Psalm 87:4-6

4 “I will record Rahab^[a] and Babylon among those who acknowledge me— Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush^[b] — and will say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’ ”^[c]

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

6 The LORD will write in the register of the peoples: “This one was born in Zion.”

Psalm 87:4-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 87

\\<>\\. Whether this psalm was composed by David, in a view of the temple to be built by his son Solomon; or whether by one that returned from the Babylonish captivity, who wrote it for the comfort of those that wept at the laying of the foundation of the second temple; it seems evident that the subject matter of it is the church of God in Gospel times, and especially in the latter day glory: the title in the Syriac version is, ``concerning the redemption of Jerusalem.''

Cross References

• 1. S Job 9:13
• 2. S 2 Samuel 8:1; Psalms 83:7
• 3. Psalms 45:12; Joel 3:4
• 4. Isaiah 19:25
• 5. Exodus 32:32; Psalms 69:28; Isaiah 4:3; Ezekiel 13:9; Malachi 3:16

Footnotes

• [a] A poetic name for Egypt
• [b] That is, the upper Nile region
• [c] Or "“I will record concerning those who acknowledge me:" / "‘This one was born in Zion.’" / "Hear this, Rahab and Babylon," / "and you too, Philistia, Tyre and Cush.”"