Psalm 87-88

Psalm 87-8

The City of God Psalm 87-88

Ps 87 comes across as near prophecy. It is still poetry, so we need to see it that way, but not the only way.

Psalm 87:title–3 “ A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. A Song. 1 His foundation is in the holy mountains. 2 The Lord loves the gates of Zion (dry-land) More than all the dwellings of Jacob. 3 Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God! Selah”

why is Zion so important? because its so nice? No. Because God visited there. Now He is omnipresent so he is everywhere (not like the force) he is a person. but he manifested in Zion (Jerusalem). He showed up there touched our reality.

its where God showed up, and the apple of His eye (Israel) worshipped. Its still special to so many.

I wonder if there are places between Egypt and Israel in the wilderness where the tabernacle was that is still “different”.

Those born elsewhere

Psalm 87:4 “ “I will make mention (make a record) of Rahab (Egypt poss demon) and Babylon to those who know Me; Behold, O Philistia and Tyre, with Ethiopia: ‘This one was born there.’ ””

Rahab= egypt Isaiah 30:7 “ For the Egyptians shall help in vain and to no purpose. Therefore I have called her Rahab-Hem-Shebeth.”

These are nations not people. Nations that knew of the Love that the people of God had for Zion. Even before it was “beautiful”. Before the majestic temple, it was the land of promise.

America, shined like this. Around 1840/50 said of America

Alexis de Tocqueville, “Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.”

Even today, the nation, the city that God brought His people to, change hearts from being merely in the presence of them.

These nations also attacked and held Israel slaves until they would be freed. Also, they would be drawn and welcomed into Zion.

Born in Zion

Psalm 87:5 “ And of Zion it will be said, “This one and that one were born in her; And the Most High Himself shall establish her.””

Yahweh knows

Psalm 87:6 “ The Lord will record, When He registers the peoples: “This one was born there.” Selah” (born again as citizen of Zion)

Psalm 87:7 “ Both the singers and the players on instruments say, “All my springs (fountains) are in you.””

The Lord knows the name of every human being ever born. (including spiritual beings)

everyone loved the idea of being born in Jerusalem/Israel. As I said, God writes us in as citizens in the kingdom.

But also looks to the one born in Zion on the cross, raised also in that same place from the dead. Truly the greatest sprang from there.

Psalm 88

The misery of God’s wrath

Psalm 88:title–7 “ A Song. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. To the Chief Musician. Set to “Mahalath Leannoth.” a Contemplation of Heman the Ezrahite. 1 O Lord, God of my salvation, I have cried out day and night before You. 2 Let my prayer come before You; Incline Your ear to my cry.

3 For my soul is full of troubles, And my life draws near to the grave. 4 I am counted with those who go down to the pit; I am like a man who has no strength, 5 Adrift among the dead, Like the slain who lie in the grave, Whom You remember no more, And who are cut off from Your hand. 6 You have laid me in the lowest pit, In darkness, in the depths. 7 Your wrath lies heavy upon me, And You have afflicted me with all Your waves. Selah”

This condition affects the believer.

Its like we drown in his truth when we fall under the wrath. When I am really down I can feel like I’m dying. here we don’t know why suffering but the writer places self in wrath.

When you live in sin/rebellion and don't feel this, thats the worry. Repent. Return to Him. Yes, that easy.

Of loneliness & misery

Psalm 88:8–10 “ You have put away my acquaintances far from me; You have made me an abomination to them; I am shut up, and I cannot get out; 9 My eye wastes away because of affliction. Lord, I have called daily upon You; I have stretched out my hands to You. 10 Will You work wonders for the dead? Shall the dead arise and praise You? Selah”

God can and will work wonders, even on the dead. But being under His wrath, seems like death. And we cant fellowship with the sinners really and the saints, well every moment is conviction.

The more we go through a thing, the dimmer sometimes things can seem. You ever get to where all you could seem to see was your sin? where you just wondered when you were gonna die.

Heman laments because he fears he may die and not be able to correct this act.

I am reminded of the parable of Lazarus in Luke 16:19–31. There the dead man asked to go warn his family. Abraham said they have enough.

Yahweh hears me?

Psalm 88:11–18 “ Shall Your lovingkindness be declared in the grave? Or Your faithfulness in the place of destruction? 12 Shall Your wonders be known in the dark? And Your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

13 But to You I have cried out, O Lord, And in the morning my prayer comes before You. 14 Lord, why do You cast off my soul? Why do You hide Your face from me? 15 I have been afflicted and ready to die from my youth; I suffer Your terrors; I am distraught. 16 Your fierce wrath has gone over me; Your terrors have cut me off. 17 They came around me all day long like water; They engulfed me altogether. 18 Loved one and friend You have put far from me, And my acquaintances into darkness.”

And the beginning of the restoration of this relationship begins with what? Repentance. But that involves rejecting what got me here. What I replace God with, my sin.

As Christians we can live as dead in sin when we live as those that are lost.

What can folks repent from if they don’t know whats what? When you are living in sin and rebellion, you can feel all alone in the middle of a crowd.

You might think that God is being vicious toward you and trying to hurt. But its just conviction. Come back. Repent.

Lord I am sorry. I have broken your commandments. Fill me with your Spirit again. Let me know the Joy and rejoicing I once knew. I believe Jesus died for my sins, I know He rose from the dead.