Psalm 87. This Psalm of the sons of Korah is a Millennial psalm in that it describes the blessed state of restored Israel under the reign of Christ. The Psalm focuses on the blessedness of Jerusalem. If we continue correlating the Psalms in this series with the Feasts of Jehovah in Lev. 23, we find that Psalm 87 is the fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles, just as Psalm 84 was of the Feast of Trumpets, and as Psalm 85 was of the Day of Atonement.

 

 

vv.1-2 The Blessedness of Zion. We find that the restored and rebuilt city of Jerusalem has foundations, and they are “the mountain of holiness”; i.e. Zion will be established on a righteous basis. We find also that Zion is beloved of Jehovah; i.e. it is a special place to Him, over every other place in Israel. It is “the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there” (1 Kings 8:29).

 

 

vv.3-7 The Blessedness of Belonging to Zion. The fame of Zion as “the city of God” will reach far and wide. It will eclipse all the great cities of the past; “I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon among them that know me; behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia”. The name “Rahab” here (as in Psa. 89) is a poetic name given to Egypt, and it means “insolent”, or “arrogant” (see Isa. 30:7). These mighty empires (Egypt, Babylon, Tyre, etc.) pale in comparison to the city of God. Why? Because “the Most High himself shall establish her”. The name El-Elyon is a millennial name of God. Jerusalem is the coveted birthplace; “of Zion it shall be said, This one and that one was born in her”. Perhaps this also a reference to being “born again”? The “peoples” in v.6 are the nations, which will come up to Jerusalem to worship and learn God’s ways. The words “this man” (v.4) may refer to Christ Himself; i.e. the way a hero makes a city famous, so Jerusalem’s glory will be through Christ. There will be joy also in Zion (singers and dancers), and their springs (or source of joy) are in Jehovah Himself. What a place Jerusalem will be in the Millennium!