# Overview Psalm 87 is a hymn celebrating the city of #Zion, also known as #Jerusalem, as the chosen dwelling place of #God. The psalm opens by affirming the Lord's love for Zion, emphasizing its foundation on the holy mountains. The significance of the city is highlighted by its distinction as the preferred dwelling of God, surpassing all other locations in the land of #Israel. The psalmist declares that God will record Zion as the birthplace of many nations, indicating the city's universal significance and the spiritual heritage it offers to peoples from diverse backgrounds. This underscores the theme of inclusivity and the prophetic vision of Zion as a spiritual center for all nations, aligning with other scriptural promises about the gathering of the nations to worship the one true God. The psalm continues by listing several nations, such as #Rahab (a poetic name for #Egypt), #Babylon, #Philistia, #Tyre, and #Cush, as those who will be recognized as being born in Zion. This remarkable declaration points forward to the New Testament concept of the #Kingdom_of_God being open to all people through #Christ. The mention of these nations, traditionally seen as adversaries or outsiders, now being part of Zion, foreshadows the breaking down of barriers in the body of #Christ, where there is neither Jew nor Gentile, as expressed in #Galatians 3:28. The psalm concludes with a joyful affirmation of Zion’s role in God’s redemptive plan, as musicians and singers celebrate, declaring that all their fountains are in Zion, symbolizing the spiritual life and blessing that flow from the presence of God. ## Theological Insights Psalm 87 is a profound reflection on the #universal nature of God's salvation and the centrality of #Zion as the focal point of divine presence and blessing. This chapter presents a vision where #Jerusalem, the city of God, becomes the spiritual epicenter for all nations, emphasizing the inclusivity of God's kingdom. 1. **Zion as the City of God**: The chapter begins by highlighting the foundation of Zion on the "holy mountains" (Psalm 87:1). This symbolizes not only the physical elevation but also the spiritual significance of Zion as the dwelling place of God. Zion is described with great affection as "the gates of Zion" that God loves more than all the other dwellings of Jacob (Psalm 87:2), indicating its special status in the divine plan. 2. **Inclusion of the Nations**: A significant theological insight in Psalm 87 is the inclusion of the Gentiles. The Psalmist mentions nations like #Rahab (a poetic name for #Egypt), #Babylon, #Philistia, #Tyre, and #Cush (Psalm 87:4), symbolizing the historic enemies and distant lands. These nations are recorded as being born in Zion, suggesting a radical redefinition of identity and belonging. This prophetic vision anticipates the New Testament revelation of Gentile inclusion in the people of God, as seen in [[Acts/Acts Chapter 10|Acts 10]] and [[Ephesians/Ephesians Chapter 2|Ephesians 2]]. 3. **Spiritual Birthright**: The repeated phrase "this one and that one were born in her" (Psalm 87:5-6) underscores the spiritual rebirth and the new identity granted to those who are part of God's covenant community. This echoes the New Testament concept of being "born again" (see [[John/John Chapter 3|John 3]]) and reflects the transformative power of God's grace that transcends ethnic and geographic boundaries. 4. **Joyful Celebration**: The chapter concludes with the declaration that all who are recorded in Zion will experience joy and celebration, as expressed in "all my springs are in you" (Psalm 87:7). This imagery of springs signifies life, sustenance, and joy, pointing to the abundant life found in relationship with God. It parallels the living water that Jesus offers in [[John/John Chapter 4|John 4:14]]. In sum, Psalm 87 offers a prophetic glimpse of God's redemptive plan that includes all nations, with Zion as the symbol of God’s presence and the locus of spiritual rebirth. It affirms the inclusive and expansive nature of the #KingdomofGod, where the barriers between nations are overcome by the unifying love and purpose of the #Lord. ## Thematic Connections ### The City of God Psalm 87 emphasizes the significance of #Zion, the city of #God. This theme is prevalent throughout the #Psalms and the #OldTestament. Zion is depicted as God's chosen dwelling place, a motif also found in [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 48]], where it is celebrated as the joy of the whole earth. This connection highlights Zion's central role in God’s plan for His people and its symbolic representation of God’s presence. ### Inclusion of the Nations The inclusion of the #nations in the blessings of Zion is a prominent theme in Psalm 87. This prophetic vision of inclusivity resonates with the promise to #Abraham in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 12]], where all families of the earth are to be blessed through him. This theme is further echoed in the New Testament, where the Gospel extends to all nations, as seen in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 28|Matthew 28:19]]. ### Divine Establishment and Stability The foundation of Zion by God Himself underscores a theme of divine establishment and stability. This is mirrored in other scriptures such as [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 46]], which speaks of God being in the midst of the city, ensuring its immovability. This theme of God’s sovereign establishment invites believers to trust in His unshakeable purposes and plans. ### The Rejoicing of God's People The joy and celebration of those who are counted among the citizens of Zion is a theme that echoes throughout the Psalms. For instance, [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 126]] describes the joy of the captives returning to Zion. This rejoicing reflects the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises and the joy that comes from being part of God’s covenant community. ### Spiritual Birthright and Identity Psalm 87 speaks of a spiritual birthright that transcends ethnic and national boundaries, identifying those born in Zion as belonging to God’s people. This theme of spiritual identity is also found in the New Testament, where believers are described as being "born again" into a new spiritual family, as seen in [[John/John Chapter 3|John 3:3]] and the identification of believers as citizens of heaven in [[Philippians/Philippians Chapter 3|Philippians 3:20]]. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### The Glory of Zion Psalm 87 speaks prophetically of #Zion, the city of God, which is foundational in biblical prophecy regarding the future glory and significance of #Jerusalem. This chapter anticipates the time when Zion will be recognized as the spiritual center of the world, a theme resonant with prophecies found in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 2|Isaiah 2:2-3]] and [[Micah/Micah Chapter 4|Micah 4:1-2]], where many nations will come to the mountain of the Lord, seeking His ways and instruction. ### The Inclusion of the Nations The reference to individuals from #Rahab (Egypt), #Babylon, #Philistia, #Tyre, and #Cush (Ethiopia) being born in Zion anticipates the universal scope of God's salvation, as prophesied in the inclusion of the Gentiles. This prophetic vision is fulfilled in the New Testament, where the gospel reaches all nations, as seen in the commissioning of the disciples in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 28|Matthew 28:19]] to make disciples of all nations. It is also echoed in the vision of #Revelation where every tribe, tongue, and nation worships before the throne of God ([[Revelation/Revelation Chapter 7|Revelation 7:9]]). ### The City of the Great King The chapter emphasizes Zion as the city founded by God, a theme that has its ultimate fulfillment in the New Jerusalem described in [[Revelation/Revelation Chapter 21|Revelation 21]], where God dwells with His people eternally. This fulfillment points to the eschatological hope of believers, where the earthly Zion serves as a precursor to the heavenly city, the ultimate dwelling place of God with humanity. ### The Record of the People The prophecy that "this one was born there" signifies God's recognition of those who belong to Zion, fulfilling the promise of divine acknowledgment and citizenship in God's kingdom, as seen in the book of life references in [[Revelation/Revelation Chapter 3|Revelation 3:5]] and [[Revelation/Revelation Chapter 21|Revelation 21:27]]. This anticipates the eternal significance of spiritual birth and identity in God's redemptive plan. ## Verses - **Psalm 87:1** - "On the holy mountain stands the city founded by the Lord." - Note: Reference to #Zion or #Jerusalem as the city of #God. See also [[Psalm/Psalm 48]], [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 2]]. - **Psalm 87:2** - "He loves the city of Jerusalem more than any other city in Israel." - Note: God's special affection for #Jerusalem. Compare with [[2 Samuel/2 Samuel Chapter 5]], [[1 Kings/1 Kings Chapter 11]]. - **Psalm 87:3** - "O city of God, what glorious things are said of you! Interlude" - Note: The city is praised for its divine establishment. See also [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 60]], [[Hebrews/Hebrews Chapter 12]]. - **Psalm 87:4** - "I will count Egypt and Babylon among those who know me—also Philistia and Tyre, and even distant Ethiopia. They have all become citizens of Jerusalem!" - Note: An inclusive vision of nations joining #Jerusalem. Refer to [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 19]], [[Zechariah/Zechariah Chapter 14]]. - **Psalm 87:5** - "Regarding Jerusalem it will be said, 'Everyone enjoys the rights of citizenship there.' And the Most High will personally bless this city." - Note: The universal citizenship in #Zion. See also [[Galatians/Galatians Chapter 4]], [[Revelation/Revelation Chapter 21]]. - **Psalm 87:6** - "When the Lord registers the nations, he will say, 'They have all become citizens of Jerusalem.' Interlude" - Note: God’s record of nations. Compare with [[Psalm/Psalm 69]], [[Revelation/Revelation Chapter 20]]. - **Psalm 87:7** - "The people will play flutes and sing, 'The source of my life springs from Jerusalem!'" - Note: Joy and life emanating from #Zion. See also [[Psalm/Psalm 46]], [[John/John Chapter 4]].