Jehovah Loves the Gates of Zion

We return to our once a month studies from the Psalms to examine this rather unusual Psalm. It does not read like most Psalms we have studied, with no introduction and no instruction for men. The mention of Rahab (Egypt) and Babylon (but not Assyria) suggests a time period following the battle of Carchemish (605 BC), but before the destruction of Jerusalem (586 BC).

I) God’s love for Zion

The Psalm begins with the abrupt declaration of “His establishment” is the holy mountains, as mountains have always been spiritually significant – Mt Sinai; Ebal & Gerizim; Carmel

But Zion is loved by God above all the others (Shiloh and Kiriath-Jerizim were the other two dwelling places of the tabernacle); gates represent the city as a whole –

Matthew 16:18 ESV

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

God speaks glorious things of Zion (ie. the prophets glorify the city)

II) Birthplace of the nations

Rahab represents Egypt – – as a place of arrogance, and Babylon as the other world power of the time, knew of the glory of Zion

Isaiah 51:9–10 ESV

Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord; awake, as in days of old, the generations of long ago. Was it not you who cut Rahab in pieces, who pierced the dragon? Was it not you who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made the depths of the sea a way for the redeemed to pass over?

This knowing is not simply being aware of a city, or having passed through it, but knowing as a place of salvation – ; ;

Psalm 36:11 ESV

Let not the foot of arrogance come upon me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.

Galatians 4:8–9 ESV

Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?

Isaiah 2:2–3 ESV

It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, and many peoples shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

Other nations which often transacted with Israel are mentioned as being “born in Zion”, which refers to the new birth –

John 3:3–5 ESV

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

God establishes Zion as He registers people in His book (of life) – ;

Acts 2:41 ESV

So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

Revelation 20:12 ESV

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.

III) Fountains of life

As a result of being born in Zion, all those who rejoice, either by singing or playing an instrument of joy, will praise Zion

There praise will focus on the springs of salvation – – that are found within the gates of Zion

Isaiah 12:3 ESV

With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

Concl: This Psalm glorifies Zion, God’s holy mountain, as the place in which life truly begins. We must look to Zion as our birthplace also, and offer our glory to this great city of God.