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A Psalm by the sons of Korah; a Song.

87 His foundation is in the holy mountains.
    Yahweh loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
Glorious things are spoken about you, city of God. Selah.
I will record Rahab[a] and Babylon among those who acknowledge me.
    Behold, Philistia, Tyre, and also Ethiopia:
    “This one was born there.”
Yes, of Zion it will be said, “This one and that one was born in her;”
    the Most High himself will establish her.
Yahweh will count, when he writes up the peoples,
    “This one was born there.” Selah.
Those who sing as well as those who dance say,
    “All my springs are in you.”

Footnotes

  1. 87:4 Rahab is a reference to Egypt.

Psalm 87

A song. A psalm of the descendants of Korah.

On the holy mountain
    stands the city founded by the Lord.
He loves the city of Jerusalem
    more than any other city in Israel.[a]
O city of God,
    what glorious things are said of you! Interlude

I will count Egypt[b] and Babylon among those who know me—
    also Philistia and Tyre, and even distant Ethiopia.[c]
    They have all become citizens of Jerusalem!
Regarding Jerusalem[d] it will be said,
    “Everyone enjoys the rights of citizenship there.”
    And the Most High will personally bless this city.
When the Lord registers the nations, he will say,
    “They have all become citizens of Jerusalem.” Interlude

The people will play flutes[e] and sing,
    “The source of my life springs from Jerusalem!”

Footnotes

  1. 87:2 Hebrew He loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. See note on 44:4.
  2. 87:4a Hebrew Rahab, the name of a mythical sea monster that represents chaos in ancient literature. The name is used here as a poetic name for Egypt.
  3. 87:4b Hebrew Cush.
  4. 87:5 Hebrew Zion.
  5. 87:7 Or will dance.