Psalms 87

Psalms 87:1-7

Citizens of Zion Psalms 87:1-7 This psalm blends in one great congregation the ancient foes of Israel and the Chosen People. It is a vision of the Holy Universal Church. The Selahs divide it into three parts: Psalms 87:1-3 This is an outburst of rapturous praise. Zion’ s foundations are in the mountains, and her gates are dear to God. Far and wide men recount her glories and triumphs. But how much greater is the glory of the Church, which is founded on Christ’ s finished work and ruled by Him from heaven. The Church is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and a light shines from her into all the world. Psalms 87:4-6 The ancient enemies of Zion contribute their children to the Church. Egypt or Rahab no longer dreaded and despised; Babylon no longer detested for its tyranny; Philistia and Ethiopia, once far off, now made nigh. They come from the East and West, and sit down at the feast of fat things of which Isaiah sang, Isaiah 25:6. Psalms 87:7A triumphal procession passes before us, confessing that the springs of the true life are to be found in the Church, because they are fed from the great depths of Eternal Love and Life.

The gates of Zion This is a song of praise for some great deliverance. From end to end it is full of triumphant joy. It seems to have dated from the times of Hezekiah, when Babylon was still second in power to Rahab (Egypt). Rahab means hautiness or pride and is used by Isaiah sarcastically (Psalms 87:30:7, R.V.). “I have called her [Egypt] Rahab that sitteth still.” “Rahab” (that is Pride or Arrogance) could only be applicable to Egypt before the battle of Carchemish (2 Chronicles 35:20-24), which humbled that nation’s pride. The appellation “Rahab” is also found in Psalms 89:10 and Isaiah 51:9. It seems clear that this (Psalms 87:1-7) celebrates the security of Jerusalem after the discomfiture of Assyria by the angel of the Lord.

Psalms 87:1. His foundation is in the holy mountains The foundations of Zion were laid in the eternal choice and determination of God. And those of the Church rest on the chief Corner-stone, our blessed Lord (Isaiah 28:16). “Holy” surely means “set apart” from ordinary and common use. All is glory which is set apart for God. Psalms 87:2. The gates of Zion Are you quite sure that you are safe inside through faith in Jesus?

Psalms 87:3. Glorious things are spoken of Thee What glorious things have been spoken of the people of God! They are a chosen , generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for a possession (1 Peter 2:9); the body and bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:25). To be where Jesus is, at the right hand of God–this its destiny.

Psalms 87:4. I will mention Rahab and Babylon as among them that know Me (R.V.) In those days, when the numbers of the chosen people were much reduced, the heart of the Psalmist yearned with peculiar eagerness for the ingathering of the nations, according to ancient promise. There is also here an anticipation of the new birth, which makes different nationalities one family in Jesus Christ.

Psalms 87:5-6. When He writeth up the people There is a reference here to citizen-rolls (Luke 2:3). Whole hosts of nations are even now tracing all that is best in them to the religion which emanated from Mount Zion. The time is coming when the forces of the Gentiles shall literally return to that city, which is to be the metropolis of a redeemed and rejoicing world (Isaiah 60:11).

Psalms 87:7. Singers and players on instruments The mention of singers and dancers (R.V.) summons to our thought the idea of a triumphal procession like that of Israel after the passage of the Red Sea. “All my fresh springs,” as the Prayer-Book version has it (see also Psalms 84:6; Isaiah 12:3). Would that we were more content to be channels through which those springs might visit the world! (John 7:38).