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In Praise of Jerusalem[a]

87 The Lord built his city on the sacred hill;[b]
    more than any other place in Israel
    he loves the city of Jerusalem.
Listen, city of God,
    to the wonderful things he says about you:

“I will include Egypt and Babylonia
    when I list the nations that obey me;
the people of Philistia, Tyre, and Ethiopia[c]
    I will number among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.”

Of Zion it will be said
    that all nations belong there
    and that the Almighty will make her strong.
The Lord will write a list of the peoples
    and include them all as citizens of Jerusalem.
They dance and sing,
    “In Zion is the source of all our blessings.”

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 87:1 HEBREW TITLE: A psalm by the clan of Korah; a song.
  2. Psalm 87:1 See 2.6.
  3. Psalm 87:4 Hebrew Cush: Cush is the ancient name of the extensive territory south of the First Cataract of the Nile River. This region was called Ethiopia in Graeco-Roman time, and included within its borders most of modern Sudan and some of present-day Ethiopia (Abyssinia).

The Privileges of Citizenship in Zion.

A Psalm of the sons of Korah. A Song.

87 His foundation is on the holy mountain.

The Lord loves the gates of Zion
More than all the dwellings of Jacob (Israel).

Glorious things are spoken of you,
O city of God [Jerusalem]. Selah.

“I will mention Rahab (Egypt) and Babylon among those who know Me—
Behold, Philistia and Tyre with Ethiopia (Cush)—
‘This one was born there.’”

But 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 count, when He registers the peoples,
“This one was born there.” Selah.

The singers as well as the players of flutes will say,
“All my springs and sources of joy are in you [Jerusalem, city of God].”

87 His foundation is in the holy mountains.

The Lord loveth 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 to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.

And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her.

The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah.

As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.