Psalm 87

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 87:7

As well the singers as the players on the instruments shall be there ,.... In Zion, in the church; signifying that there should be great spiritual joy there when the above things should be accomplished; great joy in the churches, because of the conversion of Jews and Gentiles; and great joy in the persons themselves, born again, and brought to Zion; in allusion to the vocal and instrumental music used in the temple service; see Isaiah 35:10 . all my springs are in thee ; which are... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 87

The nature and glorious privileges of Zion and Jerusalem, Psalm 87:1-3 . No other city to be compared to this, Psalm 87:4 . The privilege of being born in it, Psalm 87:5 , Psalm 87:6 . Its praises celebrated, Psalm 87:7 . The title, A Psalm or Song for the sons of Korah, gives us no light into the author or meaning of this Psalm. It begins and ends so abruptly that many have thought it to be only a fragment of a larger Psalm. This opinion is very likely. Those who suppose it to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 87:1

His foundation is in the holy mountains - Jerusalem was founded on the mountains or hills of Zion and Moriah. The after increase of the population obliged the inhabitants to inclose all the contiguous hills; but Zion and Moriah were the principal. We know that ancient Rome was built on seven hills. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 87:2

The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob - That is, he preferred Zion for his habitation, to be the place of his temple and sanctuary, before any other place in the promised land. Mystically, the Lord prefers the Christian Church to the Jewish: the latter was only a type of the former; and had no glory by reason of the glory that excelleth. To this position no exception can be made. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 87:3

Glorious things are spoken of thee - Or, there are glorious words or doctrines in thee. Does this refer to the glorious doctrines of the Christian Church? These are glorious sayings indeed. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 87:4

I will make mention of Rahab - The meaning seems to be, Rahab, i.e., Egypt, Babylon, Tyre, Philistia, and Ethiopia are not so honorable as Jerusalem. To be born in any of them is no privilege when compared with being a native of Jerusalem: their cities are but heads of villages; Jerusalem alone is a City. I have met with a very similar sentiment in a Persian work, of which I know not the author: Tche Mesr , o tche Sham , o tche Birr o Buhr . Heme rustaee and read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 87:5

This and that man was born in her - It will be an honor to any person to have been born in Zion. But how great is the honor to be born from above, and be a citizen of the Jerusalem that is from above! To be children of God, by faith in Christ Jesus! The Targum has, "David the king, and Solomon his son, were brought up here." The Highest himself shall establish her - The Christian Church is built on the foundation of the prophets and apostles; Jesus Christ himself being the Cornerstone. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 87:6

The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people - עמים בכתוב bichthob ammim , in the register of the people. When he takes account of those who dwell in Jerusalem, he will particularly note those who were born in Zion. This has an easy spiritual meaning. When God takes an account of all professing Christians, he will set apart those for inhabitants of the New Jerusalem who were born in Zion, who were born again, received a new nature, and were fitted for heaven. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 87:7

As well the singers, etc. - Perhaps, this may mean no more than, The burden of the songs of all the singers and choristers shall be, "All my fountains (ancestors and posterity) are in thee;" and consequently, entitled to all thy privileges and immunities. Instead of שרים sharim , "singers," many MSS. and early printed editions have, sarim, "princes." Some for מעיני mayenai , "my fountains," would read with several of the Versions, מעוני meoney , "habitations;" but no MS. yet... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 87:1

Verse 1 1His foundations are in the holy mountains. Those who conceive that Jerusalem is here meant, as if it were said to be founded upon the holy mountains, are in my judgment mistaken; for the relative is in the masculine gender. Some learned men, I am aware, defend this opinion, by supposing that the words, the people, are to be supplied, although it is the capital of Judea which is specified. But it is unnecessary for me to say any thing to prove what is apparent to all, that this... read more

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