The Privileges of Citizenship in Zion.

A Psalm of the sons of Korah. A Song.

87 His (A)foundation is in the holy mountains.
The Lord (B)loves the gates of Zion
More than all the other dwelling places of Jacob.
(C)Glorious things are spoken of you,
(D)City of God. Selah
“I shall mention [a](E)Rahab and Babylon [b]among those who know Me;
Behold, Philistia and (F)Tyre with [c](G)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 (H)establish her.
The Lord will count when He (I)registers the peoples,
“This one was born there.” Selah
Then those who (J)sing as well as those who [d](K)play the flutes will say,
“All my (L)springs of joy are in you.”

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 87:4 I.e., Egypt, as a sea monster; not to be confused with Rahab in Joshua 2
  2. Psalm 87:4 Or as
  3. Psalm 87:4 Or Ethiopia
  4. Psalm 87:7 Or dance

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