Psalm 87 is a beautiful celebration of Zion,
The city of God,
A symbol of divine presence,
Refuge and joy.
For modern readers,
This psalm reminds us of the sacred spaces within and around us,
Places where we encounter the divine and experience the fullness of life.
As we meditate on these verses,
Let us open our hearts to their timeless message of hope,
Peace and belonging.
Psalm 87 His foundation is in the holy mountains.
The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
Glorious things are spoken of you,
O city of God,
Selah.
I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to those who know me.
Behold,
O Philistia,
And Tyre with Ethiopia.
This one was born there.
And of Zion it will be said,
This one and that one were born in her,
And the Most High Himself shall establish her.
The Lord will record when He registers the peoples.
This one was born here,
Selah.
Both the singers and the players on instruments say,
All my springs are in you.
Verse 1 His foundation is in the holy mountains.
The psalm begins by grounding us in the idea of foundation,
A firm,
Immovable base.
God's foundation is not in ordinary places,
But in holy mountains,
Symbolic of strength,
Stability and sacredness.
For us,
This verse invites reflection.
What are the foundations of our lives?
Are they built on fleeting pursuits?
Or on a sacred connection to the divine?
Take a moment to picture a mountain,
Standing resolute against time and storms.
As the mountain is unshakable,
So is God's presence in our lives.
Let this thought bring you comfort as you consider the solid ground upon which you stand.
Verse 2 The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
The gates of Zion represent entry into a sacred space,
A place chosen by God for His dwelling.
This verse tells us that God's heart is drawn to Zion,
A community of worship,
Justice and peace.
Think about the gates in your life,
The moments when you cross from the mundane into the holy.
This might be in quiet prayer,
In deep conversation or a simple moment of gratitude.
God cherishes these gates where we come close to Him.
Let us be intentional in opening these gates daily,
Seeking the divine in the everyday.
Verse 3 Glorious things are spoken of you,
O city of God,
Selah.
The psalmist pauses here to marvel at the glory of Zion.
This is not mere earthly glory,
But the radiant beauty of a place infused with God's presence.
Reflect on the glorious things spoken about your own life,
Not by others,
But by God.
You are God's creation,
His beloved.
No matter how unworthy you may feel,
God sees glory in you.
Take a deep breath and let this glorious thing speak to you.
This truth settles in your soul.
You are part of God's sacred story.
Verse 4 I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to those who know me.
Behold,
O Philistia,
Entire with Ethiopia,
This one was born there.
Here we see a vision of inclusivity and divine recognition.
Nations once considered outsiders or even enemies are acknowledged as belonging to Zion.
This verse challenges us to expand our understanding of who is included in God's love.
It invites us to recognize the divine image in all people,
Regardless of their origins or differences.
Reflect on your own heart.
Where can you make space for greater love and acceptance?
Verse 5 And of Zion it will be said,
This one and that one were born in her,
And the Most High Himself shall establish her.
Zion is not merely a physical location but a spiritual birthplace.
It is a place where our identity as children of God is confirmed.
Imagine Zion as a sacred space within you,
A place where God establishes His presence in your heart.
Return to this sanctuary often,
Knowing that your identity and purpose are rooted in Him.
Verse 6 The Lord will record when He registers the peoples.
This one was born there,
Selah.
God is the divine recorder,
Marking each of us as belonging to Him.
This verse speaks of assurance.
Our place in God's family is secure.
Pause and visualize God lovingly writing your name in His book,
Declaring,
This one is mine.
Selah Allow this thought to dissolve any feelings of isolation or insignificance.
Verse 7 Both the singers and the players on instruments say,
All my springs are in you.
The psalm concludes with joyful celebration.
Zion is not only a place of belonging but also the source of life's blessings.
All my springs are in you.
Think of the springs in your life,
The wells of joy,
Peace,
And strength that sustain you.
They all flow from God.
Spend a moment in gratitude for these blessings and let your heart join in the psalmist's song of praise.
Psalm 87 is an invitation to root our lives in the sacred.
To see ourselves and others as part of God's glorious creation and to draw our strength and joy from Him.
As you carry these reflections with you,
Let them remind you that you are never far from Zion,
The city of God.
It is as near as your next prayer.
Your next breath.
Loving God,
You are the foundation of our lives,
The source of all that is good and true.
Help us to dwell in your presence,
To see the sacred in ourselves and others and to draw from the springs of your love and peace.
May our hearts be gates of welcome and joy open to your divine presence.
In every step,
Remind us that we are part of your holy city,
Secure and cherished in your care.
Amen.
