The Meaning of Psalms 122:5 Explained

Psalms 122:5

KJV: For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.

YLT: For there have sat thrones of judgment, Thrones of the house of David.

Darby: For there are set thrones for judgment, the thrones of the house of David.

ASV: For there are set thrones for judgment, The thrones of the house of David.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For there are set  thrones  of judgment,  the thrones  of the house  of David. 

What does Psalms 122:5 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 122:1-9 - Joy In God's House
As in the other psalms of the series there is here alternation between soloist and choir. In Psalms 122:1 the soloist rejoices in the proposal made to go on a pilgrimage. The chorus announces that the journey is already accomplished, Psalms 122:2-5. The Church of Christ is compacted, built together, by His tears, and blood, and risen power. In Psalms 122:6, the soloist bids the company salute Jerusalem, r.v. margin, and the chorus replies. In Psalms 122:7-9 the soloist announces three reasons why they should pray for Jerusalem's peace: They who love her prosper; those who reside within her precincts are our brethren and companions; hers is the house of God builded for His habitation.
Psalms 123:1-4
The life of the pilgrim is full of sharp contrasts. Yesterday he was rejoicing in Jerusalem and sharing her peace; today he is grieved with the contempt of her foes. Hence this tiny psalm, which has been compared to "a sigh, an upward look, a sigh." The oriental servant is an adept at reading the meaning of his master's slightest gesture, Psalms 123:2. Let us live, as our Savior did, with our eye fixed on the least indication of God's will. See Acts 16:1-10. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 122

1  David professes his joy for the church
6  And prays for the peace thereof

What do the individual words in Psalms 122:5 mean?

For there are set thrones for judgment the thrones of the house of David
כִּ֤י שָׁ֨מָּה ׀ יָשְׁב֣וּ כִסְא֣וֹת לְמִשְׁפָּ֑ט כִּ֝סְא֗וֹת לְבֵ֣ית דָּוִֽיד

יָשְׁב֣וּ  are  set 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person common plural
Root: יָשַׁב 
Sense: to dwell, remain, sit, abide.
כִסְא֣וֹת  thrones 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: כִּסֵּא 
Sense: seat (of honour), throne, seat, stool.
לְמִשְׁפָּ֑ט  for  judgment 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine singular
Root: מִשְׁפָּט  
Sense: judgment, justice, ordinance.
כִּ֝סְא֗וֹת  the  thrones 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: כִּסֵּא 
Sense: seat (of honour), throne, seat, stool.
לְבֵ֣ית  of  the  house 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: בַּיִת 
Sense: house.
דָּוִֽיד  of  David 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: דָּוִד  
Sense: youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel.