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Psalm 87

A song of the sons of Korah.

He laid His foundation on the sacred mountains.
The Eternal loves Zion’s gates;
    He prefers it over any other place where Jacob’s descendants make their homes.
Spectacular things are said about you,
    O Jerusalem, city of the True God.

[pause][a]

God says, “I tell of some who know Me in Egypt[b] and Babylon;
    behold, My people are in Philistia, Tyre, and Ethiopia[c] too:
    ‘This person was born there.’”

It is said of Zion,
    “This person and that person were born in her.”
    The Most High God has established that city and makes her strong.
When keeping track of His people, the Eternal surely notices,
    “This one was born in Zion.”

[pause]

Those who sing and those who dance will say together,
    “All my fountains of joy are in You.”

Footnotes

  1. 87:3 Literally, selah, likely a musical direction from a Hebrew root meaning “to lift up”
  2. 87:4 Hebrew, Rahab, a poetic reference to Egypt
  3. 87:4 Hebrew, Cush

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.”