All Our Springs – Psalm 87

Though we must say that the Old Testament is Israel-centered, there is a consistent strain throughout of the conversion of the Gentiles.  Here in this psalm, in the second stanza, we are surprised to see that God will one day regard Gentiles (Rahab [Egypt], Babylon, etc.) as citizens of Jerusalem.    In the hymn by John Newton, Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken, we sing, “Blest inhabitants of Zion, Washed in the Redeemer’s blood! Jesus, whom their souls rely on, Makes them kings and priests to God.”

A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. A Song.

On the holy mount stands the city he founded; the LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.  Glorious things of you are spoken, O city of God. Selah

Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush—“This one was born there,” they say.  And of Zion it shall be said, “This one and that one were born in her”; for the Most High himself will establish her.  The LORD records as he registers the peoples, “This one was born there.” Selah

Singers and dancers alike say, “All my springs are in you.”  (Psalm 87 ESV)

Where God manifests His presence is the place where believers love to be and consider it a privilege to experience.  The meeting of the church, the people of Christ, is not Jerusalem, but it is where we weekly experience a manifestation of God’s grace and power.  And so we say, “All our springs are in our local church meeting.”  It is there we find our refreshment over and over.  And on an individual basis our daily interaction with God does the same thing, bringing us close to Him.