PSALM 87

Ps 87:1-7. This triumphal song was probably occasioned by the same event as the forty-sixth [see on [618]Ps 46:1, title]. The writer celebrates the glory of the Church, as the means of spiritual blessing to the nation.

1. His-that is, God's

foundation-or, what He has founded, that is, Zion (Isa 14:32).

is in the holy mountains-the location of Zion, in the wide sense, for the capital, or Jerusalem, being on several hills.

2 The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.

2. gates-for the enclosures, or city to which they opened (Ps 9:14; 122:2; compare Ps 132:13, 14).

3 Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.

3. spoken of thee-or, "in thee," that is, the city of God (Ps 46:4; 48:2).

4 I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.

4. This is what is spoken by God.

to them . me-literally, "for My knowers," they are true worshippers (Ps 36:10; Isa 19:21). These are mentioned as specimens.

this-that is, nation

was born there-Of each it is said, "This was born," or is a native of Zion, spiritually.

5 And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her.

5. The writer resumes-

This and that man-literally, "man and man," or many (Ge 14:10; Ex 8:10, 14), or all (Isa 44:5; Ga 3:28).

the highest . her-God is her protector.

6 The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah.

6. The same idea is set forth under the figure of a register made by God (compare Isa 4:3).

7 As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.

7. As in a great procession of those thus written up, or registered, seeking Zion (Isa 2:3; Jer 50:5), "the singers" and "players," or pipers, shall precede.

all my springs-So each shall say, "All my sources of spiritual joy are in Thee" (Ps 46:4; 84:6).