Psalm 122 ~ The house of the Lord

Garden of Gethsemane


Psalm 122
1 I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD."
2 Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together.
4 That is where the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, to praise the name of the LORD according to the statute given to Israel.
5 There the thrones for judgment stand, the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May those who love you be secure.
7 May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels."
8 For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, "Peace be within you."

The Olive Tree ~ It is interesting that the trees are claimed to go back to the time of Jesus. They could be the same olive trees at the time of Christ, but are reported by Josephus that the Romans tore down every tree during the invasion of Jerusalem in 70 AD. There are trees today - for new shoots come forth from apparently dead roots - that are actual horticultural studies show to be 1800 years old.

Olive trees can be a wild thing without cultivation, but after long, patient culturing, it becomes productive. It continues to be productive, with age ( which is a gift of the Holy Spirit) .
Olive oil was the substance of light in Israel. Olive lamps, provided, even in a darkened room, light. Not only all this, but the balming influence, the soothing, salving influence of oil, was well known. The olives had to be crushed with huge stones to bring the oil out.

Jesus prayed in this garden. This garden is a symbol of the Light of the World, seeking the Father before bringing forgiveness from sins. When the forgiveness of God was given, the temple building wasn't as important as being a temple ourselves for the Holy Spirit. The olive trees in Gethesemane today are symbolic of the the joy, the oil of gladness and the olive branch.