The Nugget:
Psalm 122:6. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. (KJV)
My Comment:
I stated in Part 1:
Psalm 122:6 is not a controversial verse for those who have studied and understood the Bible correctly. But there are many today who find the idea uncomfortable that we should pray for the peace of Jerusalem as well as pray for our own political leadership in these currently very troubled times. Many, including the Pope, believe such prayers are mistaken.
It is most clear that the Bible tells us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem in Psalm 122:6.
Is there a basis to assert that the Bible tells us to pray for our political and governmental leaders? Absolutely! Read 1 Timothy 2:1, 2, 3, 4.
1Ti 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
1Ti 2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
1Ti 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (KJV)
1Ti 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
1Ti 2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
1Ti 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (ESV)
I would think that any careful Bible reader would understand that Paul urges us to pray “for kings and all the ones being in high position, that we may lead a tranquil and quiet existence in all godliness and dignity” (LITV, Literal Translation of the Bible).
That there are many, including the Pope, who believe such prayers are mistaken, are proven mistaken because such a belief directly contradicts the plain statements in Scripture which I have cited. Think otherwise? Post a comment and say so!
Now, getting back to Psalm 122:6. A deeper study of this passage is possible using the cross reference method of Bible study.
Dig deeper into Psalm 122:6 by reading and studying the cross references as given in:
A. The original Treasury of Scripture Knowledge:
Psalm 122:6. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
Psalms 122:6
Pray: Psa 51:18, Psa 137:6, 7; Jer 51:50; Jhn 17:21; Eph 4:3; 2Th 3:16
they shall: Gen 12:3; Num 24:9; 1Jn 3:14
B. The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:
Psalms 122:6
Pray for. Psa 25:22; *Psa 51:18; Psa 137:6, 7, Gen 24:12, Est 7:3, ***Isa 62:1; ***Isa 62:6; ***Isa 62:7, Jer 15:5; Jer 51:50, Ezk 24:25, *Dan 6:10, +*Zec 12:10, Luk 14:32, *Jhn 17:20; *Jhn 17:21, +*Jas 1:17; Jas 4:17.
the peace. Psa 122:7, Psa 25:22; Psa 125:5; Psa 133:1; Psa 147:14, 1Sa 25:6, 1Ki 8:66, Est 10:3, Jer 31:23, Ezk 38:16, *Dan 9:17, +Rom 5:1, Eph 4:3; Eph 6:23, 2Th 3:16.
of Jerusalem. T1568, *Psa 51:18; +*Psa 102:16; Psa 128:5; *Psa 129:5; Psa 137:5; +*Psa 147:2, +Jos 10:1, Neh 1:2; Neh 2:10; Neh 2:12, Isa 2:3; Isa 4:3, 4; +**Isa 24:23; Isa 40:9; +Isa 51:11; *Isa 52:9; *Isa 52:10; Isa 62:1; Isa 65:18, 19, *Jer 3:17; Jer 31:23, Dan 9:16, Jol 3:17, Zec 1:12, 13; *Zec 2:10, 11, 12, 13; Zec 8:3; Zec 8:15.
they shall. +**Gen 12:3; Gen 18:18, Num 24:9, +Mat 5:9, 1Jn 3:14.
prosper. +Psa 1:3; +*Psa 37:9; Psa 128:5, +Deut 29:9, Neh 2:20; Neh 13:14, Job 36:11, %Lam 1:5.
that love thee. +*Psa 15:4; %+*Psa 83:3, +Jdg 5:31, 1Ki 5:7, 1Ch 29:3, Song 7:12, *Isa 66:10, 1Jn 3:14.
What is the strongest textual proof from the New Testament that Israel will convert to the Lord Jesus Christ. I am open to learning more on the subject as I have not come to any definite conclusion.
Dear Andre Pickens,
To answer your question, I would first suggest that Romans 11:26 is a good place to start.
Romans 11:26. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
all Israel. This is a direct reference to the future conversion of the Jews in the land of Israel, and has nothing to do with “spiritual Israel” or the church in this age, as proven by Paul’s citation of Messianic prophecy later in this verse from Isa 59:19, 20.
Isa 59:19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.
Isa 59:20 And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.
“The Redeemer” is a reference to the Messiah. The Messiah is our Lord Jesus Christ.
Luke 24:21
21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.
King James Version
Notice what Jesus told the woman at the well in John 4:25, 26.
John 4:25. The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”
John 4:26. Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”
John 8:24. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins, for if you do not believe that I am he, you will die in your sins.”
Text-Critical English New Testament
An interesting aspect of this is that when Paul speaks of the Messiah, the Deliverer, he mentions that the Messiah “will remove ungodliness from Jacob.” There is an interesting verse at Psalm 130:8 which speaks of this:
Psalm 130:8. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
Other passages confirm this:
Isaiah 60:21
21 Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.
King James Version
Matthew 1:21
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
King James Version
There is always much more! These are the key highlights that come immediately to my mind in answer to your very good question