Psalm 87:3

3 ¹Glorious things of you are spoken, O ²city of God. Selah

Psalm 87:3 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 87:3

Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God.]
Which is to be understood not of the city of Jerusalem literally, which was a magnificent city, compact together, full of inhabitants, and spacious houses, the metropolis of Judea, and seat of the kings of Judah; and what was most glorious of all that could be said of it, it was the city of God; and so Jarchi interprets it, the glory spoken of it is, that it is the city of God; here the temple was built, and many glorious things were in it; here God granted his presence, and his worship was kept up: and besides, there were other and more glorious things spoken of it, by way of prophecy; as, that the Messiah should come in person into it, as the owner of it, and give it a greater glory than the first temple had; here he was to preach his doctrines, and do his miracles, which he accordingly did; near this city he suffered, died, and was buried; rose again, ascended to heaven; and here he poured forth the gifts of the Holy Spirit in an extraordinary manner: but rather this is to be interpreted of the church of God, comparable to a city, and which is of God's building, and where he dwells; (See Gill on Psalms 48:1) of which glorious things are spoken for the present; as, that it is the city of the King of kings, the name of which is "Jehovah Shammah", the Lord is there; its foundation is Christ; its walls and bulwarks are salvation; its gates are praise; glorious ordinances are administered in it, and glorious truths are preached here; and so the words may be rendered, "glorious things are spoken in thee" ^F24: and of it also glorious things are spoken, by way of prophecy, as, what shall be in the latter day; a great effusion of the Spirit upon it; the gracious presence of Christ in it in a more visible manner; a great increase of converts both among Jews and Gentiles, which shall flock into it; and the great spread of the Gospel, which shall be the means of it; the unity, harmony, and concord of professors of religion; the holiness of their lives and conversation; and the very great peace and prosperity which will everywhere abound; and especially glorious things are spoken of the New Jerusalem, the city of our God; of which see ( Revelation 21:1 ) .

Selah. (See Gill on Psalms 3:2).

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FOOTNOTES:

F24 (Kb) "in te", Montanus, Tigurine version, Cocceius, Schmidt, Syr. vers.

Psalm 87:3 In-Context

1 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.

Cross References

• 1. 87:3 [Isa. 60:1]; See Isa. 54:1-3
• 2. 87:3 Ps. 46:4