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Psalm Eighty-seven
Psalm 87
Chapter Contents
The glory of the church. (1-3) It is filled with the
Divine blessing. (4-7)
Commentary on Psalm 87:1-3
(Read Psalm 87:1-3)
Christ himself is the Foundation of the church, which God
has laid. Holiness is the strength and firmness of the church. Let us not be
ashamed of the church of Christ in its meanest condition, nor of those that
belong to it, since such glorious things are spoken of it. Other foundation can
no man lay than that is laid, even Jesus Christ. The glorious things spoken of
Zion by the Spirit, were all typical of Christ, and his work and offices; of
the gospel church, its privileges and members; of heaven, its glory and perfect
happiness.
Commentary on Psalm 87:4-7
(Read Psalm 87:4-7)
The church of Christ is more glorious and excellent than
the nations of the earth. In the records of heaven, the meanest of those who
are born again stand registered. When God renders to every man according to his
works, he shall observe who enjoyed the privileges of his sanctuary. To them
much was given, and of them much will be required. Let those that dwell in
Zion, mark this, and live up to their profession. Zion's songs shall be sung
with joy and triumph. The springs of the joy of a carnal worldling are in
wealth and pleasure; but of a gracious soul, in the word of God and prayer. All
grace and consolation are derived from Christ, through his ordinances, to the
souls of believers.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Psalms》
Psalm 87
Verse 1
[1] His foundation is in the holy mountains.
Its foundation — The foundation of the temple of
God.
Verse 2
[2] The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the
dwellings of Jacob.
Zion — That is, Zion itself, or Jerusalem, which was built
upon and near mount Zion. He saith Zion rather than Jerusalem, to intimate that
he loved Jerusalem for Zion's sake, or for the temple, which he chose for his
peculiar dwelling place.
Verse 4
[4] I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that
know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.
Rahab — Egypt, so called, either from its pride or natural
strength.
Babylon — Under these two and Philistia, the constant enemies of
Israel, he seems to understand all the enemies of the church of God, who shall
now be not only reconciled but united to them.
Arabia — The nations on every side of them, for Tyre was on the
north, Arabia on the South; those nearest to them, and those more remote from
them.
Verse 5
[5] And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born
in her: and the highest himself shall establish her.
Zion — Of Jerusalem, or the church of God.
Said — It shall be acknowledged.
Man — Heb. Man and man, all sorts of men without difference
of nations.
Establish — And this shall not be a
transient, but a lasting work; Zion shall continue in its strength and
fertility because the Almighty God is her founder and protector.
Verse 6
[6] The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people,
that this man was born there. /*Selah*/.
When — When God, the maker and governor of this city shall
take a survey of all his citizens. It is an allusion to princes or governors of
cities that use to write and keep a register of all their people.
Verse 7
[7] As well the singers as the players on instruments shall
be there: all my springs are in thee.
Singers — There shall be great rejoicing and praising God, both
with vocal and instrumental musick, for this glorious work of the conversion of
the Gentiles. He describe's evangelical worship, by legal phrases and customs,
as the prophets frequently do.
In thee — In Zion or the church. These words may be here added
as the burden of the song, which these singers are supposed to have sung, in
the name of all the people of God. All our desires and delights are in thee,
all the springs of mercy, grace, and glory, flow to us only in and thro' thee.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on Psalms》
Exposition
Explanatory Notes and
Quaint Sayings
Hints to the Village
Preacher
Other Works
TITLE. A Psalm or
Song for the sons of Korah. A sacred hymn and a national lyric. A theocracy
blends the religious and the patriotic ideas in one; and in proportion as
nations become Christianized, their popular songs will become deeply imbued
with pious sentiments. Judged by this standard, our own land is far in arrears.
This "Psalm or song" was either composed by the sons of Korah, or
dedicated to them: as they kept the doors of the house of the Lord, they could
use this beautiful composition as a Psalm within the doors, and as a song
outside.
SUBJECT
AND DIVISION. The song is in honour of Zion, or Jerusalem, and it treats of
God's favour to that city among the mountains, the prophecies which made it
illustrious, and the honour of being a native of it. Many conceive that it was
written at the founding of David's city of Zion, but does not the mention of
Babylon imply a later date? It would seem to have been written after Jerusalem
and the Temple had been built, and had enjoyed a history, of which glorious
things could be spoken. Among other marvels of God's love in its later history,
it had been untouched by Sennacherib when other cities of Israel and Judah had
fallen victims to his cruelty. It was in Hezekiah's reign that Babylon became
prominent, when the ambassadors came to congratulate the king concerning his
recovery, at that time also Tyre would be more famous than at any period in
David's day. But as we have no information, and the point is not important, we
may leave it, and proceed to meditate upon the Psalm itself. We have no need to
divide so brief a song.
EXPOSITION
Verse
1. His foundation is in the holy mountains. The Psalm begins
abruptly, the poet's heart was full, and it gained vent on a sudden.
"God's
foundation stands forever
On the holy mountain towers;
Sion's gates Jehovah favours
More than Jacob's thousand bowers."
Sudden
passion is evil, but bursts of holy joy are most precious. God has chosen to
found his earthly temple upon the mountains; he might have selected other
spots, but it was his pleasure to have his chosen abode upon Zion. His election
made the mountains holy, they were by his determination ordained and set apart
for the Lord's use. The foundation of the church, which is the mystical
Jerusalem, is laid in the eternal, immutable, and invincible decrees of
Jehovah. He wills that the church shall be, he settles all arrangements for her
calling, salvation, maintenance and perfection, and all his attributes, like
the mountains round about Jerusalem, lend their strength for her support. Not
on the sand of carnal policy, nor in the morass of human kingdoms, has the Lord
founded his church, but on his own power and godhead, which are pledged for the
establishment of his beloved church, which is to him the chief of all his
works. What a theme for meditation is the founding of the church of God in the
ancient covenant engagements of eternity; the abrupt character of this first
verse indicates long consideration on the part of the writer, leading up to his
bursting forth in wonder and adoration. Well might such a theme cause his heart
to glow. Rome stands on her seven hills and has never lacked a poet's tongue to
sing her glories, but more glorious far art thou, O Zion, among the eternal
mountains of God: while pen can write or mouth can speak, thy praises shall
never lie buried in inglorious silence.
Verse
2. The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings
of Jacob. The gates are put for the city itself. The love of God is
greatest to his own elect nation, descended from his servant Jacob, yet the
central seat of his worship is dearer still; no other supposable comparison
could have so fully displayed the favour which Jehovah bore to Jerusalem,—he
loves Jacob best and Zion better than the best. At this hour the mystical
teaching of these words is plain, God delights in the prayers and praises of
Christian families and individuals, but he has a special eye to the assemblies
of the faithful, and he has a special delight in their devotions in their
church capacity. The great festivals, when the crowds surrounded the temple
gates, were fair in the Lord's eyes, and even such is the general assembly and
church of the first born, whose names are written in heaven. This should lead
each separate believer to identify himself with the church of God; where the
Lord reveals his love the most, there should each believer most delight to be
found. Our own dwellings are very dear to us, but we must not prefer them to
the assemblies of the saints; we must say of the church—
"Here
my best friends, my kindred dwell:
Here God, my Saviour reigns."
Verse
3. Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. This is true
of Jerusalem. Her history, which is the story of the nation of which she is the
capital, is full of glorious incidents, and her use and end as the abode of the
true God, and of his worship, was preeminently glorious. Glorious things were
taught in the streets, and seen in her temples. Glorious things were foretold
of her, and she was the type of the most glorious things of all. This is yet
more true of the church: she is founded in grace, but her pinnacles glow with glory.
Men may glory in her without being braggarts, she has a lustre about her brow
which none can rival. Whatever glorious things the saints may say of the church
in their eulogies, they cannot exceed what prophets have foretold, what angels
have sung, or what God himself has declared. Happy are the tongues which learn
to occupy themselves with so excellent a subject, may they be found around our
fire sides, in our market places, and in all the spots where men most
congregate. Never let thy praises cease, O thou bride of Christ, thou fairest
among women, thou in whom the Lord himself hath placed his delight, calling
thee by that pearl of names, Hephzibah,—"for my delight is in her."
Since the Lord has chosen thee, and deigns to dwell in thee, O thou city of beauty,
none can rival thee, thou art the eye of the world, the pearl, the queen of all
the cities of the universe; the true "eternal city", the
metropolitan, the mother of us all. The years to come shall unveil thy beauties
to the astonished eyes of all peoples, and the day of thy splendour shall come
to its sevenfold noon. Selah. With the prospect before him of a world
converted, and the most implacable foes transformed into friends, it was meet
that the Psalmist should pause. How could he sing the glories of new born Tyre
and Ethiopia, received with open arms into union with Zion, until he had taken
breath and prepared both voice and heart for so divine a song.
Verse
4. I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me.
This shall be a glorious subject to speak of concerning Zion, that her old foes
are new born and have become her friends, worshipping in the temple of her God.
Rahab or Egypt which oppressed Israel shall become a sister nation, and Babylon
in which the tribes endured their second great captivity, shall become a fellow
worshipper; then shall there be mention made in familiar talk of the old
enmities forgotten and the new friendships formed. Some consider that these are
the words of God himself, and should be rendered "I will mention Rahab and
Babylon as knowing me": but we feel content with our common version, and
attribute the words to the Psalmist himself, who anticipates the conversion of
the two great rival nations and speaks of it with exultation. Behold Philistia,
and Tyre, with Ethiopia. These also are to bow before the Lord. Philistia shall
renounce her ancient hate, Tyre shall not be swallowed up by thoughts of her
commerce, and distant Ethiopia shall not be too far off to receive the
salvation of the Lord. This man was born there. The word man is inserted
by the translators to the marring of the sense, which is clear enough when the
superfluous word is dropped,—"Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this was
born there"—i.e., this nation has been born into Zion, regenerated into
the church of God. Of the new births of nations we will make mention, for it is
at once a great blessing and a great wonder. It is a glorious thing indeed when
whole nations are born unto God.
"Mark
ye well Philistia's legions,
Lo, to seek the Lord they came;
And within the sacred regions
Tyre and Cush have found a home."
Many
understand the sense of these verses to be that all men are proud of their
native country, and so also is the citizen of Zion, so that while of one it is
said, "he was born in Egypt" and of another, "he came from
Ethiopia", it would be equally to the honour of others that they were home
born sons of the city of God. The passage is not so clear that any one should
become dogmatical as to its meaning, but we prefer the interpretation given
above.
Verse
5. And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in
her. Not as nations only, but one by one, as individuals, the citizens of
the New Jerusalem shall be counted, and their names publicly declared. Man by
man will the Lord reckon them, for they are each one precious in his sight; the
individual shall not be lost in the mass, but each one shall be of high
account. What a patent of nobility is it, for a man to have it certified that
he was born in Zion; the twice born are a royal priesthood, the true
aristocracy, the imperial race of men. The original, by using the noblest word
for man, intimates that many remarkable men will be born in the church, and
indeed every man who is renewed in the image of Christ is an eminent personage,
while there are some, who, even to the dim eyes of the world, shine forth with
a lustre of character which cannot but be admitted to be unusual and admirable.
The church has illustrious names of prophets, apostles, martyrs, confessors,
reformers, missionaries and the like, which bear comparison with the grandest
names honoured by the world, nay, in many respects far excel them. Zion has no
reason to be ashamed of her sons, nor her sons of her. "Wisdom is
justified of her children." And the highest himself shall establish
her—the only establishment worth having. When the numbers of the faithful are
increased by the new birth, the Lord proves himself to be the builder of the
church. The Lord alone deserves to wear the title of Defender of the Faith; he
is the sole and sufficient Patron and Protector of the true church. There is no
fear for the Lord's heritage, his own arm is sufficient to maintain his rights.
The Highest is higher than all those who are against us, and the good old cause
shall triumph over all.
Verse
6. The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this
man was born there. At the great census which the Lord himself shall take,
he will number the nations without exception and make an exact registry of
them, whether they were by their natural descent Babylonians or Tyrians, or
other far off heathen. May it be our happy lot to be numbered with the Lord's
chosen both in life and death, in the church roll below, and in the church roll
above. Jehovah's census of his chosen will differ much from ours; he will count
many whom we should have disowned, and he will leave out many whom we should
have reckoned. His registration is infallible. Let us pray then for that
adoption and regeneration which will secure us a place among the heaven born.
It was thought to be a great honour to have one's name written in the golden
book of the Republic of Venice, kings and princes paid dearly for the honour,
but the book of life confers far rarer dignity upon all whose names are
recorded therein.
Verse
7. In vision the Psalmist sees the citizens of Zion rejoicing at
some sacred festival, and marching in triumphant procession with vocal and
instrumental music:—As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be
there. Where God is there must be joy, and where the church is increased by
numerous conversions the joy becomes exuberant and finds out ways of displaying
itself. Singers and dancers, Psalmists and pipers, united their efforts and
made a joyful procession to the temple, inspired not by Bacchus, or by the
Castalian fount, but by draughts from the sacred source of all good, of which
they each one sing All my springs are in thee. Did the poet mean that
henceforth he would find all his joys in Zion, or that to the Lord he would
look for all inspiration, comfort, strength, joy, life and everything. The last
is the truest doctrine. Churches have not such all sufficiency within them that
we can afford to look to them for all, but the Lord who founded the church is
the eternal source of all our supplies, and looking to him we shall never flag
or fail. How truly does all our experience lead us to look to the Lord by
faith, and say "all my fresh springs are in thee." The springs of my
faith and all my graces; the springs of my life and all my pleasures; the
springs of my activity and all its right doings; the springs of my hope, and
all its heavenly anticipations, all lie in thee, my Lord. Without thy Spirit I
should be as a dry well, a mocking cistern, destitute of power to bless myself
or others. O Lord, I am assured that I belong to the regenerate whose life is
in thee, for I feel that I cannot live without thee; therefore, with all thy
joyful people will I sing thy praises.
"With
joy shall sing the choral train,
The minstrels breathe the answering strain:
`O Zion, Zion fair, I see
The fountains of my bliss in thee.'"
EXPLANATORY
NOTES AND QUAINT SAYINGS
TITLE. —A Psalm or
Song for the Sons of Korah. The title prefixed is "A Psalm to be sung
by the sons of Korah", i.e. of fallen man. Korah signifies the state in
which trees are during winter, when stript of their verdure and fruit. In the
same sense it is used for the bald head, when age or sickness has deprived it
of its glory and left it without hair. This is a lively description of fallen
man. He has lost his pristine beauty and fruitfulness. When he left God and
turned to his own ways, he became like the trees of the field in winter, from
which the genial warmth of the sun is withdrawn, or like the head, which by the
abating of the natural heat and rigour is left naked and bald. But being
brought to a light sense of this, and finding himself stript of all the glory
which the first Adam had in paradise, he has been led to seek the restoration
of his nature, and has obtained of the second Adam, the Lord from heaven, a
much better state than he had lost. Every such person is entitled to sing this
sacred hymn, and he is called upon to do it. The name of the person whom he is
to celebrate is not mentioned at first, but is soon discovered by the character
given of him.—William Romaine.
Whole
Psalm —Bishop Bruno entitles this Psalm, "The voice of prophecy
concerning the heavenly Jerusalem", that is, the Church of Christ.
Verse
1. —His foundation is in the holy mountains. The foundation
that God has given his city is in "the holy mountains." What are
these holy mountains? What can they be but the eternal purpose of Jehovah—the
purpose out of which the being of the Church and the whole dispensation of
Divine love have sprung? What but those attributes of mercy, justice, holiness,
and sovereignty, from the ineffable embrace and holy cooperation of which it
comes to pass that his chosen people are redeemed? What but the promise of life
that was given in Christ to the elect before the world began? What but the everlasting
covenant, "ordered in all things and sure" from which grace and
salvation proceed? What but these things, and Christ himself, the Rock of Ages,
on which rock we know that the Church is so firmly founded, that the gates of
hell cannot prevail against her? Yes, these are the holy mountains, whereon the
city of God is built, and in which its deep and sure foundations are laid. The
sure decree, the divine perfections, the promise of him that cannot lie, the
oath and covenant of God, and the incarnate Son himself, are the holy
mountains, the perpetual hills, whose summits are gloriously crowned by the
city of the Great King. There the city sits securely, beautiful for situation,
the joy of the whole earth.—Andrew Gray.
Verse
1. Mountains. The situation of Jerusalem is in several
respects singular amongst the cities of Palestine. Its elevation is remarkable,
occasioned, not from its being on the summit of one of the numerous hills of
Judaea, like most of the towns and villages, but because it is on the edge of
one of the highest table lands of the country. Hebron, indeed, is higher still,
by some hundred feet; and from the south, accordingly, the approach to
Jerusalem is by a slight descent. But from every other side, the ascent is
perpetual; and, to the traveller approaching Jerusalem from the west or east,
it must always have presented the appearance, beyond any other capital of the
then known world—we may add, beyond any important city that has ever existed on
the earth—of a mountain city; breathing, as compared with the sultry plains of
the Jordan or of the coast, a mountain air; enthroned, as compared with Jericho
or Damascus, Gaza or Tyre, on a mountain fastness. In this respect it
concentrated in itself the character of the whole country of which it was to be
the capital—the "mountain throne", the "mountain
sanctuary", of God. "The `mount' of God is as the `mount' of Bashan;
an high mount as the mount of Bashan. Why leap ye so, ye high `mountains'?this
is the `mountain' which God desireth to dwell in" ...It was emphatically
the lair of the lion of Judah, of "Ariel", the Lion of God. "In
Judah is God known; his name is great in Israel. In Salem is his `leafy
covert', and his `rocky den' in Zion...Thou art more glorious and excellent
than the `mountains of the robbers'". And this wild and fastness like
character of Jerusalem was concentrated yet again in the fortress, the
"stronghold" of Zion. That point, the highest in the city, the height
which most readily catches the eye from every quarter, is emphatically the
"hill fort", the "rocky hold" of Jerusalem—the refuge where
first the Jebusite, and then the Lion of God, stood at bay against the
hunters.—Arthur Penrhyn Stanley.
Verses
1-2.—If we suppose the Psalm to have been composed in the days of
Hezekiah, it will appear quite intelligible that the Psalmist should break out
so suddenly at the beginning with praise of the security of Sion: he
merely lends his mouth in this case to the full heart of the people; The
Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob, is seen
in its true light, for this preference for Sion was at that time verified—its
gates remained closed upon the enemies, while all the rest of the country was
subject to their sway.—E.W. Hengstenberg.
Verse
2. The Lord loveth the gates, etc. The gates of a walled city
give access to it and power over it, and are therefore naturally here put for
the whole. The Hebrew participle (loving) implies constant and habitual
attachment.—J.A. Alexander.
Verse
2. The Lord loveth the gates of Zion. Because of the going
out and coming in of the people of God. Thus indeed the disposition of lovers
is shown, that they are filled with a remarkable affection of love towards
those places through which those whom they love frequently pass, as doors and
gates, and those ways which they daily traverse. What other reason could God
have for loving the gates of Zion?—Musculus.
Verse
2. The gates of Zion are the doctrines of the Gospel, the
tabernacles of Jacob are the teachings of the law, the law was accomplished
in the gospel; therefore it is said that "the Lord loveth the gates of
Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob."—"Plain, Commentary",
1859.
Verse
2. The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more, etc. No doubt the
prayers which the faithful put up to heaven from under their private roofs were
very acceptable unto him; but if a saint's single voice in prayer be so sweet
to God's ear, much more the church choir, his saints' prayers in concert
together. A father is glad to see any one of his children, and makes him
welcome when he visits him, but much more when they come together; the greatest
feast is when they all meet at his house. The public praises of the church are
the emblem of heaven itself, where all the angels make but one concert.—William
Gurnall.
Verse
2. The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all, etc. It
is here assumed that the Lord loves the dwellings of Jacob—he loves those that
are true Israelites. These are succeeded by the name Christian, for the
Christian Church is now become the true Israel of God. He loves his saints on
account of that image of himself which they bear; he loves them on account of
those graces which are infused into them when they are renewed by the Spirit;
he loves them on account of the relation they stand in to him as his people,
and as his church, who are qualified for the duties of the relation by that
love of their Father, that reliance upon his care, that delight in his person,
that enjoyment in his service, which belongs to dutiful and affectionate children.
He loves them because they imitate his perfections in some humble
measure—because they receive the word of his mouth—because they are ready to
obey every call of his providence, setting themselves in the paths of his
testimony wherever he may direct—because they yield themselves to God, as those
that are alive from the dead, and their bodies as instruments of righteousness,
no longer walking after the deeds of the flesh, but after the will of God. He
takes a delight in them; the Lord delighteth in the righteous; he knoweth their
way; he loves, approves, and confirms them. The most common occupations of
life—the honest industry of the servants of God, is looked upon by him with
approbation. By these they show forth their Father, and the praises of him who
called them from darkness to light. The most ordinary duties of our calling
become sacrifices to God, and religious duties, when performed in the Spirit,
and directed to the great end of glorifying God. He looks with peculiar
complacency on the dwellings of his people on account of those domestic
devotional acknowledgments of his majesty which are there maintained, when the
head walks before his family as a priest to offer praise and thanksgiving; this
attracts peculiar approbation and delight. He loves to see his people training
up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and their children
walking after them in the paths of that obedience which he has enjoined. He
delights to see the course of purity which runs in Christian families. He loves
to see the progress which the younger parts of religious families make in
piety, while they grow in grace, and in favour with God and man. He looks down
with peculiar delight on such circles as these: there he deigns his presence,
and bestows peculiar blessings. However obscure the dwellings of Jacob may be,
to him they are open and manifest at all times; and whether in cottages or in
palaces, his eye rests there with complacency; and he says of such places,
"Here will I dwell forever and ever." Prayer and devotion sanctify
every family, and diffuse a spirit of piety through all the avocations of life,
so that we need not retire from the world, but are rather called to show forth
the virtues of the Christian life in it. But it is said, that, although "he
loves the dwellings of Jacob", yet "he loves the gates of Zion
more than all the dwellings of Jacob"—that nothing in the dwellings of
Jacob so much attracts his attention as the people of God connected together in
a spiritual capacity.
1.
In the first place, the Divine Being regards with peculiar complacency the
worship of his saints on its own account.
2.
On account of that union of mind and consent of heart, evinced in the
assembling of God's people together, and constituting themselves into a church.
3.
Because of the testimony which the church bears toward the truth.
4.
Upon account of that deference to his authority, which is evinced by
maintaining and keeping up the practice of those institutes which rest entirely
on that authority.
5.
By making the assembly of the saints the grand means of conversion.
6.
That peculiar presence of God is generally vouchsafed to his saints, and made
manifest to them, although it be hidden from the world, which induces the
conviction that God is present of a truth.
7.
The Divine Being shows his preference of the gates of Zion to the dwellings of
Jacob, by continually maintaining in operation those gifts which are for the
edification of the saints, and without which the union of the saints would be
with difficulty maintained.
8.
The Divine Being shows his preference to Zion by that marvellous protection
which is afforded to the interests of the church of God: whereby, though weak,
and frequently reduced to a handful of disciples, yet they have been protected,
and their society on earth continued.—Robert Hall.
Verse
2. Some absent themselves from public worship, under pretence that
they can serve the Lord at home as well in private. How many are apt to say,
they see not but their time may be as well spent at home, in praying, reading
some good book, or discoursing on some profitable subject, as in the use of
ordinances in public assemblies! They see not but private prayer may be as good
to them as public, or private reading and opening the Scripture as profitable as
public preaching; they say of their private duties, as Naaman of the waters of
Damascus, 2Ki 5:12: May I not serve the Lord as acceptably, with as much
advantage, in private exercises of religion? May I not wash in these and be
clean? They see not the great blessings God has annexed to public worship more
than to private. Oh, but if it be thus, if one be as good as the other, what
means the Lord to prefer one before the other? To what purpose did the Lord
choose the gates of Zion, to place his name there, if he might have been
worshipped as well in the dwellings of Jacob? How do men of this conceit run
counter to the Lord? He prefers the gates of Zion, not only before one or some,
but before all the dwellings of Jacob; and they prefer one such dwelling before
the gates of Zion.—David Clarkson.
Verse
3. Glorious things are spoken of the people of God. Take the
church for a visible congregation, a mixed congregation; glorious things are
spoken of that. It is the house of God. Take it as visible, `the vessels of
honour and dishonour', 2Ti 2:20, and the field, the `tares and the wheat', Mt
13:1 etc., it is God's field. Though we take the church as visible, it hath a
glorious name for the good that is in it, especially for the wheat. But take
the church of God for the company of his children that are gathered by the
means of grace, dwelling in the visible church, enjoying the ordinances: so
they are the house and temple of Christ, `the temple of the Holy Ghost, the
body of Christ, the spouse of Christ.' They are God's delight, they are
spiritual kings and priests, etc. The most glorious things that can be, all
other excellencies in the world are but titular things, mere shadows of things.
There is some little reality in earthly things, but it is nothing in comparison,
it is scarce worth the name of reality, but Solomon calls them "vanity of
vanities." In comparison of the excellencies of the church all is nothing.
I might be large in these particulars. It is enough to give you the generals of
the delights and excellencies of God's house, "the beauty of the
Lord."—Richard Sibbes.
Verse
3. The glories of the wilderness are in thee. The Schechinah,
which appeared upon Sinai, and marshalled the army of the Israelites upon their
journey through the wilderness, has now fixed its residence in thee, O city of
God. Compare Ps 68:17.—Samuel Horsley
Verse
4. —I will make mention, etc. As if he had said, I do not
deny the due praises which belong to other places and countries, but rather am
wont to make honourable mention of them among my acquaintance; and to allow
that this man, that is, some notable person, though comparatively of no
great value, was born in them.—Thomas Fenton.
Verse
4. Rahab, a poetical name of Egypt. The same word
signifies "fierceness, insolence, pride"; if Hebrew when applied to
Egypt, it would indicate the national character of the inhabitants.—Smith's
Dictionary of the Bible.
Verse
4.—It should comfort the church that God is able to make her
chiefest enemies to become converts, and that he hath done it sundry times, and
will yet do it more; and that he can take order with those enemies which shall
not be converted, as he did with Rahab and Babylon; for, I
will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me, signifieth a
mention making of them; viz., to the edification of the church's
children, both concerning what God had done in those nations in justice; and
what he would do to them in mercy, or unto other enemies like unto them.—David
Dickson.
Verse
4. Rahab, Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, Ethiopia. This is the
glory of the Church, that into her the fulness of the nations shall enter,—the
proud from Egypt, who for her haughtiness is called Rahab,—the worldly from
Babylon, the city of confusion,—the wrathful from Philistia, so long the
enemies of Israel,—the covetous from Tyre, the rich city of the traders,—and
the slaves of ignorance from Cush, and from the land of Ham,—all these shall
learn the love of Christ and confess his truth, and shall enter into that all
glorious city, and be admitted and acknowledged as citizens of the celestial
Sion.—"Plain Commentary".
Verse
4.—By this testimony of the nations here mentioned, we may
understand the testimony of the Gentile Christians in general, though, perhaps,
a special reference is had to that extraordinary scene which took place at
Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost: "And there were dwelling at Jerusalem
Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised
abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every
man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and
marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak
Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in his own tongue, wherein we were
born?" Ac 2:5-8. The reader will find that there is a remarkable agreement
between the nations specified in the book of the Acts, and the nations pointed
out in the Psalm before us. Rahab, that is, Egypt, is first mentioned; and in
the Acts we find enumerated, "Egypt and the parts of Libya about
Cyrene"; next Babylon is in the record; and the Parthians, Medes, and
Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, were inhabitants of what once was
the Babylonian empire: Philistia is also mentioned; and "dwellers in
Judea" are spoken of in the Acts—"dwellers in Judea" speaking a
different language from what was common at Jerusalem. Who could these be, so
probably, as the inhabitants of the ancient Philistia, which was in the
precincts of the allotment of Judah? Here, too, perhaps, on account of its port
of Joppa, was a grand resort of "Cretes and Arabians", and
"strangers of Rome." The Grecian settlements of Asia Minor are the
only ones specified in the Acts of the Apostles, which we have not noticed in
the Psalm—"Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia": but
what could so probably indicate these countries, and all who spoke the dialects
of the Grecian tongue, as the great mart of Tyre, in frequenting which, the
Jews would have the most frequent opportunity of intercourse with these
nations?—John Fry.
Verse
4. Born in her. The Missionary Society set forth in the
Prophets, by our Lord and by his apostles, is, the Church; and so, whereas our
natural state, after Adam's fall, was alienation from God, and disunion among
ourselves, would He restore "glory to God in the highest and on earth
peace, good will towards men", by binding us up in one holy fellowship,
and making the continuance of his blessings dependent upon that unity, which he
imparted and preserves. To adduce the whole proof for this, would be to go
through the whole Old Testament; for the Old Testament is direct prophecy and
type, is one large prophecy of the Redeemer and his Kingdom or Church. No
sooner had disunion multiplied with the multiplying of men, but in the second
generation from Adam, he formed union through a Church, and "Men began to
call upon the name of the Lord" (Ge 4:26), i.e., they began to
unite in worshipping the Lord, and amid the growing corruption, religion was no
longer entrusted to the insulated care of single families, but concentrated in
a church. And when, after the flood, one righteous man was called out of the
fast corrupting world, unity was preserved, in that one only was called, but in
that one a church was founded; for this was the reason assigned by God himself:
"All the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him. For I know him,
that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall
keep the way of the Lord", (Ge 18:18-19). "God called Abraham alone,
and blessed him, and increased him" (Isa 51:2), and formed the Jewish
Church out of him, that however largely it might spread, it might be bound in
one by its origin of one; and he gave it also outward marks and signs between
him and it, which by severing it from others, might keep it one in itself. The
temporal people had their union through a temporal birth of one, and outward
signs; the Christian Church has its unity by a spiritual birth, and inward
graces, through the power deposited in her to give spiritual birth, so that
through one mother, we are all born of one Father, God, and amongst ourselves
are brethren, by being members of One, our ever blessed Lord.
The
unity of the Christian Church and her office of gathering all nations unto the
Lord, are set forth, in many ways, in prophecy. Thus, in our Psalm, Zion is set
forth as the special object of God's love, as having (in language which
anticipates the Gospel) been "founded" by him "on the holy
mountains", as the "city of God", whereof "glorious things
are spoken." And what are these? That she should be the spiritual
birthplace of all nations. It is not merely said, as in other places, that they
should "come to her", should "flow into her", but that they
should be "born in her." "Of Zion it shall be said, This and
that man (i.e. all, one by one) was born in her; "and whence? all
the nations of the earth, Rahab or Egypt, Babylon, Tyre, Ethiopia, Philistia,
the most learned, the most powerful, the wealthiest, the furthest, and her
nearest, oldest and bitterest enemy Philistia, all, being already born after
the flesh, as Egyptians, Babylonians, Ethiopians, Tyrians, Philistines, should
be "born in her", and by being "born there", should become
children of God, citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem, written by God in the roll
of his book. "The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people, that
this man was born there"; he shall account them as his, being reborn in
his Church. In like manner, with regard to every prophecy, whereat men's hearts
beat, as an encouragement to Missionary labours. Throughout, it is the Lord and
Saviour of the Church, or the Church itself, filled with his Spirit, and
restored and enlarged, and widening herself by his favour, and gathering his
people into herself, his fold.—E.B. Pusey, in a Sermon entitled, "The
Church the Converter of the Heathen." 1838.
Verses
4-6. It is made the honour and dignity of Sion, that is, of the true
Church of God, to have such and such born in it: "this and that man
was born in her." There are two things signified in this
expression, as branches of their honour; the one is the quality of the
persons; and the other is the number of them. For the quality of
them, this; for the number of them, this and that. To have both
of these born in Sion, persons of note and eminency, and a multitude
and plurality of such persons; this is a part of that dignity and renown
which belongs unto it. . . . And so for the noun, man; the Hebrew word
vya which is here used for a man, except qualified by some other word as joined
with it, signifies a man of worth, not a common or ordinary person. The
Church brings forth such as these, Mvh yvna, men of renown, famous and eminent
men, and that in all kinds of perfections, whether natural, or civil, or
spiritual; men of parts, or men of power, or men of piety. There are those in
all these excellencies which have been and still are born in her.
First,
take it for natural or acquired abilities; men of parts, and
knowledge, and wisdom, and improved understandings; the church is not without
these: this man, i.e., this learned man, or this wise
man was born in Sion. All are not idiots who are Christians; no, but there are
some of very rare and admirable accomplishments in all kinds and pieces of
learning and secular knowledge, which are graciously qualified. There's Paul
with his parchments, and Peter with his fisher's net.
So
also secondly, take it for civil or secular qualifications; men of dignity, and
power, and estate: "this man", i.e., this honourable
man, Mynp awvn, eminent in countenance, as he is called, Isa 3:2, he is
likewise born in Sion; the mighty man, and the man of war. The Syriac
interpreter was so far sensible of this, as that he expresses it in the very
text; and therefore instead of saying, "This man was born
there", he says, "A potent man was born there, `and he
has established it; '"whereby (as I conceive), he takes in the word highest,
which follows afterwards in the verse, and refers it here to this place...And
again, the Chaldee paraphrast in the text, "This King was born
there", understanding thereby Solomon, as most conceive and apprehend it.
Thirdly,
take it for spirituals, and for these accomplishments especially; This
man, i.e., this godly man; this is that which is most proper
and essential to Sion, and to the being born in it; yea, it is that which makes
Sion itself, in the sense we now take it. It is the highest perfection of
it, and the greatest commendation to it of any thing else. This is the great
honour of the church, that it forms men to such qualities and dispositions as
those are, which no other place does beside...As for other places, they may
perhaps now and then reach to some other principles, and those likewise
very glorious in the eyes of the world—morality, and civility, and
ingenuity, and smoothness of behaviour. The school of nature and common reason
may sometimes come up to these, and that in a very great measure; yea, but now
go a little higher, to brokenness of heart, to self denial, to love of enemies,
to closing with Christ, the frame and spirit of the gospel; this is to be found
nowhere but only in Sion. And here it is: "This man was born
there."
Behold
Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there. Here's the
excellency of the ordinances, and that power and energy which is stirring in
the Church of Christ; that it is able to work such a miraculous alteration as
this; to bring men from darkness to light, from Satan to God, from a state
of sin and corruption and unregeneracy, to a state of grace and holiness and
regeneration; yea, from the lowest degree of the one to the highest degree of
the other. That Philistia should turn into Palestina, Tyre
into, Jerusalem, Ethiopia into Judea;here's the wonder of
all; the reconciling of these two opposite terms thus both together. That
"princes should come out of Egypt", and that Ethiopia
should stretch out her hands to God, as it is in Ps 68:31; that the blackamoor
should change his skin, and that the leopard should change his spots; and that
this Ethiopian should become this Christian; "that he which was born there,
should be born here." Thomas Horton, in "Zion's Birth
Register unfolded in a Sermon to the native citizens of London." 1656.
Verses
4-6. Foreign nations are here described not as captives or
tributaries, not even as doing voluntary homage to the greatness and glory of
Zion, but as actually incorporated and enrolled, by a new birth, among her
sons. Even the worst enemies of their race, the tyrants and oppressors of the
Jews, Egypt and Babylon, are threatened with no curse, no shout of joy is
raised at the prospect of their overthrow, but the privileges of citizenship
are extended to them, and they are welcomed as brothers. Nay more, God himself
receives each one as a child newly born into his family, acknowledges each as
his son, and enrols him with his own hand on the sacred register of his
children. It is the mode of anticipating a future union and brotherhood of all
the nations of the earth, not by conquest, but by incorporation into one state,
and by a birthright so acquired, which is so remarkable. In some of the
prophets, more especially in Isaiah, we observe the same liberal, conciliatory,
comprehensive language towards foreign states, as Tyre and Ethiopia, and still
more strikingly toward Egypt and Assyria (Isa 19:22-25). But the Psalm stands
alone amongst the writings of the Old Testament, in representing this union of
nations as a new birth unto the city of God ...It is the first announcement of
that great amity of nations, or rather of that universal common citizenship of
which heathen philosophers dreamt, which was "in the mind of Socrates when
he called himself a citizen of the world", which had become a common place
of Stoic philosophy, which Judaism tried finally to realize by the admission of
proselytes, through baptism, into the Jewish community; which Rome
accomplished, so far as the external semblance went, first by subduing the
nations, and then by admitting them to the rights of Roman citizenship. But the
true fulfilment of this hope is to be found only in that kingdom which Christ
has set up. He has gathered into his commonwealth all the kingdoms of the
earth. He has made men one, members of the same family, by teaching them to
feel that they are all children of the same Father. He has made it evident that
the hope of the Jewish singer is no false hope; that there is a Father in
heaven who cares for all, whatever name they bear. Thus the Psalm has received
a better and higher fulfilment than that which lies on the surface of its
words. It was fulfilled in Christ.—J. J. Stewart Perowne.
Verses
4-7. The main thought is that contained in Ps 87:4-7, the glorifying
of Sion by the reception of the heathen into the number of its citizens; and a
well defined form and arrangement of this thought forms the proper kernel of
the Ps 87:1-7, "Sion, the birth place of the nations", which
occurs in every one of the three verses (Ps 87:4-6), which are bounded by a
Selah behind and before.—E. W. Hengstenberg.
Verse
5. This man. The word rendered "Man" is
generally used for a person of eminence; and the clause "this and that
man", is simply, "a Man and a Man", which some think is used as
a peculiar superlative, and means, the most eminent of men, even the
Lord Jesus Christ, and they suppose that He, in his divine nature, is the
Highest who "shall establish the church." No doubt he is
the glory of the church, and of his people Israel; but his crucifixion was the
deepest disgrace imaginable to Jerusalem itself.—Thomas Scott.
Verse
5. This man. It is well to observe that the word for man,
used here, is not Mda adam, the common name for man, but vya ish,
which is usually employed when a name is introduced to be designated with
distinction and honour. There are in Hebrew, in fact, three words to designate
man, with varied signification—Mda adam, the common name; vya ish,
the name of excellency and honour; and vwna enosh, man in his weak and
inferior character, as liable to misfortune, misery, and death. The
illustrative discrimination with which these words are respectively employed,
gives to many passages of the Hebrew Scriptures a force and significance which
cannot be preserved in translation into a language which has but one word to
represent all these meanings—or indeed has no word for man but the one
answering to Adam, unless indeed our "male", in a sense of
dignity and strength, answers in some measure to ish.—John Kitto, in
"The Pictorial Bible."
Verse
6.—The Lord will count (rpoy) record it in a book,
when he writes up the people (Myme bwtkb) registers the several
nations of the earth; that "this man, was born in" Sion.
The Psalmist here describes the peculiar regard of God to the inhabitants of Jerusalem,
and figuratively represents him, as keeping a register of all the nations of
the earth, and marking, as it were, in that register every one that was a
citizen of Jerusalem, as thereby entitled to his distinguishing favour
and protection.—Samuel Chandler.
Verse
6. —This man was born there. When events shall be traced to
their principles at the last day, many a scene will come forth into prominence,
which now is of little regard. Humble churches will then prove to have been the
birthplace, and stately palaces the graves of many an immortal soul, while
every saved soul will ascribe its springs of glory to its Redeemer, through the
instrumentality of that church, which he has ordained.—Edward Garrard Marsh.
Verse
6.—Selah. The Hebrew text addeth "Selah",
which St. Jerome translates semper (always). For the Church, as a bride
glorious in her husband, shall evermore be preached of; glorious things shall
be spoken of her, and in her shall be continually sung the ineffable glory of
the everlasting grace of God in Christ our Lord. And so the Jews for the most
part interpret the word "Selah" by "everlasting".
This is evident in their epitaphs, even as the Jewish epitaph is in Hebrew at
Basle—"His soul continues in Paradise, Amen, Amen, Amen, forever and
ever."—Urbanus Regius (Le Roi) (1541) in "The Solace of
Sion."
Verse
7. The singers; the players on instruments. Song and music
were prominent features of Divine worship in David's time. This is evident from
the large number of two hundred and eighty-eight Levites who were expressly
appointed for singing and the performance of music. Not less than two hundred
and fifty-five singing men and singing women returned from the exile...The
chief instruments used by the Levites were, according to the records of the
Books of Chronicles, cymbals, harps, and lutes: according to Ps 5:1-12 (title),
we should add the flute, which is frequently noticed on Egyptian monuments.—Augustus
F. Tholuck.
Verse
7. (First clause). For all its inhabitants are expert
musicians; lit. Sing like flute players. The Hebrews seem to have
surpassed all nations in the skill of poetry and music; and every citizen could
sing and dance. This preeminence the Psalmist seems to hint at.—Alexander
Geddes.
Verse
7. All my springs are in thee. The original word ynyem, which
we render "springs", is used in a figurative sense, to denote any
one's posterity. Thus Pr 5:16, "Let thy fountains be dispersed
abroad"; i.e., thy posterity be exceeding numerous. And thus in the
place before us: the inhabitants of Jerusalem should triumph and sing, "All
my springs", or fountains, all my friends, my family, my children, are
in thee, are thy citizens, enjoy the glorious privileges thou art favoured
with, are all inserted in God's register, and entitled to his protection and
favour. Thus there is a harmony and connection between all the parts of this
ode, which I think is very intelligible and poetical.—Samuel Chandler.
Verse
7. All my springs are in thee. Whatever conduit pipe be used,
Christ is the fountain and foundation of every drop of comfort; Christ is the
God of all true consolation. It is not in the power of all the angels of heaven
to give any soul one drop of comfort, nor can all on earth give you one drop of
comfort. They can speak the words of comfort, but they cannot cause the soul to
receive comfort. God comforts by them, 2Co 7:6. Titus was but an instrument.
Comforting is called frequently in Scripture the speaking to the heart, Ho
2:14. Who is able to speak to the heart but he who is the Lord and commander of
the heart? God hath put all the oil of spiritual joy into the hands of Christ,
Isa 61:3, and none but he can give it out. He that wants comfort must go to
Christ, he that hath received any true comfort must ascribe it to Christ.
"All my springs", saith the Church, "are in thee."—Ralph
Robinson.
Verse
7. The silver springs of grace, and the golden springs of glory are
in him.—Thomas Watson.
Verse
7. Springs. The meaning of this verse is obscure, partly from
its abrupt brevity, and partly from the ambiguity of one word. The word "springs"
is, beyond all controversy, to be here taken metaphorically; but interpreters
are not agreed as to the explanation of the metaphor. Some understand it as
denoting hopes, some affections, and others thoughts. Did
the idiom of the language admit, I would willingly subscribe to the opinion of
those who translate it melodies or songs. But as this might be
considered unsupported by the usage of the Hebrew term, I am rather inclined to
adopt, as most suitable to the subject in hand, the opinion that lookings
is the proper translation, the root of the word signifying an eye. It is
as if the Psalmist had said, I will always be earnestly looking, as it were,
with fixed eyes upon thee.—John Calvin.
Verse
7. My springs.
Whether
songs or melodies
In Thee are all my well springs.
This
passage is given obscurely in most of the versions; it is here rendered
strictly, and, as the author hopes, perspicuously. As the Greeks had their
Pierian springs, their fountains of Aganippe dedicated to the Muses, Jerusalem
had, in like manner, her sacred springs, her fountains of inspiration, in a
much higher degree. It is to these the holy bard alludes in the passage before
us, as Milton does in the following, who has perhaps copied from the present in
his address to the "Heavenly Muse":
"Or
if Zion's hill
Delight thee more, or Siloa's fount that flowed
Hard by the oracle of God, I thence
Invoke thine aid to my adventurous song."
—John Mason Good.
Verse
7. —All my springs. Fitly may we here quote the delightful
hymn of Robert Robinson which has puzzled so many, but which has in it a fine
classical allusion to Hippocrene and Mount Parnassus.
"Come,
thou fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace,
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach
me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above:
Praise the mount—oh fix me on it,
Mount of God's unchanging love."—C.H.S.
HINTS TO THE
VILLAGE PREACHER
Verses
2-3.
1.
The foundation of Zion.
(a)
It is but one: "foundation."
(b) It is the Lord's: "his."
(c) It is in conformity with holiness: "holy mountains."
(d) It consists of eternal purposes.
(e) It is built up on immutable principles.
(f) It is situated in a glorious position.
2.
The favour enjoyed by Zion.
(a)
God "loves the dwellings of Jacob." He led, fed, guarded, lighted,
visited them.
(b)
He loves Zion "better"; and gives all those blessings in a richer
form.
(c)
There are more to love.
(d)
Their occupations are more spiritual.
(e)
Their songs and worship are more enthusiastic.
(f)
Their testimony is more powerful.
(g)
Their knowledge of truth is more clear.
(h)
Their fellowship is on a scale more heavenly. Let us be in the Church, and love
her.
3.
The fame of Zion. "Glorious things are spoken",
(a)
of her in history;
(b) in her by ministry;
(c) for her by Jesus;
(d) about her in prophecy.
Here
is a fruitful theme.
Verse
3. The idea of the text presents the Church as "the city of
God": let us touch upon some of the "glorious things" that are
spoken of it.
1.
There are glorious things with respect to the erection of the city.
(a)
There is the plan of its erection. There was never a plan so faultless, so
complete, so wonderful for its beauty and grandeur. The gates, the walls, the
buildings, the streets, the monuments, the fountains, the gardens, unite to
proclaim it a master piece of skill. The Architect was he who built the skies.
(b)
There is the site where the city is erected. See Ps 87:1.
(c)
There is the date of the city's erection. A halo and a glory attach, in
a case like this, to great antiquity. Now it is long since the city was built.
It was standing in the days of Paul "Ye are come unto the city of the
living God." Heb 12:22. David was well acquainted with it. Ps 46:1-11.
(d)
It was standing before the flood. Noah, Enoch, Abel, dwelt in it. It is almost
as old as the creation.
2.
There are glorious things to tell of the defences of the city. It has been
besieged ever since it was a city at all, and it is not taken to this hour.
"We have a strong city", etc.
3.
There are glorious things in connection with the stores and supplies
on which the city depends;
(a)
their excellence;
(b) their abundance;
(c) their source.
4.
There are glorious things respecting the King of the city; his name,
person, character, etc.
5.
There are glorious things in connection with the citizens of the day.—Andrew
Gray, 1805-1861.
Verse
3.
1.
Observe, that a city is not like a flower, a tree, or a plant—something that
grows out of the earth, and is nourished from the earth, and dependent wholly
on its juices. It is an artificial thing, constructed by wisdom and raised by
power, as it was designed by genius and forethought.
2.
A city upon earth is surrounded generally by walls.
3.
Jerusalem (the most celebrated of cities, from which this figure is obviously
drawn) was built upon the brow of a hill, an extremely conspicuous and
beautiful object.
4.
In a city there are various buildings, and structures of various shapes,
materials and value: illustrate by the different denominations, & c.
5.
A city has municipal laws.
6.
It has also trade, traffic, & c.
7.
The figure, as applied to the Church of Christ, involves the idea of safety or
security, honour, & c.
8.
There is also the idea of fewness.—John Cumming, 1843.
Verse
3. The things "spoken" of the city of God.
1.
It shall be the permanent and the peculiar residence of God.
2.
It shall be the scene of delightful privileges and blessings.
3.
It shall be invested with absolute and inviolable security.
4.
It shall possess renown and empire throughout the whole world.
5.
Its institutions and existence shall be perfected in the celestial state.—James
Parsons, 1839.
Verse
4. (last clause).
1.
Behold what the "man" was: a native of "Philistia", a
heathen, and an enemy to God.
2.
Behold what happened to him: he "was born there," i.e. new
born in Zion.
3.
Behold what he became—he became by his new birth a freeman and burgess of Zion,
& c.
Verses
4-5.
1.
What is not the most honourable birth place—not Rahab nor Egypt, nor Babylon,
nor any earthly palace or kingdom.
2.
What is? "Of Zion", & c.
(a)
Because it is a nobler birth; a being born again of the Spirit of God.
(b)
Because it is a nobler place; the residence of the Highest, and established for
ever.
(c)
Because it brings nobler rank and privileges.—G.R.
Verses
4-7.
1.
Zion shall produce many good and great men.
2. Zion's interest shall be established by divine power.
3. Zion's sons shall be registered with honour.
4. Zion's songs shall be sung with joy and triumph.—Matthew Henry.
Verses
4-7.
1.
The excellence of the church is here stated.
2.
Her enlargement is here promised.—J. Scholefield, 1825.
Verse
5. The renowned men of the church of God.
1.
Great warriors, who have fought with temptation.
2.
Great poets, whose lives were Psalms.
3.
Great heroes, who have lived and died for Jesus.
4.
Great kings, who have ruled themselves, & c. Apostles, martyrs, confessors,
reformers, men renowned for virtues such as only grace can produce.
Verse
5. This and that man. The individuality of true religion.
1.
Each soul sins for itself.
2.
Rejects or accepts the Saviour for itself.
3.
Must be judged, and
4.
Saved or lost individually. The consequent need of personal piety; the
temptations to neglect it; and the habits which promote it.
Verse
5. (last clause). The Established Church of God—her Head, her
protection, her power. & c.
Verse
6.
1.
"The Lord" will make the Census.
2. He will "count" whether a man be rightly there or no.
3. Every man truly born in Zion shall be admitted on the register.
Verse
6.
1.
The time referred to. "When he writeth up", & c.; when all the
true Israel is saved.
2.
The account to be taken: "When he writeth up", & c., i.e. revises
and reenters the names in the Lamb's Book of Life. Compares the called with the
chosen.
3.
The test to be applied.
(a)
Their being in Zion, or having the means of grace.
(b) Their being born there.
4.
The completion of their number: "The Lord shall count." An exact
number of stones in a perfect building and of members in a perfect body. So in
Christ's Church. All make one bride.
5.
The notice taken of each one: "This man was born there." Men fell as
a whole; they are saved individually. —G.R.
Verse
7.
1.
In God our joy.
2. From God our supplies.
3. To God our praise.
Verse
7. (last clause).—All the springs within me, all the springs
which flow for me, are in my God. There are "upper and nether
springs", springs "shut up", "valley" springs (Ps
104:10), rock springs, & c.; but all these flow from the Lord.
WORKS UPON THE
EIGHTY-SEVENTH PSALM
In "Sermons
preached before the University of Oxford ...by John Eveleigh, D.D., 1815,
"is "Sermon, twelve, in which is proposed a New Interpretation of
the Eighty-Seventh Psalm."
The
Solace of Sion, and Joy of Jerusalem. Or consolation of God's Church in the
latter age, redeemed by the preaching of the Gospel universally. Being a godly
and learned exposition of the Eighty-Seventh Psalme of the Princelye Prophet
David: Written in Letine by the reverend Doctor Urbanus Regius, Pastor of
Christes Church at Zelle, in Saxonie 1536. Translated into English by R.
Robinson, Citizen of London, 1587.
── C.H. Spurgeon《The Treasury of David》