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Psalms 87

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[1]The seat and glory of the church: [4]the honourable distinction of its members.

A Psalm or Song for the sons of Korah.

1. His foundation is in the holy mountains.

2. The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.

3. Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.

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.

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.

Metrical version

Psalm 87

C.M. York

Upon the hills of holiness
he his foundation sets.
GOD, more than Jacob's dwellings all,
delights in Zion's gates.

Things glorious are said of thee,
thou city of the Lord.
Rahab and Babel I, to those
that know me, will record:

Behold ev'n Tyrus, and with it
the land of Palestine,
And likewise Ethiopia;
this man was born therein.

And it of Zion shall be said,
This man and that man there
Was born; and he that is most High
himself shall stablish her.

When GOD the people writes, he'll count
that this man born was there.
There be that sing and play; and all
my well-springs in thee are.
This psalm is an encomium upon mount Zion, as typical of the gospel church. (1.) For the sake of the temple, mount Zion is preferred to every other place in Canaan; as more honoured by God and more delighted in by him, ver. 1-3. (2.) In respect of better inhabitants, greater stability, and more important joys and blessings, the church is preferred to all other nations, ver. 4-7.


While I sing, let me observe the dignity of relation to Jehovah as my God. Let me praise him for founding his church on Jesus the unmoveable Rock of ages, that the gates of hell cannot prevail against her. Let me rejoice in the glorious promises made concerning her, and supplicate the speedy, the remarkable fulfilment thereof. And while I with joy draw water out of her ordinances, her wells of salvation, let me live as an holy, a cheerful member of her society.