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Psalm 87

The Glorious City

Heading
By the Sons of Korah. A psalm. A song.

The Holy City

The city he founded is on the holy mountains.
The Lord loves the gates of Zion
    more than all the other dwellings of Jacob. Interlude
Glorious things are spoken about you, O City of God.

Its Citizens

I will register Rahab[a] and Babylon among those who know me.
Look! Philistia and Tyre are there, along with Cush!
Of them I say, “This one was born there in Zion.”[b]
And about Zion it will be said,
“This one and that one were born in her,
and the Most High himself will establish her.”
When he registers the peoples,
the Lord will write: Interlude
“This one was born there.”
Then the singers, as they dance, will sing,
“All my springs are in you.”

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 87:4 Rahab here is a name for Egypt, which is pictured as a sea monster.
  2. Psalm 87:4 The words of them I say and in Zion are added to clarify the antecedents.

Psalm 87

Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. A song.

He has founded his city on the holy mountain.(A)
The Lord loves the gates of Zion(B)
    more than all the other dwellings of Jacob.

Glorious things are said of you,
    city of God:[a](C)
“I will record Rahab[b](D) and Babylon
    among those who acknowledge me—
Philistia(E) too, and Tyre(F), along with Cush[c]
    and will say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’”[d](G)
Indeed, of Zion it will be said,
    “This one and that one were born in her,
    and the Most High himself will establish her.”
The Lord will write in the register(H) of the peoples:
    “This one was born in Zion.”

As they make music(I) they will sing,
    “All my fountains(J) are in you.”

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 87:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 6.
  2. Psalm 87:4 A poetic name for Egypt
  3. Psalm 87:4 That is, the upper Nile region
  4. Psalm 87:4 Or “I will record concerning those who acknowledge me: / ‘This one was born in Zion.’ / Hear this, Rahab and Babylon, / and you too, Philistia, Tyre and Cush.”