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Psalm 87

The Joy of Living in Zion

Of the Korahites. A Psalm. A Song.

On the holy mount stands the city he founded;
    the Lord loves the gates of Zion
    more than all the dwellings of Jacob.(A)
Glorious things are spoken of you,
    O city of God. Selah(B)

Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon;
    Philistia, too, and Tyre, with Cush—
    “This one was born there,” they say.

And of Zion it shall be said,
    “This one and that one were born in it,”
    for the Most High himself will establish it.(C)
The Lord records, as he registers the peoples,
    “This one was born there.” Selah(D)

Singers and dancers alike say,
    “All my springs are in you.”(E)

Psalm 87

The Glorious City

Heading
By the Sons of Korah. A psalm. A song.

The Holy City

The city he founded is on the holy mountains.
The Lord loves the gates of Zion
    more than all the other dwellings of Jacob. Interlude
Glorious things are spoken about you, O City of God.

Its Citizens

I will register Rahab[a] and Babylon among those who know me.
Look! Philistia and Tyre are there, along with Cush!
Of them I say, “This one was born there in Zion.”[b]
And about Zion it will be said,
“This one and that one were born in her,
and the Most High himself will establish her.”
When he registers the peoples,
the Lord will write: Interlude
“This one was born there.”
Then the singers, as they dance, will sing,
“All my springs are in you.”

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 87:4 Rahab here is a name for Egypt, which is pictured as a sea monster.
  2. Psalm 87:4 The words of them I say and in Zion are added to clarify the antecedents.