He has founded his city on the holy mountain. 2 The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the other dwellings of Jacob.
One of the Lord’s favourite places.
3 Glorious things are said of you, city of God:[a] 4 “I will record Rahab[b] and Babylon among those who acknowledge me— Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush[c]— and will say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’”[d] 5 Indeed, of Zion it will be said, “This one and that one were born in her, and the Most High himself will establish her.” 6 The Lord will write in the register of the peoples: “This one was born in Zion.”
Rahab is first in this list. She’s a woman. Some folks would be upset by this, but it’s the world of the Lord.
7 As they make music they will sing, “All my fountains are in you.”
Lord, you are the God who saves me; day and night I cry out to you. 2 May my prayer come before you; turn your ear to my cry.
3 I am overwhelmed with troubles and my life draws near to death. 4 I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am like one without strength. 5 I am set apart with the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more, who are cut off from your care.
Not a great day for this guy.
6 You have put me in the lowest pit, in the darkest depths. 7 Your wrath lies heavily on me; you have overwhelmed me with all your waves.[d] 8 You have taken from me my closest friends and have made me repulsive to them. I am confined and cannot escape; 9 my eyes are dim with grief.
I call to you, Lord, every day; I spread out my hands to you. 10 Do you show your wonders to the dead? Do their spirits rise up and praise you? 11 Is your love declared in the grave, your faithfulness in Destruction[e]? 12 Are your wonders known in the place of darkness, or your righteous deeds in the land of oblivion?
Whatever place this guy is in, he definitely doesn’t want to be there.
13 But I cry to you for help, Lord; in the morning my prayer comes before you. 14 Why, Lord, do you reject me and hide your face from me?
15 From my youth I have suffered and been close to death; I have borne your terrors and am in despair. 16 Your wrath has swept over me; your terrors have destroyed me. 17 All day long they surround me like a flood;they have completely engulfed me.
18 You have taken from me friend and neighbor— darkness is my closest friend.
IIWAC: Psalm 87 And 88
2 The Lord loves the gates of Zion
more than all the other dwellings of Jacob.
One of the Lord’s favourite places.
3 Glorious things are said of you,
city of God:[a]
4 “I will record Rahab[b] and Babylon
among those who acknowledge me—
Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush[c]—
and will say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’”[d]
5 Indeed, of Zion it will be said,
“This one and that one were born in her,
and the Most High himself will establish her.”
6 The Lord will write in the register of the peoples:
“This one was born in Zion.”
Rahab is first in this list. She’s a woman. Some folks would be upset by this, but it’s the world of the Lord.
7 As they make music they will sing,
“All my fountains are in you.”
Lord, you are the God who saves me;
day and night I cry out to you.
2 May my prayer come before you;
turn your ear to my cry.
3 I am overwhelmed with troubles
and my life draws near to death.
4 I am counted among those who go down to the pit;
I am like one without strength.
5 I am set apart with the dead,
like the slain who lie in the grave,
whom you remember no more,
who are cut off from your care.
Not a great day for this guy.
6 You have put me in the lowest pit,
in the darkest depths.
7 Your wrath lies heavily on me;
you have overwhelmed me with all your waves.[d]
8 You have taken from me my closest friends
and have made me repulsive to them.
I am confined and cannot escape;
9 my eyes are dim with grief.
I call to you, Lord, every day;
I spread out my hands to you.
10 Do you show your wonders to the dead?
Do their spirits rise up and praise you?
11 Is your love declared in the grave,
your faithfulness in Destruction[e]?
12 Are your wonders known in the place of darkness,
or your righteous deeds in the land of oblivion?
Whatever place this guy is in, he definitely doesn’t want to be there.
13 But I cry to you for help, Lord;
in the morning my prayer comes before you.
14 Why, Lord, do you reject me
and hide your face from me?
15 From my youth I have suffered and been close to death;
I have borne your terrors and am in despair.
16 Your wrath has swept over me;
your terrors have destroyed me.
17 All day long they surround me like a flood; they have completely engulfed me.
18 You have taken from me friend and neighbor—
darkness is my closest friend.
Scripture Discussed: Psalm 87 through Psalm 88