Psalms 87:3

Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.

Glorious things {H3513}{H8737)} are spoken {H1696}{H8794)} of thee, O city {H5892} of God {H430}. Selah {H5542}.

Glorious things are said about you, city of God. (Selah)

Glorious things are ascribed to you, O city of God. Selah

Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. [Selah

Context of Psalms 87:3

Psalm 87 is a song of Zion, celebrating God's special love for and foundation of Jerusalem, often referred to as Mount Zion. This psalm highlights the unique status of Jerusalem not just as a geographical location, but as the chosen dwelling place of God. The preceding verses (Psalms 87:1-2) establish God's deep affection for the city, stating that "His foundation is in the holy mountains" and "The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob." Verse 3, "Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah," serves as a declaration of the city's divinely ordained honor and destiny, inviting reflection on its profound spiritual significance to ancient Israel and beyond.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Election and Favor: The verse emphasizes that Jerusalem's glory is not self-derived but comes from God's deliberate choice and blessing. It is the "city of God," indicating divine ownership and protection. This theme resonates with God's choosing of Israel as His people and Jerusalem as His dwelling place.
  • Inherent Glory and Honor: The "glorious things" spoken of Zion are a testament to its inherent value and future promise, not merely human praise. This glory is rooted in its connection to the Almighty, making it a focal point of worship and divine activity.
  • Prophetic Foreshadowing: Beyond the literal city of Jerusalem, this verse often points prophetically to the spiritual Zion—the Church—and ultimately to the New Jerusalem, the heavenly city where God will dwell with His people eternally. It speaks to the ultimate hope and destiny of God's redeemed.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "glorious things" is nikhbadot (נִכְבָּדוֹת), which comes from the root kabad, meaning "to be heavy," "honored," or "weighty." It implies not just beautiful or admirable things, but things of substantial importance, dignity, and inherent worth. These are not fleeting compliments but weighty declarations of divine truth concerning the city. The term "Selah" (סֶלָה) is a recurring word in the Psalms, typically understood as a musical or meditative pause, prompting the reader or singer to reflect deeply on the preceding words and their profound implications.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalms 87:3 offers rich application:

  • Identity in Christ: As followers of Christ, we are spiritual citizens of God's kingdom, part of a spiritual "city of God" that transcends earthly boundaries. This gives us a divine identity and purpose, reminding us that our citizenship is in heaven.
  • Hope and Assurance: The glorious things spoken of Zion assure us of God's faithfulness to His promises and His ultimate plan for His people. It fosters hope in the future, knowing that God is building an eternal dwelling place for righteousness.
  • Value of the Church: Just as God chose Jerusalem, He has chosen the Church as His dwelling place on earth. This verse encourages us to see the Church, despite its imperfections, as profoundly valued and destined for glory because of God's presence within it.

Conclusion

Psalms 87:3 is a powerful declaration of God's special regard for His chosen city, Jerusalem, which carries profound spiritual and prophetic weight. It invites us to ponder the "glorious things" God has spoken concerning His dwelling place and His people, culminating in the eternal hope of the New Jerusalem. The call to "Selah" encourages us to pause and meditate on these weighty truths, appreciating the divine favor and ultimate destiny of the "city of God."

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.

  • Ezekiel 36:11

    And I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bring fruit: and I will settle you after your old estates, and will do better [unto you] than at your beginnings: and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.

  • Ezekiel 36:38

    As the holy flock, as the flock of Jerusalem in her solemn feasts; so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of men: and they shall know that I [am] the LORD.

  • Ezekiel 37:27

    My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

  • Ezekiel 37:28

    And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.

  • Revelation 21:10

    And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

  • Revelation 21:27

    And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither [whatsoever] worketh abomination, or [maketh] a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

  • Psalms 48:2

    Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, [is] mount Zion, [on] the sides of the north, the city of the great King.

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