Psalm chapter 87
English Standard Version
1 On the holy mount stands the city he founded; 2the Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob. 3 Glorious things of you are spoken, O city of God. Selah 4Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush — "This one was born there," they say. 5And of Zion it shall be said, "This one and that one were born in her"; for the Most High himself will establish her. 6The Lord records as he registers the peoples, "This one was born there." Selah 7 Singers and dancers alike say, "All my springs are in you."
New International Version
2The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the other dwellings of Jacob. 3Glorious things are said of you, city of God: 4"I will record Rahab and Babylon among those who acknowledge me— Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush — and will say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’ " 5Indeed, of Zion it will be said, "This one and that one were born in her, and the Most High himself will establish her."
New American Standard Bible
1His foundation is in the holy mountains. 2The Lord loves the gates of Zion More than all the other dwelling places of Jacob. 3Glorious things are spoken of you, City of God. Selah 4'I shall mention Rahab and Babylon among those who know Me; Behold, Philistia and Tyre with Cush: ‘This one was born there.’?' 5But of Zion it will be said, 'This one and that one were born in her'; And the Most High Himself will establish her. 6The Lord will count when He registers the peoples, 'This one was born there.' Selah 7Then those who sing as well as those who play the flutes will say, 'All my springs of joy are in you.'
Christian Standard Bible
1A psalm of the sons of Korah. A song. The city he founded is on the holy mountains. 2The Lord loves Zion’s city gates more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
New Living Translation
1On the holy mountain stands the city founded by the Lord. 2He loves the city of Jerusalem more than any other city in Israel.
King James Version
New King James Version
1{A Psalm of the sons of Korah. A Song.} His foundation is in the holy mountains. 2 The Lord loves the gates of Zion More than all the dwellings of Jacob.
What does Psalm chapter 87 mean?
The "Sons of Korah" were probably a group of important temple musicians during the early years of the nation of Israel. The song recorded here gives a glowing endorsement of Jerusalem: the city God founded and developed as the capital of His chosen people (Zechariah 1:16–17). The psalmist may be looking ahead to the end times when Christ rules from Zion. Or this may be the world reacting in awe to the defeat of an Assyrian army (2 Kings 19:35–36) and responding accordingly (Psalm 87:1–3).In the end times, every nation will eventually submit to the rule of Christ (Psalm 2; Philippians 2:9–11; Revelation 20:4). Those who come to the Lord in faith, no matter their origin, will be adopted in the family of God (Galatians 3:26–29; Revelation 7:9). Babylon, to the north, was the world's reigning superpower at the time. Egypt—called Rahab here (Isaiah 30:7)—was the most powerful nation of the south. In between were Israel's various rivals and neighbors. The psalmist looks forward to when those people groups all come to the Lord to acknowledge Him as the source of all blessings (Psalm 87:4–7).
