Psalm 87

Psalm 87  •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 8
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This Psalm is the celebration of Zion as the place of associate glory. There are two points-His foundation, and who belongs to it.
His foundation is in the Holy mountain—the great conclusion of the contemplation of the purposes of God, and hence its importance; but the Lord conferred its importance also. “This (man) was born there." This seems to me the placing Christ, as born in purpose into the world, as the Child of Zion. Egypt and Babylon disappear in glory before it. Her children—children to God—shall be multiplied there, for, though we look to Jerusalem which is above, which is our mother, this is more specific. He was born there. The children given after she had lost the other. Our Lord could not be said to be born in Jerusalem at His first coming, though He was rejected there, but in the new Jerusalem He is the Firstborn, and alone in His place. This constitutes the Lord's necessary tie to the place. The external testimony and positive ministers of it in personal praise shall be there too, all God's fresh-springs are then in it. It is a remarkable Psalm—the celebration of Zion, in identity with God and His purposes, established in the presence of Immanuel, with that which flows from it. A great many deliverances and exigencies go on elsewhere, but this Man was born there—the native country of God's power.
We have then Zion established, according to the favor of the Lord, in her place according to the Lord's purpose and delight. I say " purpose," because its aspect is in contrast with the grandeur of the world on all sides, but its condition after the fall of these. Egypt, Babylon, Philistia, Tire, Ethiopia, all pass in review, but Zion is not afraid of the comparison for those that know her—all Jehovah's fresh-springs are in her. It is His foundation now. Also the Lord establishes Zion among the dwellings of Jacob—favor and delight within as well as contrast of glory without—a center of affections for the people, just because divine—a link with God; not so all other patriotism, but that is.