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.


By sons of Korah. -- A Psalm, a song. His foundation `is' in holy mountains.

Jehovah is loving the gates of Zion Above all the tabernacles of Jacob.

Honourable things are spoken in Thee, O city of God. Selah.

I mention Rahab and Babel to those knowing Me, Lo, Philistia, and Tyre, with Cush! This `one' was born there.

And of Zion it is said: Each one was born in her, And He, the Most High, doth establish her.

Jehovah doth recount in the describing of the peoples, `This `one' was born there.' Selah.

Singers also as players on instruments, 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/ylt/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/ylt/psalms/chapter-88">Psalms 88</a> that follows.