Psalm 87: The Eternal City

Key Verse
3 Glorious things of you are spoken, O city of God. 
 
Meditation
The spring of God’s eternal love flow through God’s eternal city and is for all God’s family.  Soul satisfaction comes for Christians when we celebrate our sonship by joining Abraham in focusing faith on the coming eternal city, the New Jerusalem whose architect and builder is God (Hebrews 11:10).
 
The Apostle Paul used imagery of today’s reading to illustrate the freedom we have as God’s children (Galatians 4:26). John Newton’s famous hymn based on today’s psalm celebrates “streams of living water, springing from eternal love, supplying God’s sons and daughters…” from the Jerusalem that is above. Today, God wants to satisfy your soul with his love.
 
The glorious city of God (vv. 1-3) is the birthplace of all nations, even His enemies (vv. 4-6), and headwaters of the springs of all life (v. 7). The names of those born into God’s love should catch us off guard- Rahab is Egypt, former oppressors of Israel. Babylon destroyed the country and carried Israel into exile, Tyre is an old business partner, and Cush is Ethiopia, representing countries from the ends of the earth. The glorious promises of God are for all born of faith, enemies who are converted, and peoples from the ends of the earth!

The spring of Living Water flowing from God’s glorious city is Jesus Christ (John 4:14) who promises Living Water for all who trust in Him (John 7:38). Jesus’ death and resurrection in Jerusalem is the foretaste of fulfillment of our psalm, as well as the birth of the Church in Jerusalem (Acts 1:6; 2:1-11). People born again as God’s children must celebrate our sonship as we focus our faith on the coming City of God.

 
Today’s Reading
On the holy mount stands the city he founded;
2     the Lord loves the gates of Zion
    more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.
3 Glorious things of you are spoken,
    O city of God. Selah
 
4 Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon;
    behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush--
    “This one was born there,” they say.
5 And of Zion it shall be said,
    “This one and that one were born in her”;
    for the Most High himself will establish her.
6 The Lord records as he registers the peoples,
    “This one was born there.” Selah
 
7 Singers and dancers alike say,
    “All my springs are in you.”
 
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the conversion of God’s enemies into His children?
 
-Where do you set your ultimate hope for the pain and problems of the world?
 
-Take a moment to celebrate the stream of living water you have through relationship with Jesus. Drink from His love for you. Refocus faith in His promises to you. Ask Him to anchor your hope I the glorious city that is to come.
 
Key Verse
3 Glorious things of you are spoken, O city of God.