This psalm is expressly ascribed to David, though it is not known why it should be classed among the “Songs of Degrees.” On the supposition that these were used by the pilgrims in “going up” to Jerusalem to worship, and that they were sung by the way, this psalm would be particularly appropriate, and is one of the very few, in the entire collection of fifteen, that would be appropriate. This psalm evidently was used on some such occasion, and is beautifully suited to such a design. There is no reason to doubt that it is a composition of David, but it is not now possible to ascertain at what period of his life, or on what particular occasion, it was composed. DeWette has endeavored to show that the psalm must have been composed at a later period in the Jewish history than the time of David. His arguments are:
(1) that these “Psalms of Degrees” mostly pertain to a later period, and yet that they are closely connected together in sense;
(2) that the language indicates a later period than the time of David;
(3) that the pilgrimage to Jerusalem was not instituted until a later age than that of David;
(4) that the mention of the “thrones of the house of David” Psalms 122:5 indicates a later age; and
(5) that Jerusalem is represented Psalms 122:3 as a city already built - probably, as DeWette thinks, referring to Jerusalem as rebuilt after the captivity.
It will be found, however, in the exposition of the psalm, that there is no part of it which is not applicable to David and his times.