GLORIOUS THINGS OF THEE ARE SPOKEN
A Sermon on Psalm 87 — The Glory of Zion and the Universal Call of the Gospel
Primary Text: Psalm 87:3 — “Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.”
Supporting Texts: Psalm 87:1–7; Isaiah 2:2–3; John 3:3–7; Galatians 4:26–27; Hebrews 12:22–24
I. INTRODUCTION — A Song of the City of God
Beloved, the sons of Korah — those Levitical singers who stood in the temple courts — penned this brief but magnificent psalm. It is a triumphal song celebrating the glory of the Church as the means of spiritual blessing to the nations. As Matthew Henry observes, this psalm is “an encomium of Zion, as a type and figure of the gospel-church”.
In the Psalms, we find a song which some forbid — that we sing praises to our God. But not so here, and in many parts of Scripture. We could venture even into Christians dancing to the Lord. There is a clear dichotomy between worship and wider postural or ceremonial processions. But singing — whether you view that we only sing the Psalms or new songs — we ought, and do, sing praise to the Lord. Hallelujah. Amen.
The hymn-writer John Newton, who penned the beloved words “Amazing Grace,” also gave us this enduring verse:
“Glorious things of thee are spoken, Zion, city of our God; He whose word cannot be broken formed thee for His own abode. On the Rock of Ages founded, what can shake thy sure repose?”
What are we to sing? Even from this Psalm we can glean — about the attributes of God for and towards His people. For the Bible is not written for beasts but for men. No dogs or horses or any other creature we may so admire here.
II. THE FOUNDATION — Christ the Unshakable Rock
“His foundation is in the holy mountains” (Psalm 87:1).
The psalmist begins abruptly, as one who has been meditating deeply on the glories of the holy city and breaks forth in exclamation. The foundation — what God has founded — is Zion itself. The church has a foundation, so that it cannot sink or totter.
What is this foundation? It is Christ Himself. As Matthew Henry declares: “Christ himself is the foundation of it, which God has laid”. The Apostle Paul confirms: “Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11).
The world is founded upon the seas, which are continually ebbing and flowing — a weak foundation indeed. Babel was built in a plain, where the ground was rotten. But the church is built upon the everlasting mountains, the perpetual hills. For sooner shall the mountains depart and the hills be removed than the covenant of God’s peace be disannulled.
The doctrines, merits, and laws of Christ are those holy mountains on which His church is built. Holiness is the strength and stability of His church. It is built not so much upon mountains as upon holy mountains — upon the word and promise of the holy God, upon the mediation of His holy Son, and upon the sanctifying influence of His Holy Spirit.
III. THE GATES — God’s Sovereign Choice
“The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob” (Psalm 87:2).
The gates are put for the city itself. God’s love for Zion is not because of its own merit or beauty, but because of His free choice. As John Calvin observes: “Here we are taught that all the excellence of the holy city depended on the free choice which God had made of it”.
The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than any other dwelling in Israel. He preferred Zion for His habitation. This is the mystery of election — not because we were lovely, but because He loved us. Not because we chose Him, but because He chose us.
The gates of Zion — the place of entrance, of welcome, of access — are beloved of God. And through those gates, all who will may enter. As the Lord said through the prophet: “I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there” (Psalm 87:4).
IV. GLORIOUS THINGS SPOKEN — The City of God
“Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah” (Psalm 87:3).
Here is the heart of the Psalm. Many base things were spoken of the city of God by its enemies, to render it mean and odious. But by Him whose judgment we are sure is according to truth, glorious things are spoken of it.
We are to judge of things and persons by the figure they make and the estimate put upon them in and by Scripture. The world speaks meanly of the church of Christ. It calls it foolish, outdated, irrelevant. But God speaks gloriously of it. And whose word shall stand? The Lord’s, or the world’s?
The glorious things spoken of Zion by the Spirit were all typical of Christ and His work and offices; of the gospel church, its privileges and members; of heaven, its glory and perfect happiness.
Let us not be ashamed of the church of Christ in its meanest condition, nor of those that belong to it, since such glorious things are spoken of it. The church may appear weak, despised, and persecuted. But in God’s eyes, she is glorious. She is His city, His dwelling place, His beloved.
V. THE NATIONS — Universal Salvation Foretold
“I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there” (Psalm 87:4).
Here is a remarkable prophecy of the universality of the gospel. The psalmist enumerates the great nations of the known world:
Rahab — a name for Egypt, signifying its pride and strength. Egypt had enslaved God’s people for 400 years. Yet God says, “I will make mention of Rahab to them that know me.” The oppressor shall become a worshipper. They will be told about to the people of Zion as an example of God’s redeeming grace.
Babylon — the instrument of chastisement, the nation that carried Israel into captivity. Yet God will record Babylon among those who acknowledge Him.
Philistia — the constant thorn in the flesh, the neighbour who was always in conflict with Israel. Yet Philistia shall be counted among God’s people.
Tyre — the wealthy trading city, the merchant who took economic advantage of the Lord’s people. Yet Tyre shall be born in Zion.
Ethiopia — the distant land, representing the uttermost parts of the earth. Yet Ethiopia shall say, “This one was born there.”
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The inclusion of these nations indicates a universal recognition of God, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries. They are mentioned as specimens — near and far, enemies and strangers — all gathered into Zion.
This is a prophecy of the gospel age. As the Apostle Paul would later declare: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).
VI. BORN IN ZION — The Spiritual Rebirth
“And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her” (Psalm 87:5).
“The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah” (Psalm 87:6).
Here we come to the glorious doctrine of spiritual regeneration. The psalmist declares that people from every nation shall be counted as native citizens of Zion. They shall be born there — not by physical birth, but by spiritual rebirth.
As one commentator observes: “In their coming to faith in the living God, He, Yahweh, declared them born again. ‘They were born there,’ that is, in Zion”.
This is the very doctrine our Lord Jesus Christ taught Nicodemus: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). And when Nicodemus, a ruler in Israel, a high-ranking religious leader with Scripture at his disposal, did not understand, the Lord was amazed. If he didn’t understand, the more reason we are to speak of this often — for many others don’t, even in the churches.
The psalmist’s language is that of a register — a census of the people of God. God Himself writes up the peoples. And when He does, He records not their earthly citizenship but their spiritual birth. “This one was born in Zion.”
The doctrine of the new birth — that we must be born again — is not some obscure teaching. It is the very heart of the gospel. And the number 144,000 in Revelation, though symbolic, tells us plainly that the number is known. There is room at the banquet. Go to the highways and byways and compel them to come in (Luke 14:23).
VII. THE FOUNTAINS — Springs of Living Water
“As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee” (Psalm 87:7).
The psalm concludes with a great procession of those registered as citizens of Zion. The singers and players on instruments shall be there. And each shall say, “All my springs are in thee”.
In His people are springs of living water — a cup overflowing, a wellspring of great refreshing. The Korahites, David, Asaph, Moses, Esther, Deborah, Miriam with timbrels and musical instruments — all sang. Old and new, they sang a new song, for the culmination of the salvation of Zion was accomplished.
Korah, the leader of the rebellion against Moses (Numbers 16), had sons who did not perish with him. And those sons — the sons of Korah — became the gatekeepers and singers in the temple. They who were descended from rebellion became the ministers of praise. Is there any more glorious picture of redemption? Even from the ashes of rebellion, God raises up worshippers.
When the moment the entire realm since creation was waiting for — spoken of, proclaimed, and prophesied down the ages — was come, Christ arose as predicted. He appeared to Zion, even five hundred at once, and ascended into heaven. He ate, walking through walls. He was recognisable, as we shall be recognisable. In that realm, though a new body, firstborn of the living in body and soul, not one bone was broken.
“Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). No wonder singing and singers and instruments are in Zion, springing up songs of praise and worship to the One who alone deserves the accolade — alone worthy of our praise — the Lamb once slain, now risen. Praise the Lord.
VIII. APPLICATION — The Call to the World
What then shall we say to these glorious things?
First, to the unbeliever: Come to Zion. Come to the city of God. You may have been born in Egypt, in Babylon, in Philistia, in Tyre, in Ethiopia — in the land of your captivity, in the place of your sin, in the darkness of your unbelief. But God says, “This man was born there.” There is a new birth available. There is a citizenship in heaven. There is a registration in the Lamb’s book of life.
“Come, and taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8). Lasting soul food of the Bible. Lasting guilt-free mindset of perpetual obedience and peace that passes understanding. He is so near — against the devil’s convincing that He is afar off. Come, make no delay. He is waiting to take and rescue from the allures of the evil one.
Second, to the believer: We have been born in Zion. We are citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem. We have a foundation that cannot be shaken. We have gates that are loved by God Himself. We have a register that records our names in heaven.
But we are also heralds. We get to share and gain rewards far above what we put in. Pensions are assured. It is elevation. “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).
Yes, we have to be here and labour, take knocks when we herald the Word. Some are imprisoned, some are killed, some are disenfranchised and spend their days in poverty and pain. But throughout life’s journey, we are refreshed with bliss without alloy — assurances and reliefs, often saved from these predicaments. But when not, shown the better kingdom we shall be part of, so that our light affliction becomes nothing compared to the glorious receipt that are ours in the Lord.
Third, to the discouraged: The world speaks meanly of the church. The world says the church is dying, irrelevant, powerless. But God speaks gloriously of her. And whose word shall stand? The Lord’s, or the world’s?
Do not be ashamed of the church of Christ in its meanest condition. Let us not be ashamed of the church of Christ in its meanest condition, nor of those that belong to it, since such glorious things are spoken of it.
IX. CONCLUSION — The Glorious Things Are Yours
Beloved, glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. But are they spoken of you? Are you a citizen of that city? Have you been born in Zion? Is your name written in the Lamb’s book of life?
The Psalm ends with a procession. Singers and players on instruments, all the redeemed, marching toward the city of God. And each one says, “All my springs are in thee.”
All my hope. All my joy. All my peace. All my righteousness. All my life. All is in Thee, O Zion. All is in Thee, O Christ.
“Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God.”
Not of Rome. Not of Washington. Not of London. Not of any earthly city. But of the city whose builder and maker is God. Of the Jerusalem that is above, which is free, which is the mother of us all (Galatians 4:26).
Come to that city. Be born in that city. And sing with the redeemed:
“All my springs are in thee.”
Amen.
Soli Deo Gloria
