Bible Commentaries

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann

Psalms 87

Verses 1-7

The Church of God the Spiritual Birthplace of the Nations.

A psalm or song for the sons of Korah, a triumphal hymn in the strain of these inspired singers, celebrating the glory of the Church as the means of spiritual blessings to all nations.

v. 1. His foundation, that which Jehovah, the Lord of the Church, has laid, is in the holy mountains, the location of the Temple being given in the wide sense, for Jerusalem was situated on several hills, one of which became the hill of the Sanctuary.

v. 2. The Lord loveth the gates of Zion, of the Temple situated on that mountain, as the emblem of His Church on earth, more than all the dwellings of Jacob, as the place of His habitation and of the revelation of His glory in the midst of His people. Note that the gates of Zion are mentioned to indicate the accessibility of the city to all men; for the means of grace administered by the Church are intended to bring salvation to all men.

v. 3. Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah. The things which are said about the Church of God of all times redound to His glory, because they relate to Zion's increasing glory; and the miracles of God performed for the salvation of men are spoken in the city as well, that all its inhabitants may be confirmed in their faith.

v. 4. I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know Me, literally, "I will call to remembrance Rahab," that is, Egypt, "and Babylon as those who know Me," publishing the fact that people even from these heathen nations came to the knowledge of the truth. Behold Philistia, the heathen country southwest of Canaan, and Tyre, that is, Phenicia, with Ethiopia, the country south of Egypt; this man was born there, that is, people from all these nations, from belligerent Philistia, from commercial Phenicia, from powerful Ethiopia, would be gained for Jehovah; always there would be some out of the heathen nations who would accept Jehovah as their Savior.

v. 5. And of Zion it shall be said, of the Church itself the statement would be made, This and that man was born in her, added to her by his spiritual birth; and the Highest Himself shall establish her, God Himself having laid the foundations of the Church, it shall not be moved, Psalms 46.

v. 6. The Lord shall count, when He writeth up the people, as one believer after the other is added to His register, that this man was born there, for the Lord knoweth them that are His, and He enters each individual name in the book of life, 2Ti 2:19. Selah.

v. 7. As well the singers, those praising the Lord with hymns of thanksgiving, as the players on instruments, those who leap and spring for joy in honor of the Lord, as David did when he brought the Ark of the Covenant to Mount Zion, shall be there; for the joy of the Church Militant will be continued in the exultation of the Church Triumphant. All my springs are in thee; for Jerusalem, or Zion, the Church of Christ, is the place where the true water of life springs up and flows for all men, inviting them all to partake of its riches to the salvation of their souls. These are some of the glorious facts which establish and maintain faith in the hearts of men, for which the believers give thanks to the Lord with exultant hearts, here in time and hereafter in eternity.

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