This Psalm is fittingly placed here, for it expands the thought of Psalms 86:9 in the style and the spirit of prophecy. It is terse, abrupt, enigmatic, like a prophetic oracle; in its breadth of view and fulness of Messianic hope it vies with the grandest of prophetic utterances. It depicts Zion as... [ Continue Reading ]
The Psalmist's heart is full of his theme. He states it abruptly in a verse of a single line (cp. Psalms 18:1):" Tis his foundation upon the holy mountains: which stands by itself as a kind of title to his poem or inscription on his picture. Zion is a city founded by God Himself (Isaiah 14:32). It... [ Continue Reading ]
The glory of Zion the city of God.... [ Continue Reading ]
_the gates of Zion_ A poetical expression for the city, specially appropriate with reference to the thought of the crowd of pilgrims (Psalms 122:2) entering it from all nations (Isaiah 60:11; Revelation 22:14). _more than all the dwellings of Jacob_ Better than any of the other cities of Israel, th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Glorious things are spoken of thee_ This need not be limited to the utterance of Psalms 87:4 ff., but may include the great prophetic promises generally, such as Isaiah 2:2 ff; Isaiah 11:10; Isaiah 19:20 ff.; and, if the Psalm is post-exilic, Psalms 60:1 ff. _O city of God_ Of His choice, His love,... [ Continue Reading ]
God Himself is the speaker (cp. Psalms 60:6 ff.). I will make mention of, solemnly and publicly acknowledge, Rahab and Babylon, as among them that know me, that own Me as their God and worship Me. Cp. Psalms 36:10; Psalms 9:10; Psalms 5:11; Isaiah 19:21. _Rahab_[48] is a nickname for Egypt (Isaiah 3... [ Continue Reading ]
The nations of the world shall be enrolled as Zion's children; and Zion shall be glorified by this accession of unnumbered fresh citizens.... [ Continue Reading ]
The Psalmist speaks, echoing the divine decree from Zion's point of view, dwelling upon the honour which will accrue to Zion by this accession of citizens. Yea, of Zion it shall be said, Each and every one was born in her; And the Most High himself shall establish her. Not merely certain specifi... [ Continue Reading ]
Jehovah shall reckon, when he registers the peoples, -This one was born there." Jehovah holds His census of the nations, and writes their names down in His book. One after another of them He registers as -born in Zion." It is the official confirmation of their rights of citizenship. Allusions to t... [ Continue Reading ]
Conclusion. The Psalm ends as abruptly as it began, with a verse which is enigmatic in its brevity. It is best explained as an outline picture of the universal rejoicing with which the citizens of Zion greet their mother. And singing as well as dancing (shall they chant,) -All my fountains are in... [ Continue Reading ]