Weds 28 April - Psalm 87
Psalm 87
1 He has founded his city on the holy mountain.
2 The Lord loves the gates of Zion
more than all the other dwellings of Jacob.3 Glorious things are said of you,
city of God:
4 ‘I will record Rahab and Babylon
among those who acknowledge me –
Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cushc]">[c] –
and will say, “This one was born in Zion.”’d]">[d]
5 Indeed, of Zion it will be said,
‘This one and that one were born in her,
and the Most High himself will establish her.’
6 The Lord will write in the register of the peoples:
‘This one was born in Zion.’7 As they make music they will sing,
‘All my fountains are in you.’
- - -
Meditation on Psalm 87
Psalm 46 is a celebration of Jerusalem as the city of God which inspired Martin Luther to write the hymn, ‘A mighty fortress is our God.’
Psalm 48 is a celebration of Zion, the city of the great King.
Psalm 76 is a celebration of the LORD’s power in defending Jerusalem, His royal city.
Psalm 87 is a celebration of Zion, the city of God.
The city of God is the place where He loves to dwell among His people – the people for whom He has a special love.
The church of God is a place where He loves to dwell among His people – the people for whom He has a special love.
In this Psalm we see characteristics which can be applied to the church.
- The glories of Zion
- The citizens of Zion
- The rejoicing in Zion
The glories of Zion…
- It is WELL BUILT. Verse 1 ‘He has set / He has founded His city on the holy mountain’ Psalm 24:2 tells us the ‘earth was founded on the seas…’
Not so the church. It is set on a solid and a visible foundation. Remember what Jesus said to Peter, “upon this ROCK I will build my church.” It was not Peter who was the foundation but Jesus – Peter had said, “you are the Christ the Son of the living God.” Jesus is the ROCK on which His church is built.
And not just ‘a mountain’ but a ‘HOLY mountain.’ Psalm 46:4 reminds us that it is ‘the HOLY place where the Most High dwells.’
- It is WELL LOVED. Verse 2 ‘The LORD LOVES the gates of Zion…’ Psalm 48 gives us reasons why it is well loved.
- It is a place of praise
- It is a place of meditation
- It is a place of proclamation
- It is WELL SPOKEN OF. Verse 3 Remember the hymn - ‘Glorious things of thee are spoken, Zion, city of our God’
Psalm 48:2 ‘beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth is Mount Zion in the far north, the city of the great King.’
Matthew 16:18 ‘the gates of hell shall not overpower it.’
1 Peter 2:9 ‘you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.’
The citizens of Zion…
- Zion has an EXPANDING REGISTER. Verses 4-6
- Rahab (Egypt)
- Babylon
- Philistia
- Tyre
- Cush
These nations represent the enemies of God and of the people of God. And yet it was said of them ‘This one was born in Zion… this one and that one were born in her.’
And all of these were added to the heavenly register.
Enemies, maybe and yet they represent the Gentiles who would come to faith in the Lord Jesus and whose names would be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Read Isaiah 19:21-25
Today, the church is set in the midst of unbelieving people who are enemies of God but who are welcomed into the family of God as they are ‘born again.’
- Zion has a HEAVENLY LEADER. Verse 5a
The LORD established Zion.
The Lord is building His church.
The rejoicing in Zion…
Zion is the resting place of God – where He dwells. His presence permeates through the whole city.
- there is worship
- there is fellowship
- there is service
- there is rejoicing because the Lord is the fountain-head of blessings.
There are privileges and responsibilities in being part of God’s church – global and local.
(Roger Purdom)
Daily Readings
Thursday 29 April - Psalm 88
Friday 30 April - Psalm 89
Saturday 1 May - Psalm 90
Sunday 2 May - Psalm 91
Monday 3 May - Psalm 92
Tuesday 4 May - Psalm 93