Verse
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

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

1Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. A song. He has founded his city on the holy mountain.
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."
6The Lord will write in the register of the peoples: "This one was born in Zion." 7As they make music they will sing, "All my fountains are in you."
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.
3Glorious things are said about you, city of God. Selah 4"I will make a record of those who know me: Rahab, Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Cush— each one was born there." 5And it will be said of Zion, "This one and that one were born in her." The Most High himself will establish her.
6When he registers the peoples, the Lord will record, "This one was born there." Selah 7Singers and dancers alike will say, "My whole source of joy is in you."
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.
3O city of God, what glorious things are said of you! Interlude
4I will count Egypt and Babylon among those who know me — also Philistia and Tyre, and even distant Ethiopia. They have all become citizens of Jerusalem! 5Regarding Jerusalem it will be said, 'Everyone enjoys the rights of citizenship there.' And the Most High will personally bless this city.
6When the Lord registers the nations, he will say, 'They have all become citizens of Jerusalem.' Interlude
7The people will play flutes and sing, 'The source of my life springs from Jerusalem!'
King James Version

1A Psalm or Song for the sons of Korah. His foundation is in the holy mountains.
2The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
3Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.
4I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.
5And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her.
6The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah.
7As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.
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.
3 Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God! Selah
4“I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to those who know Me; Behold, O Philistia and Tyre, with Ethiopia: ‘This one was born there.’ ” 5And of Zion it will be said, “This one and that one were born in her; And the Most High Himself shall establish her.”
6The Lord will record, When He registers the peoples: “This one was born there.” Selah
7Both the singers and the players on instruments say, “All my springs are in you.”

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).
Expand
Expand
Expand
What is the Gospel?
Download the app: