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Foreign Nations Come to Worship in Jerusalem

Of the sons of Korah. A psalm. A song.[a]

87 His foundation is on the holy mountains.
Yahweh loves the gates of Zion
more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
Glorious things are spoken about[b] you,
O city of God. Selah
I will record[c] those who know me
in Rahab[d] and Babylon,
behold in Philistia and Tyre with Cush,
“This one was born there.”
But with respect to Zion it shall be said,
Each one[e] was born in her,”
for the Most High himself will establish her.
Yahweh will record in writing the peoples,
“This one was born there.” Selah
And while dancing, singers will sing,
“All my springs are in you.”

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 87:1 The Hebrew Bible counts the superscription as the first verse of the psalm
  2. Psalm 87:3 Or “in”
  3. Psalm 87:4 Or “mention”
  4. Psalm 87:4 That is, Egypt; compare Isa 30:7
  5. Psalm 87:5 Literally “A man and a man”

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