Psalms

Psalms 87: God gathers the nations to Zion

Begin in prayer

Before we hear God count people from the nations among Zion's citizens, let us remember that birthplace cannot give anyone His saving welcome. Let us ask for saving welcome through Jesus and joy among the people God gathers from the nations.

Many nations shall join themselves to Yahweh in that day, and shall be my people; and I will dwell among you, and you shall know that Yahweh of Armies has sent me to you.

Zechariah 2:11

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that the Most High establishes His city and gives people from the nations a place among His people. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The sons of Korah sing of the city God founded in the holy mountains and loves above Jacob's other dwellings. Glorious things are spoken of Zion because it is His city. Then the Lord records foreign peoples among those who acknowledge Him, including nations long outside Israel's fellowship. One after another is counted as born in Zion, while the Most High Himself establishes her. The Lord writes up the peoples and gives them a place in His register. Singing and dancing answer this welcome, with the city's springs becoming the source of their gladness.

As you read Psalms 87, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The Most High establishes His city and counts people from the nations among those who belong there.

Zion's holy mountains belong to Jerusalem, where God's choice and presence give the city its honour. His love for her gates concerns the place where His people gather to worship, giving their common life a glory beyond its buildings. The foreign names make His purpose surprising, since Babylon and Philistia had stood among Israel's enemies. God records such peoples among those who acknowledge Him, granting a belonging their natural birthplace could not supply. The repeated declaration of birth in Zion pictures full citizenship in the city He establishes. His own register makes that standing secure, because the Lord who writes the peoples is also the One founding their home. The singers and dancers answer with joy, calling the city's blessings their springs because life there flows from God's gracious presence. Their gladness completes a movement that began with His foundation and ends with people from many nations at home before Him.

How does Psalm 87 show us that the Most High establishes His city and counts people from the nations among those who belong there?

God gives His city its foundation and glory.

The city is loved because God chose it for His presence and gathered worship. Its gates speak of the whole community before Him. The glorious things said of Zion depend on the Lord who established her.

God counts people from the nations as citizens of His city.

Foreign peoples are named among those who acknowledge the Lord. His register counts them as born in Zion, with full belonging in the city He secures. Their singing and dancing answer the gracious welcome that gives them a home.

Memorise

Yes, of Zion it will be said, “This one and that one was born in her”; the Most High himself will establish her.

Psalm 87:5

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what am I trusting in for the welcome that only Jesus gives?

Zion receives the promise that “the Most High himself will establish her.” People born far from Zion are counted among her citizens by the God who writes their names. Ephesians 2 verse 19 describes believers as fellow citizens and members of God's household.

Sin has made us strangers to the holy God's peace, whatever nation or family gave us birth. Jesus died for His people, receiving the judgment that their guilt deserved. He rose from the dead. Ancestry could never earn the welcome He has fully secured, giving His people forgiveness and a lasting place with God.

Turn from your sin and seek your welcome through Jesus. He forgives everyone who comes to Him in faith. Ask for the new heart that only God's grace can give. Those who belong to Christ share a home with His people from many nations. They can rejoice in the Saviour whose saving work gathered them.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the Most High establishes His city and gives people from the nations a place among His people. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for the welcome He gives people from many nations through Jesus. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Now he didn’t say this of himself, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but that he might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.

John 11:51-52

Most High God, please turn us from trusting our ancestry and bring us to Jesus for forgiveness. Thank You for gathering Your people from many nations into one household. Give our children new hearts, and make our home glad to worship with all who belong to Christ. Help Your church welcome one another with the joy of people You have brought near. Amen.