Psalms 87:3

Psalms 87:3

“Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.” This verse personifies Zion as a city celebrated for its glory among nations and within the world of God’s people. The phrase “glorious things are spoken of thee” indicates that Zion’s reputation arises from God’s acts—his protection, blessing, and presence among his people. The term Selah invites contemplation, signaling a pause to reflect on the weight of what has just been said. The verse affirms that Zion’s beauty and significance come not from human architecture or power but from God’s favor, making the city a beacon of divine activity in history. The wider context in Psalms 87 reinforces Zion as the place where God’s people experience identity and mission.

This verse centers on the public witness of God’s chosen city. It frames Zion as a site of divine glory that becomes a platform for praise and testimony. Theologically, it reinforces the idea that God’s presence transforms spaces into places of blessing, making them worthy of being spoken about across generations. This is echoed in later biblical imagery where believers, as spiritual descendants of Zion, carry forward a witness of God’s faithfulness in hostile or foreign contexts. It also points to the universal scope of God’s redemptive plan: the blessing of Zion extends to all nations through God’s gracious acts.

Application today includes cultivating a life that becomes a “city of God” in everyday settings:

- Let your home, workplace, and neighborhood reflect God’s glory through honesty, generosity, and mercy.

- Share stories of God’s faithfulness with others, becoming a living testimony of “glorious things.”

- Invite others to experience church, worship, and community life where God’s presence is anticipated.

- Practice hospitality that makes others feel invited into God’s story.

Cross-References: Psalm 46:4–5; Psalm 48:2–3; Isaiah 2:3; Romans 9:23; Revelation 21:23