Psalms 87
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His foundation is in the holy mountains.
2 The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
3 Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.
4 I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.
5 And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her.
6 The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah.
7 As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.
Public Domain KJV text from Wordproject.org
Psalm 87:1-7
Glorious Things of You Are Spoken
A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. A Song.
1On the holy mount stands the city he founded;
2the Lord loves the gates of Zion
more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.
3Glorious things of you are spoken,
O city of God. Selah
4Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon;
behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush—
“This one was born there,” they say.
5And of Zion it shall be said,
“This one and that one were born in her”;
for the Most High himself will establish her.
6The Lord records as he registers the peoples,
“This one was born there.” Selah
7Singers and dancers alike say,
“All my springs are in you.”
ESV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
Psalm 87:1-7
Psalm 87
Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. A song.
1He has founded his city on the holy mountain.
2The Lord loves the gates of Zion
more than all the other dwellings of Jacob.
3Glorious things are said of you,
city of God:
4“I will record Rahab and Babylon
among those who acknowledge me—
Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush—
and will say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’ ”
5Indeed, of Zion it will be said,
“This one and that one were born in her,
and the Most High himself will establish her.”
6The Lord will write in the register of the peoples:
“This one was born in Zion.”
7As they make music they will sing,
“All my fountains are in you.”
NIV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
Commentary
Psalm 87 is a description of the city, New Jerusalem, which is also called Zion. This description includes:
● The foundation is in the holy mountains. Verse 1
● God loves the gates that Zion has. Verse 2
● Glorious things are said about the city. Verse 3
● Sings of joy are in Zion. Verse 7
● The Most High Himself will establish this city. Verse 5
What I find interesting about this Psalm is that God will count the people who are registered to be citizens in the city (verse 6). This alludes to the ancient custom of princes or governors of cities who used to write and preserve a register of all their people. As God registers each person, He declares “This one was born there” (verse 6). The Book of Life is the register of heaven and it contains those who are born again of the Holy Spirit - not born of the flesh or blood. It is the spiritual birth that matters in the eyes of God - not your physical birth to your earthy family, race, or nation. It is being born again into the kingdom of God that counts most.
Laura Hamilton
Retired chemical engineer, Colorado, USA
