Psalm 87:7 – “As they make music they will sing, ‘All my fountains are in you.’”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
Psalm 87:7 concludes this beautiful psalm with a celebration. It paints a picture of joyful worship, where people are making music and singing. The phrase, “All my fountains are in you,” is a poetic expression of finding complete satisfaction and joy in God. In ancient times, fountains were crucial for life, providing water for drinking, farming, and sustaining the community. Here, “fountains” symbolize the source of life, refreshment, and blessing.
The psalmist is saying that all the life-giving blessings one could ever need are found in God, specifically in Zion, which represents God’s presence. This verse is a declaration that God alone is the true source of all that sustains, refreshes, and brings joy to His people. The worshipers are celebrating the fact that in God, they find everything they need.
Historical Context
In the time when this psalm was written, Jerusalem (Zion) was the center of worship for the Israelites. The temple in Jerusalem was where the people gathered to encounter God, offer sacrifices, and celebrate His goodness. Festivals and times of worship were filled with singing, music, and dancing as the people expressed their joy and gratitude to God.
The imagery of fountains would have been particularly meaningful to people living in a dry, arid region where water was precious. For them, a fountain represented life, abundance, and the ability to thrive. By saying, “All my fountains are in you,” the psalmist is using a powerful metaphor to describe God as the ultimate source of life and blessing.
Theological Implications
Theologically, this verse emphasizes that God is the ultimate source of life and joy. Just as fountains provide water to sustain physical life, God provides everything needed for spiritual life. This verse speaks to the deep satisfaction that comes from being in relationship with God. It’s a reminder that true fulfillment and joy cannot be found in worldly pursuits, but only in God Himself.
The phrase “All my fountains are in you” also implies that God’s blessings are abundant and never run dry. For those who belong to God, He is the source of every good thing—both in this life and in eternity. It’s a call to look to God as the provider of all our needs, both physical and spiritual.
Literary Analysis
Psalm 87:7 uses poetic language to convey a sense of overflowing joy and celebration. The imagery of fountains symbolizes abundance, refreshment, and life. The reference to music and singing creates a scene of communal worship, where people are united in praising God.
The repetition of the phrase “All my fountains are in you” serves to emphasize that God is the source of all blessings. It’s a beautiful way to close the psalm, highlighting the joy that comes from being in God’s presence. The literary flow moves from celebrating Zion’s significance to a joyful acknowledgment that all life’s true blessings are found in God.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- Jeremiah 2:13 – “My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.”
- John 4:13-14 – Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
- Revelation 22:1 – “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.”
These cross-references emphasize the theme of God as the source of living water and spiritual life.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, Psalm 87:7 is a reminder that true satisfaction and joy are found in God alone. In a world that often encourages us to seek fulfillment in material things, achievements, or relationships, this verse calls us back to the truth that only God can truly satisfy our deepest needs.
The phrase “All my fountains are in you” challenges us to examine where we are seeking our joy and fulfillment. Are we turning to temporary sources that leave us empty, or are we drawing from the eternal well of God’s presence? This verse encourages believers to anchor their lives in God, trusting Him to provide all they need.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
Psalm 87:7 reflects God’s deep love for His people. God’s desire is to be the source of our joy and refreshment, providing us with everything we need. This verse shows that God doesn’t just want to give us a little bit of blessing; He wants to be the overflowing fountain of all that is good in our lives.
God’s love is seen in His willingness to be our source, our sustainer, and the one who fills us with joy. By declaring that all our fountains are in God, the psalmist acknowledges that God’s love is more than enough to satisfy every longing and need.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of the imagery in Psalm 87:7. In John 4:14, Jesus speaks to the woman at the well, offering her “living water” that will satisfy her thirst forever. Jesus is the source of eternal life, the fountain that never runs dry.
Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus made it possible for believers to have access to the true “fountains” of God’s grace, love, and joy. In John 7:37-38, Jesus invites everyone, saying, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” This is a direct connection to the promise of God’s overflowing blessings that we see in Psalm 87.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- In what ways are you currently seeking fulfillment in things other than God?
- How can you draw closer to God and experience Him as the source of all your joy and satisfaction?
- What does it mean for you to say, “All my fountains are in you” in your personal life?
- How can you incorporate the joy and gratitude expressed in this verse into your own times of worship?
- What are some practical steps you can take to rely more on God as your source of strength and joy?
These questions can help guide deeper reflection on how Psalm 87:7 applies to your life and how you can experience God as the true source of all your blessings.