Psalms 87

Set a glass under a still or alembic, and it receives water from the alembic drop by drop: so the saints have the drops and influences of Christ's grace distilling upon them. What a rich consolation is this to those who either have no grace, or their stock is but low; they may g…

And (Psalm 62:5), my expectation is from him; I expect a kingdom from him. A child that is good natured will honor his parent, as expecting all that ever he is like to be worth from him (Psalm 87:8). All my fresh springs are in you.

God esteems his children as a crown of glory in his hand (Isaiah 62:3). 2. God loves the places they were born in the better for their sakes (Psalm 87:6). Of Sion it shall be said, this man was born there; this and that believer was born there: God loves the ground his children…

2. They are pointed out with the finger, with pronouns. Psalm 87:5, and of Sion it is said, this man — Hebrew, [in non-Latin alphabet] man and man shall be born in Sion. Isaiah 49:1: The Lord has called me from the womb, from the bowels of my mother has he made mention of my nam…

Vers. 5. One shall say, I am the Lord's: another shall be called by the name of Jacob: and another shall subscribe with his hand to the Lord, and name himself by the name of Israel. Hitherto the Prophet has spoken by similitudes; but now he delivers his mind plainly and without…

Now because it was too tedious to draw a long catalogue of all, he names this first and excellent miracle among the rest; namely, the wonderful deliverance of the people out of Egypt. For by Rahab, I doubt not but he means proud and cruel Egypt: as in Psalm 87; I will make menti…

Again, her manner of designing Christ, is observable, Him. It's a relative, where no antecedent goes before, yet certainly it looks to Christ alone, as the reasons show; Here no rules of art are kept, for love stands not on these: This manner of speaking is to be found also in m…

Church ordinances are the allowed and ordinary means of keeping fellowship with Christ, and they are all empty when he is not there. Observation 1. That even true believers have the visible Church for their mother, and it's written of them as their privilege, that they were born…

Thus the spiritual beauty of holiness in believers (Psalm 110:3) is set out as having in it so much loveliness as may commend it, and make it desirable and acceptable to others. 2. She is comely as Jerusalem: this was the head city of Judah, beautiful for situation, and the joy…

There in the Church, amongst his people, there God commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. Lastly, God blesseth more universally with all kinde of blessing, and therefore he is more present there: and in that respect the Psalmist says, Psalm 87:7 All my springs are in yo…

[Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches then the treasures of Egypt] Moses was not only content to suffer patiently the reproach of Christ, but he counted it his glory, his riches, greater riches then the Treasures of Egypt. Egypt was a rich country, and full of treasur…

God has a catalogue of his household; Christ knows his sheep by name. When God writes up the people, he counts that this man was born in Zion (Psalm 87:6). This is an extract of the Lamb's book of life.

It alludes to them who carry about them graven on the Stone of their Ring the Picture of some dear Friend whom they intirely affect. 2. God loves the places his Children were born in the better for their sakes: Psalm 87:2. God loves the Gates of Sion: ver. 5. This and that man w…

The prodigal dated his joy from the time of his repentance (Luke 15:24): Then they began to be merry. Fourth, checking the motions of the Spirit; the Spirit sets us a-mourning — it causes all our spring tides (Psalm 87:7): All my springs are in you. Often we meet with gracious m…

Now I proceed to the second Prerogative, which is yet to come: what holy David says of Zion, Glorious things are spoken of you, O you city of God (Psalm 87:3), I may apply to these blessed things in reversion. 2. The second Prerogative royal of a Christian is, he shall be carrie…

If it be said, it is very nothing, for children understand nothing of this. What then is meant by the prophecy of the incoming of the Gentiles (Psalm 87:3): Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God. 4. I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me; behold…

O love the ground that Christ walks on. To be born in Zion is an honor (Psalm 87:6), because there the Lord dwells. It is a blessing to hear and see Christ (Matthew 13:16).