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Psalm 87

A song. A psalm of the descendants of Korah.

On the holy mountain
    stands the city founded by the Lord.
He loves the city of Jerusalem
    more than any other city in Israel.[a]
O city of God,
    what glorious things are said of you! Interlude

I will count Egypt[b] and Babylon among those who know me—
    also Philistia and Tyre, and even distant Ethiopia.[c]
    They have all become citizens of Jerusalem!
Regarding Jerusalem[d] it will be said,
    “Everyone enjoys the rights of citizenship there.”
    And the Most High will personally bless this city.
When the Lord registers the nations, he will say,
    “They have all become citizens of Jerusalem.” Interlude

The people will play flutes[e] and sing,
    “The source of my life springs from Jerusalem!”

Footnotes

  1. 87:2 Hebrew He loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. See note on 44:4.
  2. 87:4a Hebrew Rahab, the name of a mythical sea monster that represents chaos in ancient literature. The name is used here as a poetic name for Egypt.
  3. 87:4b Hebrew Cush.
  4. 87:5 Hebrew Zion.
  5. 87:7 Or will dance.

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.”