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A psalm of the Sons of Korah. A song.

87 The Lord has built his city
    on the holy mountain.
He loves the city of Zion
    more than all the other places
    where the people of Jacob live.
City of God,
    the Lord says glorious things about you.
He says, “I will include Egypt and Babylon
    in a list of nations who recognize me as king.
I will also include Philistia and Tyre, along with Cush.
    I will say about them, ‘They were born in Zion.’ ”

Certainly it will be said about Zion,
    “This nation and that nation were born in it.
    The Most High God himself will make it secure.”
Here is what the Lord will write in his list of the nations.
    “Each of them was born in Zion.”
As they make music they will sing,
    “Zion, all our blessings come from you.”

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.”