Read
(A psalm and a song by the clan of Korah.)
The Glory of Mount Zion
1Zion was built by the Lord
on the holy mountain,
2and he loves that city
more than any other place
in all of Israel.
3Zion, you are the city of God,
and wonderful things
are told about you.
4Egypt, Babylonia, Philistia,
Phoenicia, and Ethiopia
are some of those nations
that know you,
and their people all say,
“I was born in Zion.”
5God Most High will strengthen
the city of Zion.
Then everyone will say,
“We were born here too.”
6The Lord will make a list
of his people,
and all who were born here
will be included.
7All who sing or dance will say,
“I too am from Zion.”
Reflect
Have you ever broken out in song and dance just because you know God loves you?
The Zion of Psalm 87 isn’t the Zion we first encounter in Israel’s story. In 2 Samuel 5:6-10, Zion referred to a specific mountain, Mount Zion, near Jerusalem, on which stood a Jebusite fortress of the same name. David captured Zion and re-named it the city of David. Over time, Zion came to designate the area of Jerusalem where the fortress stood.
Hundreds of years later, Zion refers to Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem and to Jerusalem itself. Zion has become the spiritual point from which the spirit and culture of a people emerge. And this spiritual point rests in the heart of the temple – in the Holy of Holies – where God’s presence resides.
The authors of Psalm 87 tell us why Zion is that spiritual point:
The LORD built it (verse 1)
He loves that city more than any other place (verse 2)
It is the city of God (verse 3)
Wonderful things are told about it (verse 4)
People of all nations call it home (verses 4 – 6)
God strengthens it (verse 5)
God welcomes all who know it (verse 6)
This text leads us to Jesus, God’s beloved son with whom God is well pleased. And in Jesus, God builds, loves, delights over and strengthens you. In Jesus, God invites you to make him home.
Put on your dancing shoes.
Respond
Immanuel, God-with-us, you came so that we would know, beyond a doubt, how much your Father loves us. Help us to fully know that love so that we, in turn, may boldly make that love known to the nations. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Renee James
Renee James is the communications director for Canadian Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec (CBWOQ), and the editor of its award-winning magazine live. An award-winning freelance writer, she’s been published in Faith Today and has been a regular contributor to Leadership Journal and Today’s Christian Woman both published by Christianity Today International (CTI). She's also been a regular contributor to Gifted For Leadership, CTI’s leadership blog written by and for women leaders.