Zion; City of God
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Psalm 87 (AV)
A Psalm or Song for the sons of Korah.
His foundation is in the holy mountains.
The Lord loveth the gates of Zion
More than all the dwellings of Jacob.
Glorious things are spoken of thee,
O city of God. Selah.
I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me:
Behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia;
This man was born there.
And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her:
And the highest himself shall establish her.
The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people,
That this man was born there. Selah.
As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there:
All my springs are in thee.
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.
Introduction
This chapter has two of my kids names in it; Selah and Zion.
“one of the most problematic in the whole Psalter” every Thursday
Psalm 87 is an interesting little psalm that picks up on the imagery of Psalm 86:9 and the inclusion of the nations into the worshiping community of God’s people.
A Psalm or Song for the sons of Korah.
His foundation is in the holy mountains.
The Lord loveth the gates of Zion
More than all the dwellings of Jacob.
Glorious things are spoken of thee,
O city of God. Selah.
I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me:
Behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia;
This man was born there.
And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her:
And the highest himself shall establish her.
The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people,
That this man was born there. Selah.
As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there:
All my springs are in thee.
All nations whom thou hast made shall come
And worship before thee, O Lord;
And shall glorify thy name.
Psalm 86:9 (AV)
All nations whom thou hast made shall come
And worship before thee, O Lord;
And shall glorify thy name.
9 All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.
The nations normally thought of as being Israel’s enemies are described as having been born in Zion, thus including them in the community of faith.
The psalm is therefore proclaiming that the city of God is glorious and joyful because it is the center of worship for the redeemed of all nations. City of God
What is Zion?
What is Zion?
The word Zion occurs over 150 times in the Bible.
It essentially means “fortification” and has the idea of being “raised up” as a “monument.”
Zion is described both as the city of David and the city of God. As the Bible progresses, the word Zion expands in scope and takes on an additional, spiritual meaning.
2 Samuel 5:6–7 (AV)
And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither. Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.
6 And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither. 7 Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.
David promised his men that whoever could discover a means of access to the city would be promoted to commander-in-chief.
1 Chronicles 11:6 (AV)
And David said, Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain. So Joab the son of Zeruiah went first up, and was chief.
6 And David said, Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain. So Joab the son of Zeruiah went first up, and was chief.
The account in 1 Chronicles relates that Joab was able to do so, apparently by passing through the water tunnel which connected Jerusalem’s water supply to its interior reservoirs.
2 Samuel 5:8 (AV)
And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated of David’s soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.
8 And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated of David’s soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.
When Solomon built the temple in Jerusalem, the meaning of Zion expanded further to include the temple area.
Psalm 2:6 (AV)
Yet have I set my king
Upon my holy hill of Zion.
6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
Psalm 48:2 (AV)
Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion,
On the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
Psalm 48:11–12 (AV)
Let mount Zion rejoice,
Let the daughters of Judah be glad,
Because of thy judgments.
Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.
11 Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments. 12 Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.
This is the meaning found in the prophecy of Jeremiah 31
At the same time, saith the Lord,
Will I be the God of all the families of Israel,
And they shall be my people.
Thus saith the Lord,
The people which were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness;
Even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest.
The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying,
Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love:
Therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel:
Thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets,
And shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry.
Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria:
The planters shall plant, and shall eat them as common things.
For there shall be a day,
That the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry,
Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the Lord our God.
For thus saith the Lord;
Sing with gladness for Jacob,
And shout among the chief of the nations:
Publish ye, praise ye, and say,
O Lord, save thy people, the remnant of Israel.
Behold, I will bring them from the north country,
And gather them from the coasts of the earth,
And with them the blind and the lame,
The woman with child and her that travaileth with child together:
A great company shall return thither.
They shall come with weeping,
And with supplications will I lead them:
I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters
In a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble:
For I am a father to Israel,
And Ephraim is my firstborn.
Hear the word of the Lord, O ye nations,
And declare it in the isles afar off, and say,
He that scattered Israel will gather him,
And keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.
For the Lord hath redeemed Jacob,
And ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he.
Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion,
And shall flow together to the goodness of the Lord,
For wheat, and for wine, and for oil,
And for the young of the flock and of the herd:
And their soul shall be as a watered garden;
And they shall not sorrow any more at all.
Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance,
Both young men and old together:
For I will turn their mourning into joy,
And will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.
And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness,
And my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the Lord.
Thus saith the Lord;
A voice was heard in Ramah,
Lamentation, and bitter weeping;
Rahel weeping for her children
Refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.
Thus saith the Lord;
Refrain thy voice from weeping,
And thine eyes from tears:
For thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord;
And they shall come again from the land of the enemy.
And there is hope in thine end, saith the Lord,
That thy children shall come again to their own border.
I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus;
Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised,
As a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke:
Turn thou me, and I shall be turned;
For thou art the Lord my God.
Surely after that I was turned, I repented;
And after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh:
I was ashamed, yea, even confounded,
Because I did bear the reproach of my youth.
Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child?
For since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still:
Therefore my bowels are troubled for him;
I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the Lord.
Set thee up waymarks, make thee high heaps:
Set thine heart toward the highway,
Even the way which thou wentest:
Turn again, O virgin of Israel,
Turn again to these thy cities.
How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter?
For the Lord hath created a new thing in the earth,
A woman shall compass a man.
Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel;
As yet they shall use this speech in the land of Judah and in the cities thereof,
When I shall bring again their captivity;
The Lord bless thee, O habitation of justice, and mountain of holiness.
And there shall dwell in Judah itself,
And in all the cities thereof together,
Husbandmen, and they that go forth with flocks.
For I have satiated the weary soul,
And I have replenished every sorrowful soul.
Upon this I awaked, and beheld;
And my sleep was sweet unto me.
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord,
That I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah
With the seed of man, and with the seed of beast.
And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them,
To pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down,
And to destroy, and to afflict;
So will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the Lord.
In those days they shall say no more,
The fathers have eaten a sour grape,
And the children’s teeth are set on edge.
But every one shall die for his own iniquity:
Every man that eateth the sour grape,
His teeth shall be set on edge.
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord,
That I will make a new covenant
With the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers
In the day that I took them by the hand
To bring them out of the land of Egypt;
Which my covenant they brake,
Although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord:
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel;
After those days, saith the Lord,
I will put my law in their inward parts,
And write it in their hearts;
And will be their God,
And they shall be my people.
And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying,
Know the Lord:
For they shall all know me,
From the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord:
For I will forgive their iniquity,
And I will remember their sin no more.
Thus saith the Lord, which giveth the sun for a light by day,
And the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night,
Which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar;
The Lord of hosts is his name:
If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the Lord,
Then the seed of Israel also shall cease
From being a nation before me for ever.
Thus saith the Lord;
If heaven above can be measured,
And the foundations of the earth searched out beneath,
I will also cast off all the seed of Israel
For all that they have done, saith the Lord.
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord,
That the city shall be built to the Lord
From the tower of Hananeel unto the gate of the corner.
And the measuring line shall yet go forth over against it
Upon the hill Gareb, and shall compass about to Goath.
And the whole valley of the dead bodies, and of the ashes,
And all the fields unto the brook of Kidron,
Unto the corner of the horse gate toward the east,
Shall be holy unto the Lord;
It shall not be plucked up, nor thrown down any more for ever.
Jeremiah 31:6
For there shall be a day,
That the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry,
Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the Lord our God.
6 For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the LORD our God.
In the Old Testament Zion is used as a name for the city of Jerusalem (Isaiah 40:9), the land of Judah (Jeremiah 31:12), and the nation of Israel as a whole (Zechariah 9:13).
O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain;
O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength;
Lift it up, be not afraid;
Say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!
Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion,
And shall flow together to the goodness of the Lord,
For wheat, and for wine, and for oil,
And for the young of the flock and of the herd:
And their soul shall be as a watered garden;
And they shall not sorrow any more at all.
When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim,
And raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece,
And made thee as the sword of a mighty man.
The word Zion is also used in a theological or spiritual sense in Scripture.
Hymn: Marching to Zion, beautiful, beautiful Zion, Glorious Things of these are spoken
In the Old Testament Zion refers figuratively to Israel as the people of God (Isaiah 60:14).
The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee;
And all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet;
And they shall call thee, The city of the Lord,
The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
In the New Testament, Zion refers to God’s spiritual kingdom.
Hebrews 12:22 (AV)
But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
Peter, quoting Isaiah 28:16, refers to Christ as the Cornerstone of Zion:
Therefore thus saith the Lord God,
Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone,
A tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation:
He that believeth shall not make haste.
1 Peter 2:6
Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
Mount Zion as a geographical area is currently the center of much dispute. The Bible is clear that, one day, Zion will be the sole possession of the Lord Jesus, and Zion—the nation and the city—will be restored.
Zion is the place on earth where God has chosen to makes his presence
Psalm 9:11 (AV)
Sing praises to the Lord, which dwelleth in Zion:
Declare among the people his doings.
11 Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.
His foundation
His foundation
1 His foundation is in the holy mountains.
God’s foundation is in Jerusalem, the center of His redemptive work. Since God’s work happens in time and space, it had to happen somewhere, and God chose Jerusalem as the place where much of it happened.
· There Melchezidek, king and priest of God Most High, reigned and served.
· There Abraham was willing to offer Isaac on the mount of the Lord where His perfect sacrifice would be provided.
· There David, Israel’s greatest earthly king, reigned and made it the kingdom’s capital.
· There the tabernacle of God found its fulfillment and permanence in the great temple David designed and Solomon built.
· There the institutions of sacrifice, worship, and priestly service were established for centuries.
· There Jesus recognized and honored the city and observed the feasts and temple rituals.
· There Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose from the dead.
· There the church was born in a day at Pentecost.
· There the apostles served and sent out the Gospel.
· There God will establish the physical, geographic center of His ultimate kingdom upon earth
Isaiah 11:10 (AV)
And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse,
Which shall stand for an ensign of the people;
To it shall the Gentiles seek:
And his rest shall be glorious.
10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.
Ever been at at place in life where you could not go anywhere to find rest? There is coming a day where this will be a place of rest upon this earth.
Ever been at at place in life where you could not go anywhere to find rest? There is coming a day where this will be a place of rest upon this earth.
God loves the gates
God loves the gates
Psalm 87:2 (AV)
The Lord loveth the gates of Zion
More than all the dwellings of Jacob.
2 The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
This was the place of God’s choosing and affection—which is what made the place special.
Let it be said us as well. We love what our Lord loves. Let’s talk more about Zion! Let’s think more about it than our next vacation. Let’s lay up stuff in store for that place not just this current world that will one day burn up.
Let it be said us as well. We love what our Lord loves. Let’s talk more about Zion! Let’s think more about it than our next vacation. Let’s lay up stuff in store for that place not just this current world that will one day burn up.
Glorious things are spoken of thee
Glorious things are spoken of thee
Psalm 87:3 (AV)
Glorious things are spoken of thee,
O city of God. Selah.
3 Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.
The psalmist praised Jerusalem by noting what others said about the city. Many spoke glorious things about the city.
· Glorious faith was exercised in Jerusalem.
· Glorious things happened in Jerusalem.
· Glorious things were taught in Jerusalem.
· Glorious worship was offered in Jerusalem.
· Glorious atonement was made in Jerusalem.
· Glorious anointing was poured out in Jerusalem.
· God’s glorious presence was evident in Jerusalem.
· A glorious future awaits Jerusalem.
The Bible teaches that there is coming a day when the Lord will rule over the nations from his seat in Zion.
The Bible teaches that there is coming a day when the Lord will rule over the nations from his seat in Zion.
Psalm 2:6 (AV)
Yet have I set my king
Upon my holy hill of Zion.
6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
A City of Nations
A City of Nations
You will not believe who will be there
You will not believe who will be there
Psalm 87:4 (AV)
I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me:
Behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia;
This man was born there.
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.
God now numbers the two great superpowers that held his people in exile (Egypt prior to the exodus and Babylon following the fall of Jerusalem) as part of his city.
Romans 5:8 (AV)
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Once your enemy now seated at your table.
Citizenship
Citizenship
If a city is regarded as great or important, people enjoy identifying with that city.
You always know when someone is from Michigan. Hand.
When we appreciate the high regard God has for Zion, the city of Jerusalem, we see the value in being regarded as her citizen, the city established by the Most High Himself.
Carsen adoption we could choose what city he was born.
In Jesus Christ, every believer can have the privilege of registration in Zion, of being a citizen of the heavenly City of God.
This does not eliminate the special regard God has for the literal land of Israel and Jerusalem and the Jewish people.
Ephesians 2:12 (AV)
That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Citizenship by birth
Citizenship by birth
Psalm 87:6 (AV)
The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people,
That this man was born there. Selah.
6 The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah.
“Foreign nations are here described not as captives or tributaries, not even as doing voluntary homage to the greatness and glory of Zion, but as actually incorporated and enrolled, by a new birth, among her sons.” - Spurgeon
Members together
Members together
Also we are not saved by a crowd or a congregation, but we most assuredly are saved to a crowd and a congregation.
Ephesians 1:5 (AV)
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are not only adopted into the family of God; they are born into the family.
Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are not only adopted into the family of God; they are born into the family.
We are placed into the position of Sons.
We are placed into the position of Sons.
The City of Joy
The City of Joy
Psalm 87:7 (AV)
As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there:
All my springs are in thee.
7 As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.
There will be music.
There will be music.
Singers and instruments from all nations.
Tinsley on the Bassoon, Indian man on a sitar, cousin on a jug, maybe Ill grab wooden peruvian flute
What is substance of their songs? All my springs are in thee
Springs
Springs
The springs refer to the spontaneously flowing sources of water and to the life.
James 1:17 (AV)
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
This is a place too long for because we long for His presence.
This is a place too long for because we long for His presence.
Psalm 20:2 (AV)
Send thee help from the sanctuary,
And strengthen thee out of Zion;
2 Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;
How we are to respond—with joy—loving what God loves.
Let’s sing together as we long for Zion.
Let’s sing together as we long for Zion.
Isaiah describes it this way in his brief hymn in chapter 12:
What a great way to see ourselves.
What a great way to see ourselves.
Isaiah 12:3–6 (AV)
Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
And in that day shall ye say,
Praise the Lord, call upon his name,
Declare his doings among the people,
Make mention that his name is exalted.
Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things:
This is known in all the earth.
Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion:
For great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.
3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
4 And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. 5 Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth. 6 Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.
Closing Prayer
Closing Prayer
Hebrews 13:14 (AV)
For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
