Click here to read PSALM 87 in poetic form
Background
Psalm 87 is in the Leviticus book of the Psalms (73—89). The Old Testament book of Leviticus focuses on matters in the sanctuary: the priesthood, ceremonial laws, and feasts. Almost all of these 17 Psalms mention the sanctuary and God’s relation to it. Psalm 87 shows God’s blessings on those who dwell in Zion, the home of His sanctuary.
The title includes “for the sons of Korah.” This is used seven times in the Exodus book (Psalms 44-49). Since Psalms 42 and 43 are a unit, the first seven Psalms in the Exodus book begin in this way. Psalm 87 is the third of four times (Psalms 84,85,87,88) this heading occurs in the “Leviticus” book in the Psalms.
Regarding the sons of Korah, I Chronicles 9:19 says: “And Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren, of the house of his father, the Korahites, were over the work of the service, keepers of the gates of the tabernacle: and their fathers, being over the host of the Lord, were keepers of the entry.” They were responsible for service in the tabernacle and later the Temple.
This Psalm is divided into three sections by the Hebrew term “Selah,” which means to pause. Some Bible teachers say this connected the truths that come before and after the term.
Structure
(Verses 1-3) God’s foundation set in Zion, the city of God
Pause
(Verses 3-7) God’s Messiah born in Zion, His established place
Pause
(Verse 8) God’s joyful worship and fountains in Zion
Key Scriptures
Verse 2—“The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.” It was the believers (represented by “Zion” and the Messiah who would give his life there) whom God loved more than those simply of Israel’s bloodline (represented by “Jacob”). John the Baptist, “God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham” (Luke 3:8); and Jesus Christ, “Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham” (John 8:39) both taught this. Paul stated this clearly: “For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel” (Romans 9:6).
Verse 6—“The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there.” This could apply to many born in the Jerusalem area, but specifically to the Messiah, born in nearby Bethlehem. Jesus Christ is “this man” that was promised to redeem mankind.
Verse 7—“all my springs are in thee.” There were underground springs in Jerusalem. Isaiah 8:6 mentions the “waters of Shiloah” there: “Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly.” These were the waters beneath Zion, running from Gihon to Siloam. Hezekiah rerouted this stream to prepare for the Assyrian siege. II Chronicles 32:30: “This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper watercourse of Gihon, and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of David.” It represented God’s covenant with His people to provide help and the promised Messiah. Jesus worked a great miracle when he sent the man born blind to the pool of Siloam and he received sight (John 9).
FOR FURTHER STUDY
All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader. Also available for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Enjoy!
The entire blog series is now available in the publication The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.
