Psalms 87
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Psalms 87
His Foundation Is in the Holy Mountains
1His foundation is in the holy mountains.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
PSALM 87
Psa 87:1-7. This triumphal song was probably occasioned by the same event as the forty-sixth [see on Psa 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 (Is 14:32).
is in the holy mountains--the location of Zion, in the wide sense, for the capital, or Jerusalem, being on several hills.
PSALM 87
Psa 87:1-7. This triumphal song was probably occasioned by the same event as the forty-sixth [see on Psa 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 (Is 14:32).
is in the holy mountains--the location of Zion, in the wide sense, for the capital, or Jerusalem, being on several hills.
The Pulpit Commentary
The praises of Zion.
(1) She is built upon the holy mountains;
(2) God loves her pre-eminently; and
(3) a glorious future is assigned to her in the counsels of God.
His foundation is in the holy mountains. God's foundation—the city which he has founded—is "in the holy mountains;" i.e. in the hill country of Judaea, a congeries of mountains, "holy," since they surround the holy city and belong to the "holy land" (Zec_2:12).
The praises of Zion.
(1) She is built upon the holy mountains;
(2) God loves her pre-eminently; and
(3) a glorious future is assigned to her in the counsels of God.
His foundation is in the holy mountains. God's foundation—the city which he has founded—is "in the holy mountains;" i.e. in the hill country of Judaea, a congeries of mountains, "holy," since they surround the holy city and belong to the "holy land" (Zec_2:12).
2The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
2. gates--for the enclosures, or city to which they opened (Psa 9:14; 122:2; compare Psa 132:13, 14).
2. gates--for the enclosures, or city to which they opened (Psa 9:14; 122:2; compare Psa 132:13, 14).
The Pulpit Commentary
The Lord loveth the gates of Zion (comp. Psa_78:68). More than all the dwellings of Jacob; i.e. "more than all the other dwellings"—more than Shiloh, more than Kirjath-jearim, more than any other of the ark's resting places.
The Lord loveth the gates of Zion (comp. Psa_78:68). More than all the dwellings of Jacob; i.e. "more than all the other dwellings"—more than Shiloh, more than Kirjath-jearim, more than any other of the ark's resting places.
3Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
3. spoken of thee--or, "in thee," that is, the city of God (Psa 46:4; 48:2).
3. spoken of thee--or, "in thee," that is, the city of God (Psa 46:4; 48:2).
The Pulpit Commentary
Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. The psalmist probably refers in part to the predictions of older prophets, but also in part to the revelations made to himself, which he is on the point of recording (Psa_87:4-7).
Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. The psalmist probably refers in part to the predictions of older prophets, but also in part to the revelations made to himself, which he is on the point of recording (Psa_87:4-7).
4I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
4. This is what is spoken by God.
to them ... me--literally, "for My knowers," they are true worshippers (Psa 36:10; Is 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.
4. This is what is spoken by God.
to them ... me--literally, "for My knowers," they are true worshippers (Psa 36:10; Is 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.
The Pulpit Commentary
The Almighty is introduced as making a revelation to the psalmist. He will cause the Gentiles to flock into his Church, even those who have been hitherto the most bitter enemies of Israel (Psa_87:4), and will place these strangers on a par with such as have belonged to his Church from their birth (Psa_87:4, Psa_87:5, Psa_87:6), admitting them to every blessing and every privilege. The Church, thus augmented, shall be taken under his own protection, and "established," or placed on a sure footing, forever. Compare our Lord's promise to St. Peter," On this rock will I build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Mat_16:18).
I will make mention of Rahab; i.e. of Egypt. The context requires this meaning, which is found also in Psa_89:10 and in Isa_51:9. Literally "Rahab" means "pride, arrogance." And Babylon. The fitting counterpart of Egypt, equally antagonistic to Israel, and equally lifted up with pride and presumption. To them that know me; rather, among them that know me; i.e. as belonging to them, included in their number (comp. Isa_19:21, "And the Lord shall be known to the Egyptians, and the Egyptians shall know the Lord in that day;" and see also Psa_72:11, Psa_72:17; Psa_82:8; Isa_66:23). Behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia. Other hostile nations (comp. Psa_83:7; 2Ch_12:3; 2Ch_14:9-13). This man was horn there. There is no "man" in the original, and it is better to understand "nation;" this, that, and the other nation—all those mentioned, and others—are grafted into Zion, and have a second birth there.
The Almighty is introduced as making a revelation to the psalmist. He will cause the Gentiles to flock into his Church, even those who have been hitherto the most bitter enemies of Israel (Psa_87:4), and will place these strangers on a par with such as have belonged to his Church from their birth (Psa_87:4, Psa_87:5, Psa_87:6), admitting them to every blessing and every privilege. The Church, thus augmented, shall be taken under his own protection, and "established," or placed on a sure footing, forever. Compare our Lord's promise to St. Peter," On this rock will I build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Mat_16:18).
I will make mention of Rahab; i.e. of Egypt. The context requires this meaning, which is found also in Psa_89:10 and in Isa_51:9. Literally "Rahab" means "pride, arrogance." And Babylon. The fitting counterpart of Egypt, equally antagonistic to Israel, and equally lifted up with pride and presumption. To them that know me; rather, among them that know me; i.e. as belonging to them, included in their number (comp. Isa_19:21, "And the Lord shall be known to the Egyptians, and the Egyptians shall know the Lord in that day;" and see also Psa_72:11, Psa_72:17; Psa_82:8; Isa_66:23). Behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia. Other hostile nations (comp. Psa_83:7; 2Ch_12:3; 2Ch_14:9-13). This man was horn there. There is no "man" in the original, and it is better to understand "nation;" this, that, and the other nation—all those mentioned, and others—are grafted into Zion, and have a second birth there.
5And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
5. The writer resumes--
This and that man--literally, "man and man," or many (Ge 14:10; Ex 8:10, 14), or all (Is 44:5; Ga 3:28).
the highest ... her--God is her protector.
5. The writer resumes--
This and that man--literally, "man and man," or many (Ge 14:10; Ex 8:10, 14), or all (Is 44:5; Ga 3:28).
the highest ... her--God is her protector.
The Pulpit Commentary
And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her. A repetition, but emphatic, and perhaps intended to assert of individuals what in the preceding verse was said of nations. And the highest himself shall establish her; literally, and he, the highest, shall establish her (comp. Mat_16:18). The Church is "established" on a Rock, forever.
And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her. A repetition, but emphatic, and perhaps intended to assert of individuals what in the preceding verse was said of nations. And the highest himself shall establish her; literally, and he, the highest, shall establish her (comp. Mat_16:18). The Church is "established" on a Rock, forever.
6The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
6. The same idea is set forth under the figure of a register made by God (compare Is 4:3).
6. The same idea is set forth under the figure of a register made by God (compare Is 4:3).
The Pulpit Commentary
The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people; rather, the peoples, (see Psa_87:4). That this man was born there. He shall enregister every individual among the converted nations as a true citizen of Zion, entitled to all covenant privileges.
The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people; rather, the peoples, (see Psa_87:4). That this man was born there. He shall enregister every individual among the converted nations as a true citizen of Zion, entitled to all covenant privileges.
7As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
7. As in a great procession of those thus written up, or registered, seeking Zion (Is 2:3; Jr 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" (Psa 46:4; 84:6).
7. As in a great procession of those thus written up, or registered, seeking Zion (Is 2:3; Jr 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" (Psa 46:4; 84:6).
The Pulpit Commentary
As well the singers as the players on instruments; literally, and singers as well as dancers [shall say]. (On dancing as an element of religious service, see Exo_15:20; 2Sa_6:16; Psa_68:25; Psa_149:3; Psa_150:4.) The psalmist intends to represent the converted nations as coming in a grand procession, with songs and dances, to celebrate their admission to Zion, and there one and all exclaiming, All my fresh springs—i.e. "all my sources of life, and joy, and happiness"—are in thee. The verse is possibly but "fragment," as Professor Cheyne supposes.
As well the singers as the players on instruments; literally, and singers as well as dancers [shall say]. (On dancing as an element of religious service, see Exo_15:20; 2Sa_6:16; Psa_68:25; Psa_149:3; Psa_150:4.) The psalmist intends to represent the converted nations as coming in a grand procession, with songs and dances, to celebrate their admission to Zion, and there one and all exclaiming, All my fresh springs—i.e. "all my sources of life, and joy, and happiness"—are in thee. The verse is possibly but "fragment," as Professor Cheyne supposes.
THE HOLY BIBLE
Psalms
Chapter 87
Translated out of the original tongues, and with the former translations diligently compared and revised.
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“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” — PSALM 119:105