John Calvin Commentary Psalms 87:3

"Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah" — Psalms 87:3 (ASV)

Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God! The reading literally is, That which is spoken in you are glorious things. We must consider the design of the prophet, or rather the object of the Spirit of God, speaking by the mouth of the prophet. From the low and despised condition of the whole people, from the many and terrible enemies who pressed hard upon them on all sides, from the small number who had sufficient courage to surmount the obstacles in their way, from the new and unexpected changes which were daily springing up, and from the danger that the state of affairs, gradually sinking more and more into decay, would eventually become desperate, it was difficult to cherish the hope that the holy city would be restored.

So that despair would not overcome the hearts of the faithful and cause them to falter, the supporting and comforting consideration is set before them: that the Lord has spoken differently concerning the future condition of the Church.

Their attention, undoubtedly, is called away from the present state of affairs and directed to the promises that inspired them with hope for the wonderful glory with which she would be adorned.

Therefore, although nothing appeared to the senses or reason that would greatly rejoice the heart, yet the prophet wanted them to be encouraged by the word to stand, as it were, on a watchtower, waiting patiently for the fulfillment of what God had promised.

In this way, they were admonished to:

1. Direct their attention to the ancient prophecies and to remember especially those contained in Isaiah from the fortieth chapter (Isaiah 40) to the end of the book.
2. Listen to the servants of God, who at that time preached the kingdom of Jesus Christ.

From this it follows that a right judgment of the Church's happiness cannot be formed, unless we estimate it according to the standard of God’s word.