Psalm 122

When the choir begins "I was glad when they said unto me," there is an immediate sense of gathering and purpose. Psalm 122 is a classic song of ascent, originally sung by pilgrims making their way up to Jerusalem. In our parishes today, it carries that same feeling of joyful arrival. We often sing it as an entrance piece or during a solemn procession, setting a tone of reverence and shared gladness as the congregation steps into the church.

The text moves beautifully from the personal joy of entering the sanctuary to a wider prayer for the community. As we chant the lines asking to "pray for the peace of Jerusalem," we are really praying for the peace of our own local church and the wider world. The harmony in this Anglican chant setting by Richard Woodward Jr. supports the natural rhythm of the words, allowing the choir to deliver the psalm with clarity and grace.

Ending with the traditional Gloria Patri, the chant ties the ancient words of the psalmist to our present worship. It is a piece that reminds everyone in the pews why we gather each Sunday—to find unity, to give thanks, and to seek the good of our brothers and sisters in faith.