Psalm 87

Zion, the City of God

A psalm of the sons of Korah. A song.

His foundation is on the holy mountains.(A)
The Lord loves the gates of Zion
more than all the dwellings of Jacob.(B)
Glorious things are said about you,
city of God.(C)Selah

“I will mention those who know Me:
Rahab, Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Cush—
each one was born there.”(D)
And it will be said of Zion,
“This one and that one were born in her.”
The Most High Himself will establish her.(E)
When He registers the peoples,
the Lord will record,
“This one was born there.”(F)Selah
Singers and dancers alike will say,
“My whole source of joy is[a] in you.”(G)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 87:7 Lit “All my springs, are

A psalm by the descendants of Korah. A song.

The Holy City for All People

87 God’s[a] foundation is in the holy mountains.
The Lord loves the gates of Zion
    more than the dwellings of Jacob.
Glorious things are spoken about you,
    city of God.
Interlude

I will mention Rahab and Babylon
    among those who acknowledge me—
including Philistia, Tyre, and Ethiopia[b]
    “This one was born there,” they say.[c]
Indeed, about Zion it will be said:
    “More than one person[d] was born in it,” and
        “The Most High himself did[e] it.”
The Lord will record,
    as he registers the peoples,[f]
        “This one was born there.”
Interlude

Then singers, as they play their instruments,[g] will declare,
    “All my roots[h] are in you.”

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 87:1 Lit. His
  2. Psalm 87:4 Lit. Cush
  3. Psalm 87:4 The Heb. lacks they say
  4. Psalm 87:5 Lit. a man and a man
  5. Psalm 87:5 Or secured
  6. Psalm 87:6 Lit. record, in a registry of people
  7. Psalm 87:7 Or singers and flute players
  8. Psalm 87:7 Lit. springs