Psalms — Chapter 87

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1His 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.

1His foundation is in the holy mountains.

2Jehovah 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 as among them that know me: Behold, Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia: This one was born there.

5Yea, of Zion it shall be said, This one and that one was born in her; And the Most High himself will establish her.

6Jehovah will count, when he writeth up the peoples, This one was born there. Selah

7They that sing as well as they that dance [shall say], All my fountains are in thee. Psalm 88 A Song, a Psalm of the sons of Korah; for the Chief Musician; set to Mahalath Leannoth. Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite.

1Written by the Korahites; a psalm, a song. The Lord’s city is in the holy hills.

2The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.

3People say wonderful things about you, O city of God. (Selah)

4I mention Rahab and Babylon to my followers. Here are Philistia and Tyre, along with Ethiopia. It is said of them, “This one was born there.”

5But it is said of Zion’s residents, “Each one of these was born in her, and the Most High makes her secure.”

6The Lord writes in the census book of the nations, “This one was born there.” (Selah)

7As for the singers, as well as the pipers— all of them sing within your walls.

1His foundation is in the holy mountains.

2Yahweh loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.

3Glorious things are spoken about you, city of God. Selah.

4I will record Rahab and Babylon among those who acknowledge me. Behold, Philistia, Tyre, and also Ethiopia: “This one was born there.”

5Yes, of Zion it will be said, “This one and that one was born in her”; the Most High himself will establish her.

6Yahweh will count, when he writes up the peoples, “This one was born there.” Selah.

7Those who sing as well as those who dance say, “All my springs are in you.”

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Videos
Reflection

Summary

A Song of Zion — the LORD loves the gates of Zion above all; peoples from Rahab, Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Ethiopia are registered as born there; all nations find their spiritual home in God's city.

Authorship & Background

Author: Multiple authors — primarily David (73 psalms attributed), plus Asaph (12), Sons of Korah (11), Solomon (2), Moses (1), Heman (1), Ethan (1), and anonymous. The Psalter was compiled over approximately 1000 years and served as Israel's hymnal and prayer book. The book is divided into five 'books' (1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150), paralleling the five books of Moses. Key themes: worship, lament, praise, trust, kingship, creation, wisdom, Messianic prophecy, and the full range of human emotion brought before God.
Classification: Zion Song Attributed Author: Sons of Korah Key Themes: The glory of Zion, Gentile nations registered as born in Zion, God's universal family, spiritual citizenship, all springs of life flowing from God's city
Historical Context: This brief psalm (7 verses) is one of the most remarkable in the Psalter for its universalist vision. It envisions a day when people from Israel's ENEMIES — Rahab (Egypt), Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, Ethiopia — will be registered as "born in Zion." They become citizens of God's city not by physical birth but by divine registration. This is extraordinary for its era — a vision of Gentile inclusion in God's people. The NT fulfills this through the church: Galatians 4:26 ("Jerusalem which is above... is the mother of us all"). The Hebrew is compressed and challenging, making this one of the most difficult psalms to translate, but its theological message is revolutionary.
Structure:
  • Zion Founded by God (vv.1-3)
  • Nations Registered as Born in Zion (vv.4-6)
  • Joy: All My Springs Are in You (v.7)

Map & Geography

  • Zion (v.2, v.5): The hill on which Jerusalem/the Temple stood; often used poetically for God's dwelling.
  • Babylon (v.4): Capital of the Babylonian empire; place of Judah's exile (modern Iraq).
  • Philistia (v.4): Coastal region occupied by the Philistines (modern Gaza area).
  • Tyre (v.4): Phoenician port city on the Mediterranean coast.

Videos

The Bible Project — Psalms Overview

Reflection

  • 1. God's vision for His people includes the nations (v.4). No nation is excluded from God's invitation. Even Israel's historic enemies — Egypt, Babylon — can become citizens of God's city. The gospel has no ethnic boundaries.
  • 2. Spiritual birth determines citizenship, not physical ancestry (v.5). Being "born in Zion" is about spiritual relationship with God, not geography. This is the OT seed of the doctrine of new birth.
  • 3. All your springs are in God (v.7). Every source of life, refreshment, creativity, joy, and strength originates in Him. When you are dry, return to the spring. He is the headwaters of everything life-giving.