Psalm 87

Psalm 87

1. A song. A psalm of the descendants of Korah. 1 1 On the holy mountain 1 stands the city founded by the Lord.

2. He loves the city of Jerusalem 2 more than any other city in Israel.[a]

3. O city of God, 3 what glorious things are said of you! Interlude

4. I will count Egypt[b] and Babylon among those who know me— 4 also Philistia and Tyre, and even distant Ethiopia.[c] 4 They have all become citizens of Jerusalem!

5. Regarding Jerusalem[d] it will be said, 5 “Everyone enjoys the rights of citizenship there.” 5 And the Most High will personally bless this city.

6. When the Lord registers the nations, he will say, 6 “They have all become citizens of Jerusalem.” Interlude

7. The people will play flutes[e] and sing, 7 “The source of my life springs from Jerusalem!”

Footnotes:
a. 87:2: Hebrew He loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. See note on 44:4.
b. 87:4a: Hebrew Rahab, the name of a mythical sea monster that represents chaos in ancient literature. The name is used here as a poetic name for Egypt.
c. 87:4b: Hebrew Cush.
d. 87:5: Hebrew Zion.
e. 87:7: Or will dance.