Psalm 87:3 Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God. Selah. I. THE DESIGNATION. 1. A city, well-built and fortified. 2. It is the city of God. (1) He is its Architect and Builder. (2) He dwells in it. (3) He reigns over it. II. THE EXCELLENCES ASCRIBED TO THIS CITY. 1. Its purity. There is no guilt there; for "the people that dwell therein are forgiven their iniquities." There is no defilement there; for "they have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." There are no remains of transgression there; for "they are without fault before the throne of God." The place itself is holy, and all who dwell in it are holy, in every possible respect. Their actions, conversation, desires, and thoughts, are all holy. Nor is it merely by the absence of sin the city is distinguished. There all the fruits of righteousness abound, and in every member of its glorified community the Spirit takes up His abode, filling him with light, and life, and love. 2. Its magnificence. There is the throne of God and of the Lamb. If He were not there, it would be like a city wrapped in night; but because He is there, it shines with the brightness of perpetual day. Hence He is the object on which all eyes gaze. 3. Its opulence. Universal plenty. No toil, no anxious cares, nor disappointed hopes. Its inhabitants have for their portion God Himself, who is all in all. They are His people, and He is their God, and from the boundless resources of His nature they are ever supplied with the richest blessings. 4. Its permanence. It is an "abiding city"; "a city that hath foundations"; "a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens"; "an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away." III. PRACTICAL LESSONS. 1. The necessity of personal holiness. 2. Learn, while dwelling in the vale below, to live as citizens of heaven. 3. Learn what estimate to put upon the things of time and sense. They are evanescent as the vapour which appeareth for a little time and then passeth away. There is nothing certain but death; there is nothing true but God; there is nothing permanent but heaven. (Thornley Smith.) Parallel Verses KJV: Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.WEB: Glorious things are spoken about you, city of God. Selah. |
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