Psalm 87

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Glorious Things of You Are Spoken

A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. A Song.

87   On the holy mount stands the city he founded;
    the LORD loves the gates of Zion
    more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.
  Glorious things of you are spoken,
    O city of God. Selah
  Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon;
    behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush—
    “This one was born there,” they say.
  And of Zion it shall be said,
    “This one and that one were born in her”;
    for the Most High himself will establish her.
  The LORD records as he registers the peoples,
    “This one was born there.” Selah
  Singers and dancers alike say,
    “All my springs are in you.”

(ESV)

Psalm 87 Commentary

by Brad Boyles

“I shall mention Rahab and Babylon among those who know Me; Behold, Philistia and Tyre with Ethiopia: ‘This one was born there.'”

Psalms 87:4 NASB

A relationship with Jesus is not based on genetics or any other biological factor.

“This reminds us that even though God made His ancient covenant with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their descendants, relationship with Him was not based on genetics. Any from the Gentile world were welcome to honor the God of Israel, surrender to His Lordship and be reckoned among God’s people. This was true of Melchizedek, true of Rahab, true of Ruth, true of Naaman.”

David Guzik

In a beautiful and prophetic picture of what the Gospel would one day look like, this psalm relates the truth about what it means to have a true relationship with God. It involves new birth, or, being born again regardless of your ethnicity, race, or social status. It is a foreshadowing of what God would do one day through His Son Jesus Christ.

“Thus, in a very short space, the psalmist indicates that in the day of God’s future blessing all the nations of the world (or at least representatives of all the nations of the world) will come to know and praise the true God.”

James Boice

Sometimes we get too caught up in working to be accepted by God. The reminder here is that the only qualification for coming to Jesus is being human. He is willing and able to reconcile all to Him who accept His sacrifice as the payment for sin.

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