View Psalms 87 in the note window.
This psalm contains a commendation of Zion, a type of the gospel - church,
which is here preferred before the rest of the land of Canaan,
ver. 1,2,3.
And before any other place, as being filled with more eminent men, and
more of divine blessings, ver. 4 - 7.
A psalm or song for the sons of Korah.
1: Its foundation - The foundation of the temple of God.
2: 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.
4: 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.
5: 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.
6: 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.
7: 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.
