Psalms 87 The City of God

This triumphal song was probably occasioned by the same event as the forty-sixth [see on 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

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

3

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

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

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

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).