Bible Commentaries
Psalms 87

Introduction

PSALM 87

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

Verse 1

1. His—that is, God's

foundation—or, what He has founded, that is, Zion ( :-).

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

Verse 2

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

Verse 3

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

Verse 4

4. This is what is spoken by God.

to them . . . me—literally, "for My knowers," they are true worshippers (Psalms 36:10; Isaiah 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.

Verse 5

5. The writer resumes—

This and that man—literally, "man and man," or many (Genesis 14:10; Exodus 8:10; Exodus 8:14), or all (Isaiah 44:5; Galatians 3:28).

the highest . . . her—God is her protector.

Verse 6

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

Verse 7

7. As in a great procession of those thus written up, or registered, seeking Zion (Isaiah 2:3; Jeremiah 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" (Psalms 46:4; Psalms 84:6).