Ps 87:1-7. 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.
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).
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Commentary on Psalms 87 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 87
Ps 87:1-7. 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).