The Lord Shall Count
Psalm 87:6
The LORD shall count, when he writes up the people, that this man was born there. Selah.


There shall be a Divine census, a numbering of the people by God, such as never yet has taken place. Nothing in Hezekiah's reign, the probable date of this psalm, ever fulfilled the glorious promises here given. But it shall be when Christ shall come again. Consider -

I. THE FACT OF SUCH "WRITING UP" OF THE PEOPLE.

1. It shall be national. (Ver. 4.)

2. But individual also. The counting will be of this one, and that, and the other; there will be no passing in a crowd.

3. It is attested by many witnesses - Scripture, reason, history, conscience.

II. ITS PURPOSE. The gathering together of his own true people; the making up of his jewels; the manifestation of the sons of God. This is not done now, but shall be.

III. THE WRITER. The Lord himself.

1. He only can really know where to find his people; they are often found in strange places (ver. 4).

2. He only can be trusted. Bigotry, superstition, dislike, would shut many out. Partiality, fondness, love of sin, would let many in. God alone can judge.

IV. THE NAMES IN IT. Those only who have been "born" of God. Shall we be there? - S.C.



Parallel Verses
KJV: The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah.

WEB: Yahweh will count, when he writes up the peoples, "This one was born there." Selah.




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