God's Town

                                                                        Psalm 87:1-7

 August 9, 2022

 

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 people, “This one was born there.” Selah

Singers and dancers alike say, “All my springs are in you.”

When we live in a city or town, many of us want to know how it got established and who was the founder, the Psalmist tells us that Jerusalem's founder and the one who established it was God.  Gates often to keep others out or to increase security, but in the time of the Psalmist, most social interaction and commercial transactions took place at the gates of a city. (HCSB page 966 in notes)  In verse three, God not only is the founder of Jerusalem, But He has also claimed it as His.

 

Once again we understand the need for guidance from a teacher of Scripture or a good study Bible to grasp the meaning of the list of the areas such as Babylon once a mighty city and also an enemy of Israel.  But without a Study Bible, I would not have known that Rahab was referring to a mythical dragon-like chaos monster, that represented Egypt.

 

So as you study verses 5-6, go with me to Isaiah 62:1-5, and see what we call the future; this is what the city of Jerusalem has to look forward to.  “For Zion's sake, I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem's sake, I will not be quiet, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch.  The nations shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory, and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give.
You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.  You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate, but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married.  For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.”

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice