Psalms 87

Psalms 87:1-3

This pfalm is an excursion of Sion, as a type and figure of the gospel church. Sion, for the temple’s fates, is here preferred, 1. Before the rest of the land of Conan, as being crou and with special talent of God’s favour, ver. 1, 2, 3. 2. Before my other place or country whatsoever, as being extinguished with more eminent men, and with a greater plenty of divine blessings, ver. 4—7. And these glorious things spoken of here have their perfection and accomplishment in the gospel church.

¶ A pfalm er song for the sons of Korah. Or, ed.

8. His foundation is in the holy mountains. 2. The LORD loveth the grace of Zion, more than all the dwellings of Jacob. 3. Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.

The psalm begins abruptly, as if he had been missing on the glories of God’s Zion, and instantly bursts forth in describing them.

1. His foundation is in the holy mountains; the Lord hath laid the foundations of his church on Christ, the rock of ages; it is supported by his everlasting promises, and stands firm in the beauty of holiness.

2. He delights in the work of his own hands. The Lord loveth the gates of Zion, more than all the dwellings of Jacob; though all are dear to him, yet not alike dear to Zion he hath chosen to fix his peculiar abode. Note, God is present in every family of his worshipping people, and accepts their service, but his especial delight is in the great congregation, where all his people appear together before him.

3. Glorious things are spoken of then, O thou city of God. Jerusalem was a beautiful place, the joy of the whole earth, adorned with flatty palaces, and most adorned with God’s magnificent temple; but even this hath no glory, in comparison with the gospel church, which so far excelled, the spouse of Christ, the purchase of his blood; where all are kings and priests unto God; the walls salvation; the gates praise; the building eternal; that time, so far from raining, must improve; and against which the gates of hell cannot prevail.

4. I will make mention of Rabah, and Babylon, to them that know me: behold Philsus, and Tyre, with Ethiopia: this man was born there. 5. And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her. 6. The LORD shall count when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah. 7. As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.

Psalms 87:4-7

Some of the church’s peculiar glories are here farthest mentioned.

1. A great increase of converts shall be made to her. I will make mention of Rabah, that is Egypt, and Babylon, to them that know me, that they may expect their conversion, and receive them into the bosom of the church, or among them that know me; admitting them to the privileges of native Israelites, as follow-citizens with the saints. Behold Philsus, and Tyre, with Ethiopia, strangers hitherto, and foreigners; this man was born there, not any singular person, eminent for wisdom, who might be produced among them; or here and there a pro-citye made to the Jewish religion; but rather it signifies, that in these countries must be made to the same, but rather it signifies, that in these countries must be made to the same, but rather it signifies, that in these countries must be made to the same, but rather it signifies, that in these countries must be made to the same, but rather it signifies, that in these countries must be made to the same, but rather it signifies, that in these countries must be made to the same, but rather it signifies, that in these countries must be made to the same, but rather it

2. The highest himself shall establish her. God, the most high, whose power none can withstand, undertakes for her stability; and though hands of errors and heresies threaten to overwhelm her, and storms of persecution furiously beat against her, the shall never be removed, but rise superior to every foe, merges perishable, pulchier sails. Note, It is a comfort amidst the attacks of all the enemies of our salvation, to think what an almighty friend we have engaged to preserve and protect us.

3. God will register the names of his people in his book. From eternity they were written in the book of life of the Lamb, Rev. viii. and now in the fulness of the same, are called into the fellowship of the gospel, and have a name among the living saints of God. So that the Lord shall count when he serveth up the people, in that great day, when they shall pass in review before him, that this man was born there; each individual being known by him, ordained of him unto life, and not one shall perish of all whom he hath given to be subjects and children to his king in Zion.

4. Great joy shall be in the midst of her. As well the singers as players upon instruments shall be there, as in Zion of old, rehearsing God’s praises, so in the gospel-church shall be heard the voice of those who sing and make melody in their hearts unto God. All my flesh springs are in thee, which may be the words of the Psalms, or the song of the Redeemed, adoring Christ the source of all their joys, from whom they drink in pleasures, as out of a river, and find fresh springs of grace implanted by him in their hearts, springing up into everlasting life.