Psalms 87:3

3 Glorious things are said of you, city of God:[a]

Psalms 87:3 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
3 Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.
English Standard Version (ESV)
3 Glorious things of you are spoken, O city of God. Selah
New Living Translation (NLT)
3 O city of God, what glorious things are said of you! Interlude
The Message Bible (MSG)
3 God's hometown - oh! everyone there is talking about you!
American Standard Version (ASV)
3 Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. [Selah
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
3 Glorious things are said about you, O city of God! Selah
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
3 Glorious things are said about you, city of God. Selah
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
3 City of God, the LORD says glorious things about you. "Selah"

Psalms 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).


FOOTNOTES:

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

Psalms 87:3 In-Context

1 He has founded his city on the holy mountain.
2 The LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the other dwellings of Jacob.
3 Glorious things are said of you, city of God:
4 “I will record Rahab and Babylon among those who acknowledge me— Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush — and will say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’ ”
5 Indeed, of Zion it will be said, “This one and that one were born in her, and the Most High himself will establish her.”

Cross References 1

  • 1. S Psalms 46:4; Isaiah 60:1

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. The Hebrew has "Selah" (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 6.
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.