Thoughts on Christian Living Book #2 by Dr. W. A. Dillard - HTML preview
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NOTES ON PSALM 87
“His foundation is in the holy mountains. 2 The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. 3 Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah. 4 I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there. 5 And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her. 6 The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah. 7 As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.”
WORD STUDY
Verse One: “Foundation” is a feminine word appearing as such only
here. It is synonymous with “City of God (Elohim)” in verse 3 which is also spoken of in the feminine gender, later. Verse One may be translated: His foundation is in the mountains (governance) of holiness. Verse Four: “Make mention” is in Hebrew “Azkar” which means, “I will cause to be remembered as among those who know me.”
Verse Seven: This is a most difficult verse. The Septuagint differs entirely from the KJV or other English versions. It reads, “The dwelling of all within thee is as the dwelling of those that rejoice.” The idea presented by the verse in Hebrew is: “In Zion, all are praising, in Zion there are all the joys and happiness.”
EXPANDED TRANSLATION
“His foundation is in the governance of holiness. 2.The LORD (Yahweh) loves the gates (admitting opening) of Zion (the city of God) more than all the dwellings of Jacob. 3. Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God [Elohim] (foundational Zion). Selah (just think about that).
4. I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia, this man was born there. 5. And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her; and the highest Himself has founded her. 6. The LORD shall count when He writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah. 7. In Zion, all are
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