READ: Ps. 87:1–7: … The LORD loves the gates of Zion … the city of God … This one and that one were born in her; And the Most High Himself shall establish her … The LORD will record, When He registers the peoples … Both the singers and the players on instruments say, ‘All my springs are in you.’
This psalm points to the church as the city of God, Zion, which He loves. In the Old Testament this is Jerusalem, where the LORD dwells in the midst of His chosen people Israel. There He lives in covenant fellowship with His people: He has chosen her, and He loves her. That city is holy because He is holy. His holiness—He Himself—is her foundation (v.1). He Himself is the standard and the strength of His people. There can be peace with Him there only through the ministry of reconciliation.
Very glorious things are spoken of this church (v.3). These glorious things have everything to do with the LORD Himself. His holiness, His love, His faithfulness, His truth, His grace, and His peace are bestowed upon all who may dwell with Him in His city.
In the New Testament this applies to the one holy catholic and apostolic church, which from Jerusalem has spread throughout the whole world. For her these blessings apply in an even fuller and richer measure, for she has been purchased with the blood of her Saviour.
This new Jerusalem is even heavenly, because the Head of the church, Jesus Christ, now blesses His people from heaven. Phil. 3:20 says: ‘For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.’ Gal. 3:28 further says: ‘There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female.’
With a prophetic outlook, this psalm already speaks of these things. It points ahead to Pentecost, when the proclamation of the gospel would go out into all the world. Then believers from the Gentile nations—even those who had once been bitter enemies of God’s people—would become full members of the church and citizens of the new Jerusalem. Inhabitants of Egypt (Rahab), Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Ethiopia would all be included. Through their new birth they are entered into the register of God’s church as children of Christ. There they too receive streams of salvation, leading them to offer the highest praise to God (v.7).
Do you recognize these ‘glorious things’ in the church?
Sing: Ps. 87:1,4,5