Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Ps 87:1-7.

This triumphal song was probably occasioned by the same event as the forty-sixth [see on

Ps 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

(Isa 14:32).

is in the holy mountains--the location of Zion, in the wide sense, for the capital, or Jerusalem, being on several hills.

2. gates--for the enclosures, or city to which they opened

(Ps 9:14; 122:2;

compare

Ps 132:13, 14).

3. spoken of thee--or, "in thee," that is, the city of God

(Ps 46:4; 48:2).

4. This is what is spoken by God.

to them . . . me--literally, "for My knowers," they are true worshippers

(Ps 36:10; Isa 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.

5. The writer resumes--

This and that man--literally, "man and man," or many

(Ge 14:10; Ex 8:10, 14),

or all

(Isa 44:5; Ga 3:28).

the highest . . . her--God is her protector.

6. The same idea is set forth under the figure of a register made by God (compare

Isa 4:3).

7. As in a great procession of those thus written up, or registered, seeking Zion

(Isa 2:3; Jer 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"

(Ps 46:4; 84:6).