which surrounds it.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 122 →The verse in English, compared — 16 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
May there be peace within your walls, and prosperity inside your fortresses.”
Peace be within your walls, and prosperity within your palaces.
May there be peace within your walls, and prosperity inside your fortresses.”
May there be peace inside your defenses, and prosperity inside your fortresses!
Tyndale line
Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.
Peace be within thy walls, And prosperity within thy palaces.
Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.
Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.
Peace be within thy walles, and prosperitie within thy palaces.
Strictly literal
Peace be within thy bulwarks, prosperity within thy palaces.
Peace is in thy bulwark, rest in thy high places,
Peace is in your bulwark, rest in your high places,
May there be peace within thy walls, prosperity within thy palaces,
May there be peace within the walls that defend you, and may they have peace within your fortresses.”
Simplified
May there be peace within your walls, and safety within your fortresses.
May peace be inside your walls, and wealth in your noble houses.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Dead Sea Scrolls — 11Q5 agree closely, with the essential phrases matching. The Septuagint reflects a similar sentiment but presents the words in a different order, emphasizing its own interpretive style.
יְהִֽי־ שָׁל֥וֹם בְּחֵילֵ֑ךְ שַׁ֝לְוָ֗ה בְּאַרְמְנוֹתָֽיִךְ׃
4 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
יהי שלום בחיל׳ך ושלוה בארמונותי׳ך
5 words on the leather.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 122:7
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be
Qal
Fall out, happen
occur, take place, come about, come to pass
esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass
וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
Come into being, become
abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
sq. prep.
become
sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
sq. pred. adj.
become like
sq. pred. לְ pers.
sq. לְ pred.
oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.
with עַל and לְ
sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)
exist, be in existence
abide, remain, continue
with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie
as copula, joining subj. & pred.
H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen
. occur, take place, come about, come to pass
. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
. sq. prep.
. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
. sq. pred. adj.
. become like
. sq. pred. + לְ pers.
. sq. לְ pred.
. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.
. with עַל and לְ
. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence
. abide, remain, continue
1961 hayah haw-yaw
a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,
come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or
auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,
committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,
fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit
(one-)self, require, X use.
see HEBREW for 01933
הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.
1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) ---
1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass
1a1b) to come about, come to pass
1a2) to come into being, become
1a2a) to arise, appear, come
1a2b) to become
1a2b1) to become
1a2b2) to become like
1a2b3) to be instituted, be established
1a3) to be
1a3a) to exist, be in existence
1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)
1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)
1a3d) to accompany, be with
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about
1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
V-Qal-Juss-3ms — Verb · Qal · jussive third person masculine singularHVqj3ms
שָׁלוֹם (shalom) conveys a range of meanings including completeness, soundness, welfare, and peace. It can refer to physical safety and health, as well as emotional states like tranquility and friendship, particularly in human relationships and with God. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to be complete' and is used in various contexts, including greetings.
שָׁלוֹם 237 n.m. completeness, soundness, welfare, peace
completeness in no.
safety, soundness, in body
welfare, health, prosperity
peace, quiet, tranquility, contentment
peace, friendship
peace from war
as adj. those at peace with him
base
H7965 שָׁלוֹם completeness, soundness, welfare, peace
7965 shalowm shaw-lome'
or shalom {shaw-lome'}; from 7999; safe, i.e. (figuratively)
well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health,
prosperity, peace:--X do, familiar, X fare, favour, + friend,
X great, (good) health, (X perfect, such as be at)
peace(-able, -ably), prosper(-ity, -ous), rest, safe(-ty),
salute, welfare, (X all is, be) well, X wholly.
see HEBREW for 07999
שָׁלוֹם (sha.lom) — peace.
: peace
1) completeness, soundness, welfare, peace
1a) completeness (in number)
1b) safety, soundness (in body)
1c) welfare, health, prosperity
1d) peace, quiet, tranquillity, contentment
1e) peace, friendship
1e1) of human relationships
1e2) with God especially in covenant relationship
1f) peace (from war)
1g) peace (as adjective)
שָׁלוֹם (ye.ho.vah sha.lom) — Peace.
This name means completeness, peace
Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
שָׁלוֹם (sha.lom) — peace: well-being.
: well-being
1) completeness, soundness, welfare, peace
1a) completeness (in number)
1b) safety, soundness (in body)
1c) welfare, health, prosperity
1d) peace, quiet, tranquillity, contentment
1e) peace, friendship
1e1) of human relationships
1e2) with God especially in covenant relationship
1f) peace (from war)
1g) peace (as adjective)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
pes (shalom; eirene):
1. In the Old Testament:
Is a condition of freedom from disturbance, whether outwardly, as of a nation from war or enemies, or inwardly, within the soul. The Hebrew word is shalom (both adjective and substantive), meaning, primarily, "soundness," "health," but coming also to signify "prosperity," well-being in general, all good in relation to both man and God. In early times, to a people harassed by foes, peace was the primary blessing. In Ps 122:7, we have "peace" and "prosperity," and in 35:27; 73:3, shalom is translated "prosperity." In 2Sa 11:7 the King James Version, David asked of Uriah "how Joab did" (margin "of the peace of Joab"), "and how the people did (the Revised Version (British and American) "fared," literally, "of the peace of the people"), and…
חֵל (cheyl) refers to a rampart or fortress, emphasizing its defensive qualities. It can also denote an army or a bulwark, indicating a broader military context. The word is built from a root that suggests fortification and protection, appearing in various forms in the Old Testament.
חֵל, חֵיל n.m. rampart, fortress
base
H2426 חֵל, חֵיל rampart, fortress
2426 cheyl khale
or (shortened) chel {khale}; a collateral form of 2428; an
army; also (by analogy,) an intrenchment:--army, bulwark,
host, + poor, rampart, trench, wall.
see HEBREW for 02428
חֵל (chel) — rampart.
1) rampart, fortress, wall
1a) rampart
1b) fortress
Also means: che.lah (חֵילָה "bulwark" H2430)
Prep | N-ms | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncmsc/Sp2fs
The Hebrew word שַׁלְוָה (*shalvah*) is built from the root שָׁלַו (*shalav*), meaning to be at ease. It encompasses meanings such as quietness, ease, and prosperity. The entries collectively highlight its association with both genuine and false security.
שַׁלְוָה n.f. quietness, ease
base
H7962 שַׁלְוָה quietness, ease
7962 shalvah shal-vaw'
from 7951; security (genuine or false):--abundance,
peace(-ably), prosperity, quietness.
see HEBREW for 07951
שַׁלְוָה (shal.vah) — ease.
quietness, ease, prosperity
Aramaic equivalent: she.le.vah (שְׁלֵוָה "ease" H7963)
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
ez (sha'anan, shal'anan, chiefly, "at ease"):
Used 19 times in the Old Testament and once in the New Testament, most frequently meaning tranquillity, security or comfort of mind; in an ethical sense, indicating carelessness or indifference with reference to one's moral or religious interests.
The prophet Jeremiah used the phrase as an indication of national or tribal indifference: "Moab hath been at ease from his youth" (Jer 48:11); "I am very sore displeased with the nations that are at ease" (Zec 1:15). Frequent allusions are made also by various prophets to individuals or groups of individuals, as "Woe to them that are at ease in Zion" (Am 6:1); "Rise up, ye women that are at ease" (
אַרְמוֹן (armown) refers to a citadel, castle, or palace, indicating a structure that is elevated or fortified. This term is primarily found in the prophetic books of the Old Testament, particularly in Amos and Jeremiah, and it is noted that it was not used before the royal period. The entries consistently emphasize its meanings related to fortifications and royal residences.
אַרְמוֹן n.m. citadel—citadel, castle, palace, not used before royal period, mostly in prophets, esp. common in Am & Je
base
H759 אַרְמוֹן citadel—citadel, castle, palace, not used before royal period, mostly in prophets, esp. common in Am & Je
759 'armown ar-mone'
from an unused root (meaning to be elevated); a citadel (from
its height):--castle, palace. Compare 2038.
see HEBREW for 02038
אַרְמוֹן (ar.mon) — citadel: palace.
: palace
citadel, palace, fortress
Also means: ar.mon (אַרְמוֹן ": fortress" H0759H)
אַרְמוֹן (ar.mon) — citadel: fortress.
: palace
citadel, palace, fortress
A sub-meaning of ar.mon (אַרְמוֹן ": palace" H0759)
Prep | N-mp | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine plural construct · suffixHR/Ncfpc/Sp2fs