1 On the holy mount stands the city he founded;
2 the Lord loves the gates of Zion
more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.
3 Glorious things of you are spoken,
O city of God. Selah
4 Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon;
behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush—
“This one was born there,” they say.
5 And of Zion it shall be said,
“This one and that one were born in her”;
for the Most High himself will establish her.
6 The Lord records as he registers the peoples,
“This one was born there.” Selah
7 Singers and dancers alike say,
“All my springs are in you.”
I picture the author of this Psalm sitting in an ancient lawn chair, looking up on Mount Zion, soaking it all in. I picture him, in awe of what God has done. The most holy place on Earth for the Jews, Zion. Where God meets humanity and speaks to them face to face. I picture him being filled with a revelation and an inspiration - as he sings a prophecy about the coming Zion.
It’s interesting, that the author mentions non-Jewish nations - like Babylon and Egypt. He not only mentions them, but says they are born in Zion for the Most High establishes her (v. 5). In other words, the Most High determines who is born of Zion. Its amazing what prophecies and promises we find about Jesus in the Psalms. Jesus came to establish God’s people on a firm foundation, the New Zion. A place where deliverance, prosperity, hope, power, glory and forgiveness happen. A place where God and humanity live together. A place so strong and mighty, nothing can tear it down. And the beauty of this new Zion, is Jews and Gentiles alike may be born of it!
I like to believe, that as the author is staring up at Mount Zion from his ancient lawn chair, seeing the strength and glory it hold; he realizes the power God has. For he realized before it was ever written, that "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28). That even the Epytians and the Babylonians will be able to say they are born in God’s city. What a God we serve!!
