Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Psalm 87
Zion, the City of God
A psalm of the sons of Korah. A song.
1 His foundation is on the holy mountains.(A)
2 The Lord loves the gates of Zion
more than all the dwellings of Jacob.(B)
3 Glorious things are said about you,
city of God.(C)
4 “I will mention those who know Me:
Rahab, Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Cush—
each one was born there.”(D)
5 And it will be said of Zion,
“This one and that one were born in her.”
The Most High Himself will establish her.(E)
6 When He registers the peoples,
the Lord will record,
“This one was born there.”(F)
7 Singers and dancers alike will say,
“My whole source of joy is[a] in you.”(G)
9 Proclaim this among the nations:(A)
Prepare for holy war;(B)
rouse the warriors;(C)
let all the men of war advance and attack!
10 Beat your plows into swords
and your pruning knives into spears.(D)
Let even the weakling say, “I am a warrior.”
11 Come quickly,[a] all you surrounding nations;
gather yourselves.(E)
Bring down Your warriors there, Lord.(F)
12 Let the nations be roused
and come to the Valley of Jehoshaphat,
for there I will sit down
to judge all the surrounding nations.(G)
13 Swing the sickle
because the harvest is ripe.(H)
Come and trample the grapes
because the winepress is full;(I)
the wine vats overflow
because the wickedness of the nations is great.(J)
14 Multitudes, multitudes(K)
in the valley of decision!
For the Day of the Lord is near(L)
in the valley of decision.
15 The sun and moon will grow dark,
and the stars will cease their shining.(M)
16 The Lord will roar from Zion(N)
and raise His voice from Jerusalem;(O)
heaven and earth will shake.(P)
But the Lord will be a refuge for His people,(Q)
a stronghold for the Israelites.(R)
About the Elders
5 Therefore, as a fellow elder and witness(A) to the sufferings of the Messiah and also a participant in the glory about to be revealed,(B) I exhort the elders among you: 2 Shepherd God’s flock among you,(C) not overseeing[a] out of compulsion but freely, according to God’s will;[b] not for the money but eagerly; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd(D) appears, you will receive the unfading crown(E) of glory.
5 In the same way, you younger men, be subject to the elders. And all of you clothe yourselves with[c] humility toward one another, because
6 Humble(G) yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand(H) of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time,[e] 7 casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.(I)
Conclusion
8 Be serious!(J) Be alert!(K) Your adversary the Devil(L) is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. 9 Resist him(M) and be firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.
10 Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory(N) in Christ Jesus, will personally[f] restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little.[g] 11 The dominion[h] belongs to Him forever.[i] Amen.
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