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A song of praise from the Korah family.

87 The Lord built his city on the holy hills.
    He loves the gates of Zion more than any other place in Israel.
Wonderful things are said about you, City of God. Selah

God says, “Some of my people live in Egypt[a] and Babylon.
    Some of them were born in Philistia, Tyre, and even Ethiopia.”
But about Zion he says,
    “I know each and every person born there.”
    It is the city built by God Most High.
The Lord keeps a list of all his people,
    and he knows where each of them was born. Selah

At the festivals, people will dance and sing,
    “All good things come from Zion.”

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 87:4 Egypt Literally, “Rahab.” This name means the “Dragon.” It became a popular name for Egypt.

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.”