Opening Prayer
Thank you, Lord God, for the privilege that is mine to worship you in spirit and truth.
Read PSALM 87
Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. A song.
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:[a]
4 “I will record Rahab[b] and Babylon
among those who acknowledge me—
Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush[c]—
and will say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’”[d]
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.”
6 The Lord will write in the register of the peoples:
“This one was born in Zion.”
7 As they make music they will sing,
“All my fountains are in you.”
Footnotes
- Psalm 87:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 6.
- Psalm 87:4 A poetic name for Egypt
- Psalm 87:4 That is, the upper Nile region
- Psalm 87:4 Or “I will record concerning those who acknowledge me: / ‘This one was born in Zion.’ / Hear this, Rahab and Babylon, / and you too, Philistia, Tyre and Cush.”
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Meditate
‘We’re citizens of high heaven! We’re waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ.’1 Praise God for the privilege and hope of your heavenly citizenship.
Think Further
A city on a hill attracts attention because of its elevated location. God’s city was founded on Mount Zion. The reason ‘Glorious things’ were said of this city was that God himself dwelt there among his people (vv. 1–3). Israel was inclined to interpret this special relationship narrowly, selfishly, and arrogantly – enjoying the benefits and blessings of being chosen while ignoring God’s mandate to bless ‘all peoples on earth.’2 Jonah, for example, wanted the Assyrians excluded – even exterminated! – and resented God’s ‘concern for the great city of Nineveh.’3
The psalm continues with an unexpected prophecy: Rahab (Egypt), Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Cush will also enjoy citizenship in God’s city! These nations were enemies and oppressors of God’s people; yet, here is God promising that he will treat them as if they were ‘born in Zion’ and include their names in the registry of his people (v. 4). Membership in God’s family or citizenship in God’s kingdom is not conferred on any of us as a birthright but can only be received as a gift, by faith: ‘to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God … born of God.’4 Jesus’ love embraces all people, not just those who accept him but even those who oppose him. Our good shepherd relentlessly pursues ‘other sheep that are not of this sheepfold’ so that he may ‘bring them also’ into the fold.5 This is how we, who are privileged to be counted among his sheep, must view those on the outside – not as enemies who are excluded but as those who must be warmly, urgently, persuasively, and lovingly invited so that they, too, might be included among the inhabitants of God’s city.
Apply
‘You’re here to be light … God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill.’6
Closing prayer
Gracious God, thank you for the opportunity to worship together with others. Fill our hearts with a spirit of praise that will overflow as a testimony to you in our communities.
Last Updated on April 7, 2024 by kingstar
