Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 87:7

"They that sing as well as they that dance [shall say], All my fountains are in thee." — Psalms 87:7 (ASV)

As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there — literally, “The singers as the players on instruments.” The image is that of a musical procession, where the singers go before, followed by those who play on various instruments of music.

The idea seems to be that when the number of the true friends of God is complete, or when all are enrolled, there will be a triumphal procession; or, they are seen by the psalmist, moving before God as in a triumphal procession. Compare the notes at Isaiah 35:10.

Perhaps the reference is to heaven — the true Zion; to the assembling of all who have been born in Zion, and who have become citizens of the true Zion, the Jerusalem above.

All my springs are in thee — The word translated 'springs' properly means a place of fountains (see the notes at Psalm 84:6), and also a fountain (Genesis 7:11; Genesis 8:2).

It thus becomes an emblem of happiness, of delight, of pleasure; and the idea here is that the psalmist's highest happiness was found in what is here referred to by the word “thee.”

That word may refer either to God or to Zion; but as the subject of the psalm is Zion, it is most natural to suppose that the reference is to Zion. This accords with the sentiment so often found in the Psalms, where the writer expresses his love for Zion, his pleasure in its solemnities, and his desire to abide there as his permanent home. Compare Psalm 23:6; Psalms 84:2–4, Psalms 84:10.

The idea has been beautifully expressed by Dr. Dwight, in his version of Psalm 137:6:

“I love your church, O God;
Her walls before you stand,
Dear as the apple of your eye,
And engraved on your hand.

“If ever my heart forgets
Her welfare or her woe,
Let every joy this heart forsake,
And every grief overflow.

“Beyond my highest joy
I prize her heavenly ways,
Her sweet communion, solemn vows,
Her hymns of love and praise.”