Psalm Chapter 87

A Psalm or Song for the sons of Korah.

• Psalm 87:1  His foundation is in the holy mountains.

Notice it says His foundation is in the holy mountains, not all mountains. God's foundation is always holy and just. He is holy. He is perfect in every way. There is nothing that we can ever find fault with God over.

Jesus is God in the flesh. He is the very Son of God that came to die for the sins of all mankind. He never broke the law of God in one instance. That is why Jesus makes the perfect sacrificial lamb to pay the price for sins.

The just suffered for the unjust. The righteous one suffered for the unrighteous. He is holy and good. He is perfect in every way just as God His father is. God becomes the father of all who believe in His Son Jesus Christ.

Those who continue in sin and reject Jesus Christ are really the children of the wicked one, even Satan. God is not the father of anyone who rejects His Son. If there had been another way to save mankind, Jesus would not have had to die on the cross as a sacrifice for sin. 

The Psalmist points out the holiness of God and what is in the mind of God.

• Psalm 87:2 The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.

What the Lord loves is a righteous nation that Israel will become. These things are sometimes written as a prophecy of the future. We see now the nation of Israel back in their homeland after being scattered for centuries. In 1948 after World War 2, Israel returned home to become a nation again.

• Psalm 87:3 Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.

Jerusalem will one day again be the city of God. No one or nothing can keep that from happening no matter how great and powerful he or she may excel in the temporary power in their lifetime.

• Psalm 87:4 I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.
• 5 And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her.

I believe King David is speaking of Himself here. That he was born in this area but he could be alluding to the seed that shall come through his lineage. Jesus who is the Christ, the Messiah of Israel and savior. I get this from the part that says, "The highest himself shall establish her."

Jesus Christ came to us from Heaven but born in the flesh. He came to the earth as a baby and grew to manhood. He then preached the gospel or good news that He came to save the world from sin. He then was put to death willingly to pay the price for sin. His death counts on behalf of all who believe in Him.

He will set up His kingdom from Jerusalem. It shall be established. This is yet to come. We must believe in Him to enter into this kingdom coming.

To believe in someone does not mean just to believe He once existed. That is not faith and is not the kind of belief that saves the lost soul. To believe on Jesus means to believe in His sacrifice and receive His sacrifice for yourself. We must realize we are sinners in need of salvation and then believe in Jesus to give us His salvation. We then are born again by the Spirit of God and will inherit eternal life. Then we shall not only have eternal life but be part of the kingdom that He establishes that will last forever.

• Psalm 87:6 The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah.
• 7 As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.

This is something to sing about and play instruments in worship and praise to God who removes sin and sets up this eternal kingdom of Christ. Springs of peace, joy and praise shall be in this kingdom with no evil, sorrow or pain. Springs may refer to springs and wells of living water as well. Everlasting, joyful, a place where no one will ever harm God's people ever again.

Jesus brought us out of eternal death unto eternal life. The blood of Jesus cleanses us from sin enabling us to enter into the kingdom of God. We don't have to wait until that day. The kingdom of God is within the person that has faith in Jesus Christ. We can have Him in our innermost being now. Now is the time to receive His great salvation.

• John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

We read about so much praise and worship in the Psalm using instruments and voices. God is pleased with such worship if it is in spirit and in truth.  DC

Psalm 88

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