Bible Commentary

And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her. 5. The Psalmist speaks, echoing the divine decree from Zion’s point of view, dwelling upon the honour which will accrue to Zion by this accession of citizens. Yea, of Zion it shall be … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 87:5”

I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this [man] was born there. 4. God Himself is the speaker (cp. Psa 60:6 ff.). I will make mention of, solemnly and publicly acknowledge, Rahab and Babylon, as among them that know me, that own Me … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 87:4”

Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah. 3. Glorious things are spoken of thee ] This need not be limited to the utterance of Psa 87:4 ff., but may include the great prophetic promises generally, such as Isa 2:2 ff; Isa 11:10; Isa 19:20 ff.; and, if the Psalm is post-exilic, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 87:3”

The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. 2. the gates of Zion ] A poetical expression for the city, specially appropriate with reference to the thought of the crowd of pilgrims (Psa 122:2) entering it from all nations (Isa 60:11; Rev 22:14). more than all the dwellings of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 87:2”

A Psalm [or] Song for the sons of Korah. His foundation [is] in the holy mountains. 1. The Psalmist’s heart is full of his theme. He states it abruptly in a verse of a single line (cp. Psa 18:1): ’ Tis his foundation upon the holy mountains: which stands by itself as a kind of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 87:1”

Show me a token for good; that they which hate me may see [it], and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast helped me, and comforted me. 17. a token for good ] Some visible and unmistakable sign of Thy favour towards me. Cp. Jer 24:6; Ezr 8:22; Neh 5:19; Neh 13:31. that they &c.] That … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 86:17”

O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid. 16. O turn &c.] From Psa 25:16. have mercy upon me ] Render, be gracious unto me, to shew the connexion with the attribute ‘gracious’ in Psa 86:15. thy servant the son of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 86:16”

But thou, O Lord, [art] a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. 15. Word for word from Exo 34:6. With his proud and merciless enemies he contrasts the revealed character of God, as the ground of the prayer which follows. Though he may have deserved punishment, God cannot … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 86:15”

O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent [men] have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them. 14. Again, though the Psalmist may be referring to personal circumstances, it is not impossible that he is alluding to dangers by which the community was threatened. The verse … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 86:14”

For great [is] thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell. For great is thy mercy toward me – In respect to me; or, Thou hast manifested great mercy to me; to wit, in past times. He makes use of this now as an argument or reason why God … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 86:13”