1 On the holy mountain
stands the city founded by the Lord.
2 He loves the city of Jerusalem
more than any other city in Israel.[a]
3 O city of God,
what glorious things are said of you! Interlude
4 I will count Egypt[b] and Babylon among those who know me—
also Philistia and Tyre, and even distant Ethiopia.[c]
They have all become citizens of Jerusalem!
5 Regarding Jerusalem[d] it will be said,
“Everyone enjoys the rights of citizenship there.”
And the Most High will personally bless this city.
6 When the Lord registers the nations, he will say,
“They have all become citizens of Jerusalem.” Interlude
7 The people will play flutes[e] and sing,
“The source of my life springs from Jerusalem!” NLT
From what you read in this psalm, describe God's love for Jerusalem:
Look at verses 1-3: Think about all you know about the events of the Bible. Why is Jerusalem such an important city to God?
Look at verses 4-6: Describe the cultural richness of God's vision for Jerusalem:
What would it take for God to consider people from all over the world as "citizens" of Jerusalem? When in history (past, present, future) does this declaration take place?
::::: APPLICATION CHALLENGE :::::
Have you ever stopped to cherish Jerusalem the way the people in verse 7 do? What could you do today to begin appreciating and celebrating the dynamic role this city plays in God's plan for humanity?
::::: DIGGING DEEPER :::::
How do the following Scriptural notes from the NLT on this passage enhance your understanding of this psalm? Consider doing some further study on one or more of these notes:
- 87:2 Hebrew He loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. See note on 44:4.
- 87:4a Hebrew Rahab, the name of a mythical sea monster that represents chaos in ancient literature. The name is used here as a poetic name for Egypt.
- 87:4b Hebrew Cush.
- 87:5 Hebrew Zion.
- 87:7 Or will dance.