Psalms 87:2

The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.

The LORD {H3068} loveth {H157}{H8802)} the gates {H8179} of Zion {H6726} more than all the dwellings {H4908} of Jacob {H3290}.

ADONAI loves the gates of Tziyon more than all the dwellings in Ya'akov.

The LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.

Jehovah loveth the gates of Zion More than all the dwellings of Jacob.

Psalms 87:2 (KJV) declares God's profound and unique affection for Zion, stating, "The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob." This verse highlights the special status of Jerusalem, particularly Mount Zion, in God's eyes.

Context

Psalm 87 is a prophetic and celebratory psalm, likely composed by the Sons of Korah, focusing on the glory and future of Zion (Jerusalem). It envisions Zion not just as a physical city but as the spiritual center from which God's blessings and salvation flow, a place where people from all nations will one day acknowledge their spiritual birth. This particular verse establishes the foundation for Zion's significance: God's own choice and deep affection for it. The "gates of Zion" symbolize the city's strength, administration, and its very essence as a place of access and authority.

Key Themes

  • Divine Favor and Election: The verse powerfully emphasizes God's unique and preferential love for Zion. While He loves all His people and their settlements ("dwellings of Jacob"), Zion holds a preeminent place in His heart and plan. This speaks to God's sovereign choice, establishing Zion as His holy city and dwelling place.
  • Centrality of God's Presence: The love for Zion stems from its role as the chosen location for God's dwelling among His people, specifically where the Temple was built. It was the earthly embodiment of His covenant presence, a place where His glory resided (1 Kings 8:13).
  • Spiritual Significance of Jerusalem: Beyond its physical walls, Zion represents the spiritual capital of God's kingdom. It is the place from which salvation and truth would eventually emanate to the entire world, foreshadowing the coming of Christ and the establishment of His church.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "gates of Zion" is significant. Gates in ancient cities were not merely entrances; they were centers of commerce, justice, and public life. To love the "gates" implies a love for the entire city, its institutions, its people, and its purpose. "Zion" itself refers to one of the hills of Jerusalem, which became synonymous with the city as a whole, especially its spiritual and governmental heart. "Jacob" represents the entire nation of Israel, descended from the patriarch Jacob, emphasizing that God's special love for Zion surpasses His general love for all other parts of Israel.

Related Scriptures

This divine preference for Zion is a recurring theme throughout the Psalms and prophetic books. For instance, Psalms 132:13 explicitly states, "For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation." Isaiah also speaks of God's dwelling in Zion (Isaiah 8:18). This earthly Zion ultimately points to the heavenly Jerusalem and the eternal dwelling of God with His people, as described in the New Testament.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalms 87:2 reminds us that God has chosen places and people for special purposes. While the physical city of Jerusalem held a unique place in God's plan for Israel, the principle extends to the spiritual "Zion" – the Church, which is the body of Christ. God's love for His Church, His redeemed people, is profound and steadfast. This verse encourages us to value God's presence among us, to cherish the spiritual community He has established, and to participate in His global redemptive plan, knowing that His love is the foundation of our spiritual heritage and future hope.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 132:13

    For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired [it] for his habitation.

  • Psalms 132:14

    This [is] my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.

  • Psalms 78:67

    Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim:

  • Psalms 78:69

    And he built his sanctuary like high [palaces], like the earth which he hath established for ever.

  • Deuteronomy 12:5

    ¶ But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, [even] unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:

  • Joel 2:32

    And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

  • Isaiah 14:32

    What shall [one] then answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it.

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