This short yet elegant Psalm speaks of Jerusalem and the spiritual lineage of God’s people. It’s rich with history and geography while retaining a sense of poetic imagery and promise of God.
“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. 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.’ Singers and dancers alike say, ‘All my springs are in you.’ ” (v1-7)
The Psalmist’s geographic focus is Jerusalem – the “city of God”, “city God founded on a holy mountain”, “Zion”, place of “springs”, “city of glorious repute”. Those who are familiar with the geography of Jerusalem would recognize the names of the surrounding nations that the psalmist mentions – Rahab (Egypt), Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Cush. Since God had to pick a location in this world for His redemption to happen (ie. sending Jesus to atone for sin) the geographic area of Israel is where He chose to have the majority of events occur. Though God is universal and loves all people equally, there seems to be a special place in His heart for this geographic area and the people He established there through the promises to Abraham, Isaac, Israel, and Moses.
The psalmist speaks of lineage and heritage (v4-6). In ancient times, people were frequently known by where they came from – Jesus of Nazareth, Joseph of Arimathea, Paul of Tarsus, etc. Perhaps this was to signify to which person you were referring (there weren’t many/any surnames utilized at this point) but it also told you something about the person’s background/culture when you met them (this second reason still mildly applies today).
We are also told that God registers/records people as “one born there” in the city of Zion. What happens when we die to sin and are raised again in Christ? We are said to be “born again into the family of God” (1 Pet 1:3-4) and “our name is recorded in heaven” (Lk 10:20). Why is this significant? If people know we are children of Zion (ie. children of God, Christ followers, etc.) it gives them a good idea of our culture and worldview. Since Jesus atoned for our sin, being born of Zion is no longer exclusive to being physically born in that geographic location – Zion is where we are spiritually born again.
Regardless of where we are physically born, the city of Zion (referring to Jerusalem in the OT, and the New Jerusalem/heaven later in the NT) is where all people will one day end up (sometimes called “the pearly gates”) – either to be denied access, or to be granted eternal presence with God. Just as the psalmist said “Singers and dancers alike say, ‘All my springs are in you.’ ” (v7), the New Jerusalem will also be a place of celebration (singing and dancing) with springs of the water of life (Rev 22:1). I look forward to seeing this place where “the Lord records as he registers the peoples, ‘This one was born there.’ ” (v6)
Father God, we celebrate You for Your loving-kindness, steadfastness, grace and mercy. We look forward to one day seeing this magnificent place You have prepared for us. In the mean time, Father please be our words, wisdom, and strength as we serve those around us, that they may see an initial glimpse of Your glory through us and be recorded into Your kingdom. May Your grace and mercy be extended to those who do not yet have Your inheritance, and may You create those opportunities for us to have even one more person join us in that celebration of Your presence. All praise, honor and glory be to You, O Lord of Zion, God of Israel. Amen.
~ Conqueror in Training