Psalms 87:1-7 - Homilies By C. Short

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 relationships. Love, the bond that unites the citizens.

2 . And of the Divinest order. Protected and maintained by the constant presence of God.

3 . And of the truest wisdom. ( Psalms 87:4 .) "Them that know me."

III. TO BECOME A CITIZEN THERE A MAN MUST BE SPIRITUALLY BORN INTO IT . The new birth is the condition of citizenship. "This man was born there."

1 . Else it can never become a home to us. Not a congenial place to us.

2 . We should not else be able to enter into its highest privileges, rights, and obligations.

IV. IT IS THE HOME OF THE NEW BORN MAN , IRRESPECTVE OF NATIONAL DISTINCTION Jew and Gentile, bond and free, king and peasant, may find a home there.

V. IT IS THE FOUNTAIN OF ALL DIVINE AND HUMAN GOOD . ( Psalms 87:7 .) All the truest and most real blessedness.—S.