FRAMEWORKS:
Psa 87: Jerusalem extolled
Of
the Sons of Korah. A psalm. A song.
[Preliminary
Comments: A strange but simple psalm that extols Jerusalem,
otherwise known as Zion, the city of God's choosing, the place
of His dwelling with mankind, a city that stands out above all
others on the high lands of central Israel [v.1,2]. The strangeness
[to our ears at least] are the threefold declarations that the
foundations or life of other nations can be found in Jerusalem
– ‘born in Zion' [v.4-6], their very life streams rising up from
her [v.7], they exist because of Jerusalem.]
v.1,2
Zion, Jerusalem, was the city at the heart of God's activities
on earth
v.1
He
has founded his city on the holy mountain.
v.2
The
Lord loves the gates of Zion
more than all the other dwellings of
Jacob.
v.3-7
All origins of ‘life' in other nations come back to God in Zion
v.3
Glorious
things are said of you,
city of God:
v.4
‘I
will record Rahab [an
old term for Egypt] and
Babylon
among those who acknowledge me –
Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush [parts
of Africa] –
and will say, “This one was born in Zion.”'
v.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.'
v.6
The
Lord
will
write in the register of the peoples:
‘This one was born in Zion.'
v.7
As
they make music they will sing,
‘All my fountains are in you.'
[Additional
Comments: Perhaps this psalm should be seen prophetically
as an end time fulfilment of the work of God. A number of times
in the prophets, there is the declaration that nations will come
to Jerusalem. See Isa 2:3, Mic 4:2, Zech 8:22. Other suggest that
leaders from these other nations [or maybe just travellers] declare
their heart is in Jerusalem.]
Continue
to Psa 88