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A psalm by the descendants of Korah. A song.

The Holy City for All People

87 God’s[a] foundation is in the holy mountains.
The Lord loves the gates of Zion
    more than the dwellings of Jacob.
Glorious things are spoken about you,
    city of God.
Interlude

I will mention Rahab and Babylon
    among those who acknowledge me—
including Philistia, Tyre, and Ethiopia[b]
    “This one was born there,” they say.[c]
Indeed, about Zion it will be said:
    “More than one person[d] was born in it,” and
        “The Most High himself did[e] it.”
The Lord will record,
    as he registers the peoples,[f]
        “This one was born there.”
Interlude

Then singers, as they play their instruments,[g] will declare,
    “All my roots[h] are in you.”

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 87:1 Lit. His
  2. Psalm 87:4 Lit. Cush
  3. Psalm 87:4 The Heb. lacks they say
  4. Psalm 87:5 Lit. a man and a man
  5. Psalm 87:5 Or secured
  6. Psalm 87:6 Lit. record, in a registry of people
  7. Psalm 87:7 Or singers and flute players
  8. Psalm 87:7 Lit. springs

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.”