Psalm 87 reminds me of the old expression, “Home is where the heart is“. It is interesting that most people immediately picture a place in their mind when they hear the word “home”. Many times it is not the place where we currently reside, but a childhood home, or the place that holds special memories. It is the place that the foundation of our life was built. This psalm mentions Zion, the mountain in Jerusalem, and also the people that call Zion home. It begins, “He has set His foundation on the holy mountain“. This was the location of the Temple and the one place for atonement, “the Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob“. The writer calls it the “city of God“. Jerusalem and the Temple specifically was the place where God met with Man. It contained all the implements that symbolized God’s perfect holiness and His mercy. To the Jew it was the place where sin was judged. The psalmist adds, “I will record Rahab and Babylon among those who acknowledge me Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush… This one was born in Zion“. I believe this is recognition that all would be called to Salvation. Remember, even in the early church they believed the Gospel was only for the Jews. Acts chapter 10 changed that, “the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles“. The psalm concludes with hope for those not born a Jew, “The Lord will write… ‘This one was born in Zion’… they make music they will sing“. The Spirit of God can rebuild your life’s foundation and create in you a yearning to be born again.
Psalm 88 presents the other end of life. We read of the hopelessness of disease and suffering. It is a song of despair. It begins, “Lord, the God who saves me… turn Your ear to my cry… my soul is full of trouble… a man without strength… I am set apart with the dead… whom You remember no more“. We are given a picture of a man left for dead, perhaps surrounded by others already gone. He is in the darkest place possible, “in the lowest pit… the darkest depths… I am confined and cannot escape… my eyes are dim with grief“. He asks a question filled with horror, “Do You show Your wonders to the dead?“. This is the most important question anyone can ask. In youth and health and vigor we are busy with activities and priorities. Too often we put off decisions that have eternal significance. Is there such a thing as too late?
He asks, “Do those who are dead rise up and praise You?” and “Are Your wonders known in the place of darkness?“. Luke chapter 16 tells of a rich man that died in his sins and from his torment cries out to Abraham begging, “send Lazarus to my father’s house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment… but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent“. It seems many more people believe in heaven than in hell. The psalm continues, “But I cry to you for help, O Lord… why… do You reject me and hide Your face from me?“. The psalm ends with complete hopelessness, “terrors… surround me… they have completely engulfed me… You have taken my companions and loved ones… the darkness is my closest friend“. It sounds remarkably similar to the story of Job, but recall that Job did not end in sorrow, but elation because the Lord did answer Job’s prayer. I believe until our last breath, there is hope for reconciliation with God. “Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him” (Hebrews 9:27). Only Jesus can make the dead alive! “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone” (2 Corinthians 5:17). I hope to see you at home!