Passage: Psalm 87
The Big Idea
Psalm 87 is short and surprising. God loves the gates of Zion, His city. Then He names Israel’s old enemies (Egypt, called Rahab, Babylon, Philistia, Tyre and Ethiopia) and registers people from those nations as born in Zion. It’s a prophetic glimpse of the gospel going to every nation, where people from everywhere are born again into the city of God. The singers’ response: All my springs are in You.
Reflections
His foundation is in the holy mountains (v. 1). You’re higher than me, from the heavens. You need nothing from earth, yet You reach down and love us. You’re holy, and Your world is perfect and right.
The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob (v. 2). Zion is where You chose to dwell and meet with Your people.
Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God! (v. 3). You made a holy city on a mountain so You could live with Your people.
I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to those who know Me… “This one was born there” (vv. 4-6). You love all people and invite them all into Your city. When You register the peoples, former enemies are written down as Your own citizens. Such love!
All my springs are in You (v. 7). You’re the source of everything. No matter where we were born, we’re born again into Your city and kingdom (Galatians 4:26; Philippians 3:20).
Grace Takeaway
In Christ, your birthplace isn’t what defines you. God writes your name in His register as born in Zion. Whatever you came from, all your springs are now in Him.
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