Psalm 87

When you arrive in Israel at the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, you are greeted with a huge sign, “Welcome Home.” As I passed underneath the sign, I assumed it was meant for the Jews that were returning to their homeland. Ten days later, as I again passed under that sign, I realized I too had been welcomed home. One of the enduring images from my trip was on the Friday evening we drove into Jerusalem. As our bus topped a hill, the gleaming walls of Old Jerusalem, high on Mount Moriah, came into our view. The stereo on the bus began playing The Holy City Hymn and we all sang, 

“Jerusalem! Jerusalem! 

Hark! How the angels sing, 

Hosanna in the highest! 

Hosanna to your King!” 

(The Holy City Hymn. Lyrics: Frederick Weatherly, 1892.   Composer: Michael Maybrick.)

In the Apostles’ Creed when we affirm our belief in “the holy catholic church,” we are affirming the universal Body of Christ. The psalmist was looking into God’s future when all people will live in the presence of God:

“Regarding Jerusalem it will be said,

    “Everyone enjoys the rights of citizenship there.”

    And the Most High will personally bless this city.

 When the Lord registers the nations, he will say,

    “They have all become citizens of Jerusalem.”

                                                                                (v.5-6)

After my visit to Jerusalem, I gladly sing with the psalmist,

“The source of my life springs from Jerusalem!”

                                                                                (v.7)

Sē’lah

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What word or phrase in today’s reading of the Psalms

 attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

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Reading for July 28, 2012          Psalm 88