The Fountain of Life

Psalm 87:7

    There is a fountain of life. No, it is not the one the world seeks and wants. But in Psalm 87:7 we read of it.  The psalmist declares, "As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee." The word here translated as springs is often translated as fountains. And "shall be there'' refers to Zion, the city of God, where there shall be these people from all those outside of Israel. In Zion shall be people from all nations, tongues, and tribes.

    But what we ought to note today is that all in that city of God, both the singers and players on instruments, have their fountain of life in God. Our versification expresses it thus (PRC Psalter):

    When the Lord shall count the nations,
    Sons and daughters he shall see
    Born to endless life in Zion,
    And their joyful song shall be,
    "Blessed Zion 
    All our fountains arc in thee."

    Out of Christ flows all our spiritual life. From Him, as from a deep well that will never run dry, comes a life that will cause us to praise God, some of us with singing and others to enrich the music with instruments. What we saw two days ago is true, namely, glorious things are spoken of that city. But we must not overlook the fact that these glorious things are spoken by the citizens of the new Jerusalem.

    What we begin to sing now, and will sing perfectly when Christ brings us with body and soul into this city of God is that all our blessedness comes from God. He, in Christ, is the fountain, and therefore our song shall be everlasting praise to God. There in that new Jerusalem will Isaiah 43:2 be fulfilled:  "This people have I formed for Myself; they shall show forth My praise."

    What a beautiful everlasting day it is of harmonious singing of such a beautiful melody of praise to God, by a holy choir and holy players on instruments, and composed of people out of every nation, tongue, and tribe, selected by God, so that glorious things are spoken of Him and to Him. For it is the city of God, the city He built through His Son.

Read: Revelation 4 
Psalter versification: #238:3

Meditations on the Heidelberg Catechism

Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
I Samuel 17 
I Samuel 18:1-4 
John 8:21-30 
Psalm 111 
Proverbs 15:11

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Quote for Reflection:

 “…vain thoughts will be more ready with us, unless the Word dwell richly in our hearts….The mind works upon what it finds in itself, as a mill grinds whatever is put into it—chaff or corn. Therefore, if we would prevent evil thoughts and musings of vanity all the day long, we must hide the Word in our hearts.”  --Thomas Manton