Psalms 87 — with JFB Commentary
The King James text with the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary (1871, public domain) directly beneath the verses it explains. Verses without a JFB note stand alone.
1His foundation is in the holy mountains.
PSALM 87
Psa 87:1-7. This triumphal song was probably occasioned by the same event as the forty-sixth [see on Psa 46:1, title]. The writer celebrates the glory of the Church, as the means of spiritual blessing to the nation.
1. His--that is, God's
foundation--or, what He has founded, that is, Zion (Is 14:32).
is in the holy mountains--the location of Zion, in the wide sense, for the capital, or Jerusalem, being on several hills.
2The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
2. gates--for the enclosures, or city to which they opened (Psa 9:14; 122:2; compare Psa 132:13, 14).
3Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.
3. spoken of thee--or, "in thee," that is, the city of God (Psa 46:4; 48:2).
4I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.
4. This is what is spoken by God.
to them ... me--literally, "for My knowers," they are true worshippers (Psa 36:10; Is 19:21). These are mentioned as specimens.
this--that is, nation
was born there--Of each it is said, "This was born," or is a native of Zion, spiritually.
5And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her.
5. The writer resumes--
This and that man--literally, "man and man," or many (Ge 14:10; Ex 8:10, 14), or all (Is 44:5; Ga 3:28).
the highest ... her--God is her protector.
6The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah.
6. The same idea is set forth under the figure of a register made by God (compare Is 4:3).
7As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.
7. As in a great procession of those thus written up, or registered, seeking Zion (Is 2:3; Jr 50:5), "the singers" and "players," or pipers, shall precede.
all my springs--So each shall say, "All my sources of spiritual joy are in Thee" (Psa 46:4; 84:6).