Psalm 87 - Glorious Things Spoken of the City of God

A brief psalm declaring Zion as the birthplace of nations under God.

Psalms 87: Glorious Things of the City of God

At just seven verses, Psalm 87 is one of the shortest entries in the Psalms overview, yet it makes a bold claim: foreign nations like Rahab, Babylon, and Ethiopia are numbered among those born in Zion. It follows the prayer for mercy in Psalms 86 with a vision of a city open to outsiders.


His foundation is in the holy mountains.

Jehovah loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.

Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.

I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon as among those who know me. Behold, Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia: This man was born there.

Yea, of Zion it shall be said, this and that man was born in her, and the Most High himself will establish her.

Jehovah will count when he writes up the peoples: This man was born there. Selah.

Those who sing as well as those who dance shall say, All my fountains are in thee.

The closing line, 'all my springs are in thee,' recalls the imagery of God as the source of life found in <a href="/bible/acv/psalms/chapter-36/9">Psalms 36:9</a>. Its picture of singers and instrument players celebrating in Zion sets up the far darker tone of <a href="/bible/acv/psalms/chapter-88">Psalms 88</a> that follows.