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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 87:4-7

Zion is here compared with other places, and preferred before them; the church of Christ is more glorious and excellent than the nations of the earth. 1. It is owned that other places have their glories (Ps. 87:4): ?I will make mention of Rahab? (that is, Egypt) ?and Babylon, to those that know me and are about me, and with whom I discourse about public affairs; behold Philistia and Tyre, with Ethiopia? (or rather Arabia), ?we will observe that this man was born there; here and there one... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 87:6

The Lord shall count when he writeth up the people , Not in the Lamb's book of life; for that was written from eternity, Revelation 13:8 but in the writing of the house of Israel, among the living in Jerusalem, and with his righteous ones; which is done at effectual calling, and when admitted members of Gospel churches, whereby they openly appear to be the children of God, and are taken into the list and catalogue of saints; see Ezekiel 13:9 or in the last day, when the Lord will take... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 87:6

The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people - עמים בכתוב bichthob ammim , in the register of the people. When he takes account of those who dwell in Jerusalem, he will particularly note those who were born in Zion. This has an easy spiritual meaning. When God takes an account of all professing Christians, he will set apart those for inhabitants of the New Jerusalem who were born in Zion, who were born again, received a new nature, and were fitted for heaven. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 87:6

Verse 6 6The Lord will recount, when he writeth the peoples. The meaning is, that Zion will acquire such renown as to excite all men with the greatest earnestness to desire to be admitted into the number and rank of her citizens. It is a highly honorable condition which is spoken of, the language implying, that when God shall take a census of the people on whom he will be graciously pleased to confer the highest honor, he will write them as belonging to Zion, rather than to Babylon or any other... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 87:1-7

The habitation of God. This psalm is true, whether we apply it— I. TO ISRAEL OF OLD , God's ancient people. That the writer had them in his mind, there can be no doubt, whatever other applications we may make of his words. Like the other psalms "for the sons of Korah," it most probably belongs to the days of Hezekiah. The sons of Korah were the keepers of those "gates" which in this psalm, as in Psalms 84:1-12 ; they celebrate; and the triumph of which they tell harmonizes... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 87:1-7

The glory of the Church. I. IN ITS FOUNDATION . "In the holy mountains." 1 . It is founded in the nature of God. In the Divine love. "The Lord loveth the gates of Zion," etc. 2 . It is founded also in the nature of man . In his spiritual nature, affinities, and needs. The Church, therefore, has sacred foundations: "and the gates of hell shall not prevail against her." II. IT IS CALLED THE CITY OF GOD . 1 . It Consists of the highest social... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 87:4-6

The Almighty is introduced as making a revelation to the psalmist. He will cause the Gentiles to flock into his Church, even those who have been hitherto the most bitter enemies of Israel ( Psalms 87:4 ), and will place these strangers on a par with such as have belonged to his Church from their birth ( Psalms 87:4 , Psalms 87:5 , Psalms 87:6 ), admitting them to every blessing and every privilege. The Church, thus augmented, shall be taken under his own protection, and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 87:6

The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people; rather, the peoples, (see Psalms 87:4 ). That this man was born there. He shall enregister every individual among the converted nations as a true citizen of Zion, entitled to all covenant privileges. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 87:6

The Lord shall count. There shall be a Divine census, a numbering of the people by God, such as never yet has taken place. Nothing in Hezekiah's reign, the probable date of this psalm, ever fulfilled the glorious promises here given. But it shall be when Christ shall come again. Consider— I. THE FACT OF SUCH " WRITING UP " OF THE PEOPLE . 1 . It shall be national. ( Psalms 87:4 .) 2 . But individual also. The counting will be of this one, and that, and... read more

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