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 – We are instructed to pause and ponder. Why are glorious things spoken of this city on Mt Zion? Why is it ‘more than all the dwelling places of Jacob?’ Why is it better than Bethel (the house of God)? What about Ramah, where Samuel the first of the prophets and who was the last of the judges and who anointed both Saul and David as kings? Why not Hebron where both Abraham and Jacob are buried with their first wives in the Cave of the Patriarchs? Although it had not always been the capital, I think Jerusalem on Mount Zion stands out more glorious because the mercy seat was there in the Holiest of Holies in the temple! God made it His city! Although He dwells in the Universe, and may I say even what is beyond the Universe, He sat Enthroned on the Mercy Seat!
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 – Another pause and a challenge to ponder on what has been said. Rahab is a person’s name and studying her is worthwhile, but as all the other names mentioned here are countries I think that here, Rahab, is often used as a name for Egypt, which the Bible sometimes does. So we have Egypt, where for instance Joseph is famous, although I don’t know exactly where Joseph was born, but certainly in Cannan; Babylon where many famous ‘Jews’ were carted away from Jerusalem to be captives there. Jeremiah is famous; David was famous and he lived in Philistia etc. Thinking about Nobel prizes I looked in Wikipedia and found this ‘Although making up less than 0.2% of the global population, Jews account for over 20% of all Nobel laureates, totaling over 210 individuals. They are significantly over-represented in scientific fields, particularly in chemistry, medicine, and physics.’ Although scattered very widely and relatively few in number God seems ‘to record’ what Jewish people do!
7 Singers and dancers alike say,
“All my springs are in you.” – This seems comical to me. Singers may gently sway etc but dancers ‘spring’ into action! I think it means here that these ‘artists’ claim that their energy comes from God!
Psalm 132: 13-15 – For the LORD has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his dwelling place:
“This is my resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
I will abundantly bless her provisions; I will satisfy her poor with bread.
Prayer: Thank You Father that the work which Jesus did on the Cross in Jerusalem makes reconciliation with You possible for all peoples!