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Psalms 87

Chapter Text

The Glory of Zion

Summary

Psalm 87 is a brief but exalted celebration of Zion as the city of God, founded upon the holy mountains and loved by the Lord above all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of this city.

Remarkably, the psalm declares that peoples from Rahab (Egypt), Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Ethiopia shall be counted as born in Zion. The Lord Himself shall record in His register that this one and that one were born there. The psalm closes with singers and musicians declaring that all their springs of joy are found in Zion.

Meaning

This psalm contains a stunning prophetic vision of Gentile nations being incorporated into the people of God. To be born in Zion is to possess spiritual citizenship in God's city, and the psalm declares this privilege open to peoples from every corner of the ancient world.

This is one of the most universalist passages in the Old Testament, anticipating the New Testament teaching that in Christ there is neither Jew nor Gentile. God Himself keeps the register of citizens, and His city is the source of all true joy.

The theological heart is that belonging to God transcends ethnicity, geography, and political allegiance.

Background

Attributed to the sons of Korah, this psalm is both a song and a psalm. Its brevity belies its theological significance, as it envisions a worldwide spiritual community centered in Zion.

The psalm was likely sung during temple worship and pilgrimage festivals. Its vision of universal inclusion influenced later prophetic writings such as Isaiah 2 and Isaiah 60.

Chapter Outline

  1. vv. 1-3Zion, the City God Loves
  2. vv. 4The Nations Remembered
  3. vv. 5-6Citizens Registered in Zion
  4. vv. 7Singers and Springs of Joy

Key Verses

“Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.”— 87:3

A celebrated declaration of Zion's honor, immortalized in John Newton's hymn 'Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken.' It encapsulates the psalm's vision of Jerusalem as the dwelling place of God's glory.

“I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.”— 87:4

A startling vision of Gentile nations—even historic enemies like Egypt (Rahab) and Babylon—being registered as native-born citizens of Zion, foreshadowing the gathering of all peoples into God's covenant community.

“The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah.”— 87:6

Anticipates the divine register of citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem, a theme echoed in Hebrews 12:22-23 and Revelation 21:27, where the Lamb's book of life records the redeemed.

People & Places

Places

  • Zion — The sacred hill of Jerusalem, representing the dwelling place of God and His covenant people.
  • Jacob — Used metonymically for the tents and settlements of Israel, contrasted with the chosen city.
  • Rahab — A poetic name for Egypt, traditional enemy and oppressor of Israel.
  • Babylon — The great Mesopotamian empire that would later destroy Jerusalem and exile Judah.
  • Philistia — The coastal region of Israel's perennial western adversaries.
  • Tyre — The wealthy Phoenician port city north of Israel, known for trade and seafaring.
  • Ethiopia — Ancient Cush, the distant southern land symbolizing the farthest reaches of the known world.

Prophecy & Fulfillment

This brief psalm contains a remarkable prophetic vision of Gentile inclusion in the people of God. Verses 4-6 declare that nations historically hostile to Israel—Egypt, Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Ethiopia—will be reckoned as though native-born in Zion, their names recorded in God's register. This anticipates the New Testament fulfillment in which the gospel breaks down the wall between Jew and Gentile (Ephesians 2:11-22), and looks forward to the new Jerusalem of Revelation 21:24-27, where the nations walk in its light and only those written in the Lamb's book of life enter in.

Devotional

There is profound comfort in knowing that God keeps a register of His people, and that birthplace, ethnicity, and history do not bar anyone from belonging. The psalmist sees former enemies welcomed as native sons of Zion—a reminder that God's grace is wider than our prejudices and that no past disqualifies a heart that turns to Him.

When you feel like an outsider, remember that the Lord Himself writes your name down. Your true citizenship is not where you were born, but where you are reborn. Let your springs of joy rise from that secure belonging.

Literary Style

A short Korahite hymn of Zion, lyric Hebrew poetry marked by abrupt transitions and elliptical phrasing. Features the characteristic Selah pauses, divine speech, and synonymous parallelism, building a compressed but dense theological vision through poetic imagery.