Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 122:5

"For there are set thrones for judgment, The thrones of the house of David." — Psalms 122:5 (ASV)

For there are set — Margin: Do sit. The Hebrew is, “For there sit thrones for judgment.” They are established there; or, that is the appointed place for administering justice.

Thrones of judgment — Seats for dispensing justice. The word “throne” is now commonly appropriated to the seat or chair of a king, but this is not necessarily the meaning here. The word may denote a seat or bench occupied by a judge. The meaning here is that Jerusalem was the supreme seat of justice, the place where justice was dispensed for the nation. It was at once the religious and the civil capital of the nation.

The thrones of the house of David — Of the family of David, who performed the office of magistrates or who administered justice. The family of David would naturally be employed in such a service as this. This office, Absalom — who had not been appointed to it — earnestly desired, so that he might secure popularity in his contemplated rebellion. Oh that I were made a judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! (2 Samuel 15:4).