Attributed commentary excerpt
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 87:7
A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.
Notes on the Whole Bible
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · 19th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.
As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there - literally, “The singers as the players on instruments.” The image is that of a musical procession, where the singers go before, followed by those who play on various instruments of music. The idea seems to be that when the number of the true friends of God shall be made up, or shall all be enrolled, there will be a triumphal procession; or, they are seen by the psalmist, moving before God as in a triumphal procession. Compare the notes at Isaiah 35:10. Perhaps the reference is to heaven - the true Zion; to the assembling of all who shall have been born in Zion, and who shall have become citizens of the true Zion, the Jerusalem above. All my springs are in thee - The word rendered springs means properly a place of fountains (see the notes at Psalms 84:6), and also a fountain, Genesis 7:11; Genesis 8:2. It thus becomes an emblem of happiness; of delight; of pleasure; and the ideal here is that the highest happiness of the psalmist was found in what is here referred to by the word “thee.” That word may refer either to God or to Zion; but as the subject of the psalm is Zion, it is most natural to suppose that the reference is to that. Thus it accords with the sentiment so often found in the Psalms, where the writer expresses his love for Zion; his pleasure in its solemnities; his desire to abide there as his permanent home. Compare Psalms 23:6; Psalms 84:2-4, Psalms 84:10. The idea has been beautifully expressed by Dr. Dwight, in his version of Psalms 137:6 : “I love thy church, O God; Her walls before thee stand, Dear as the apple of thine eye, And graven on thy hand. “If e’er my heart forget Her welfare or her woe, Let every joy this heart forsake, And every grief o’erflow. “Beyond my highest joy I prize her heavenly ways. Her sweet communion, solemn vows, Her hymns of love and praise.” return to 'Top of Page' Footnotes: Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliographical Information Barnes, Albert. "Commentary on Psalms 87". "Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnb/psalms-87.html. 1870. StudyLight.org © 2001-2026 Powered by Lightspeed Technology
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