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This psalm is a Zion psalm like Psalms 48, 76, 84, 122, 137. Like Psalm 84 and 85, this one was also written by the sons of Korah. The historical context of this Psalm is unknown as it could have been written before, during, or after the Babylonian exile. It has such a distant future perspective and symbolism, that it does not matter when it was written.
I. A Hymn that praises Zion [The kingdom of God] (vs. 1–2)
A. Zion symbolizes God’s kingdom presence (The humans, angels, and places submitted to the Messiah’s Lordship)
B. God created the heavenly Jerusalem and God chose the earthly Jerusalem to be the place where his name dwelt
C. The hills on which the city of David and Jerusalem was built were not holy when the Jebusites were there. It was God’s presence in the tabernacle and temple that made the hills holy under earthly Jerusalem
D. God has chosen this place and passed by all other man-made holy sites
What will one answer the messengers of the nation? The LORD has founded Zion, and in her the afflicted of his people find refuge. (Isa 14:32 ESV)
Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD, behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed. (Isa 28:16 NAU)
For he (Abraham) was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. (Heb 11:10 ESV)
Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, "Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb." And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed-- (Rev 21:9 ESV)
E. God in his sovereignty chose the holy mountains of Jerusalem rather than any of the other dwelling places of Jacob (Deut 12:21)
For the LORD has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his dwelling place: (Psa 132:13 ESV)
F. Yahveh continually loves Zion more than any other city (gates are symbolic for the city)
II. A list that God keeps in Heaven (vs. 3–6)
A. The focus changes in vs. 3 from earthly Jerusalem to the heavenly city of God
B. The focus changes to the future unfulfilled prophecies spoken about Jerusalem
(See Isa 2:2–4, 26:1–2, 60:15–22, 61:1–7)
C. This heavenly city has an inhabitants list, a directory, a scroll, a book
By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day--and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life. (Rev 21:24–27 ESV)
D. The former captors and tormentors of Israel will have converts there
1. Rahab the monster is Egypt
2. Babylonian Empire
E. Closer antagonist of Israel will have converts in this city and on this list
1. Philistines
2. Phoenicians from Tyre
F. Distant Gentiles will have converts there, Ethiopia (scattered nations)
G. All these Gentiles do not just fear God, the know God
H. There is a textual variant in vs. 5 which includes the word “mother”
and Zion shall be called a mother in whom men of every race are born. (Ps 87:5a NEB)
I. Paul seems to believe “mother” belongs in this verse by his allusion
But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. (Gal 4:26 ESV)
J. Everyone on God’s list in the book of Life belongs to Him
Therefore, remember your former state: you Gentiles by birth- called the Uncircumcised by those who, merely because of an operation on their flesh, are called the Circumcised- at that time had no Messiah. You were estranged from the national life of Isra'el. You were foreigners to the covenants embodying God's promise. You were in this world without hope and without God. But now, you who were once far off have been brought near through the shedding of the Messiah's blood. For he himself is our shalom- [peace] he has made us both one and has broken down the m'chitzah [temple court wall] which divided us (Eph 2:11–14 CJB)
K. The Most High God established the heavenly Jerusalem and the people who will dwell there from every tribe, language, and people (Rev 5:9–10)
L. The city registry of the heavenly Jerusalem was written by God
(Exod 32:32; Ps 69:28; Dan 12:1; Mal 3:16; Phil 4:3; Rev 13:8, 21:27)
III. A joyful celebration in earthly Zion (vs. 7)
A. The Psalmist brings us back to earth for a celebration
B. The singers and the dancers agree that their thirst will be quenched in Zion
C. Zion still has fresh water flowing for the city (see Hezekiah’s tunnel)
D. Corporate worship brought great joy to this people as well as the promises of heaven
Singers and dancers alike say, "For me, you are the source of everything." (Psa 87:7 CJB)
E. The gathered people of God are a taste of heaven
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. (Ps 46:4 NIV)
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. (Rev 22:1–5 ESV)
Lessons to live by:
• Be very grateful that your name is recorded in heaven (Luke 10:20) if you belong to Jesus and know Him and He knows you (Mat 7:21–23)
• Enjoy your earthly fellowship with other believers, but realize it is just a foretaste
• Set your hopes and joy on the city that was built by God alone
• Sing about reaches all peoples like these ancient people did. But don’t be like Jonah and get mad at God because He shows grace and mercy to people different from you
• Realize that being in God’s kingdom means submitting to His King, the Lord Jesus, the Messiah of Israel and light of the Gentiles
A hymn that teaches these things starts like this:
Glorious things of thee are spoken,
Zion, city of our God;
he whose word cannot be broken
formed thee for his own abode;
on the Rock of Ages founded,
what can shake thy sure repose?
With salvation's walls surrounded,
thou may'st smile at all thy foes.
See! the streams of living waters,
spring form eternal love,
well supply thy sons and daughters
and all fear of want remove.
Who can faint, when such a river
ever flows their thirst to assuage?
Grace which, like the Lord, the Giver,
never fails from age to age.
Round each habitation hovering,
see the cloud and fire appear
for a glory and a covering,
showing that the Lord is near.
Thus they march, their pillar leading,
light by night, and shade by day;
daily on the manna feeding
which he gives them when they pray.
Blest inhabitants of Zion,
washed in the Redeemer's blood!
Jesus, whom their souls rely on,
makes them kings and priests to God.
'Tis his love his people raises
over self to reign as kings:
and as priests, his solemn praises
each for a thank-offering brings.
Savior, if of Zion's city,
I through grace a member am,
let the world deride or pity,
I will glory in thy Name.
Fading is the worldling's pleasure,
all his boasted pomp and show;
solid joys and lasting treasure
none but Zion's children know.
[Words by: John Newton, 1779]
