Psalm 87 is a glorious vision of the future of Zion (that is, Jerusalem). Commentator Franz Delitzsch writes that God himself "declares the gracious, glorious, world-wide mission of His chosen and beloved city: it shall be the birth-place of all the nations" (Psalms Vol. 3, p. 17). This includes Rahab (that is, Egypt, the world power of the south (who once enslaved the Hebrew people)), and Babylon (the world power of the north (who once razed Jerusalem and exiled its people)), and Philistia, and Tyre, and Cush (that is, Ethiopia). People of these nations are said to be born in Jerusalem, as they are granted citizenship as God's people. "Jerusalem shall be universally regarded as the place where the water of life springs for the whole of mankind, and shall be universally praised as this place of fountains" (Delitzsch, Psalms, 21).
God, we join the singers and dancers of verse 7 in declaring: "All my springs are in you!" From you springs the water of life that has quenched the thirst of my soul and filled me with joy; from you springs the water of life that has given me new life and sustains me in this new life eternally. Praise your holy name!
God, we also celebrate your "gracious, glorious, world-wide mission." We celebrate that your grace does not just flow to Jerusalem, but flows through Jerusalem (and it's Savior) to all the world. We who pray this now, in places far from Jerusalem, recognize that we are only saved because your mission is a global mission. However, at times, Lord, we can forget your global mission, and think your grace is just intended to save people like us. As we pray this psalm, help us see how all encompassing your mission is. Your grace isn't just for some races, it's for the Egyptians and Ethiopians, Africans and Asians, and for people of all the nations. Your grace isn't just for Jerusalem and it's allies, but even it's enemies. Your grace covers our sins, even healing our grudges, so that Egyptians and Babylonians are included in the people of God. We join together with people we've hurt and have forgiven us, and people who have hurt us and whom we've forgiven, and together we will sing and dance and declare: "All my springs are in you!"
Grant that this vision of the future might shape our lives even today. Grant that we might all the more be people who delight in your forgiveness, people who freely offer our forgiveness to others, and people who seek reconciliation and fellowship with people of all the nations. We praise you, Lord, now and forever, in Jesus' name, amen.
