Charles H. Spurgeon on Psalms 87:3

1. Observe, that a city is not like a flower, a tree, or a plant —something that grows out of the earth, and is nourished from the earth, and dependent wholly on its juices. It is an artificial thing, constructed by wisdom and raised by power, as it was designed by genius and forethought.

2. A city upon earth is surrounded generally by walls.

3. Jerusalem (the most celebrated of cities, from which this figure is obviously drawn) was built upon the brow of a hill, an extremely conspicuous and beautiful object.

4. In a city there are various buildings, and structures of various shapes, materials and value: illustrate by the different denominations, &c.

5. A city has municipal laws.

6. It has also trade, traffic, &c.

7. The figure, as applied to the Church of Christ, involves the idea of safety or security, honour, &c.

8. There is also the idea of fewness. —John Cumming, 1843.