Psalms 87

King James Version (KJV) · English

1 His foundation is in the holy mountains. 2 The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. 3 Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah. 4 I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there. 5 And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her. 6 The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah. 7 As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.

Commentary — not Bible text

Psalms 87:1

PSALM 87

Psa 87:1-7. This triumphal song was probably occasioned by the same event as the forty-sixth [see on Psa 46:1, title]. The writer celebrates the glory of the Church, as the means of spiritual blessing to the nation.

1. His--that is, God's

foundation--or, what He has founded, that is, Zion (Is 14:32).

is in the holy mountains--the location of Zion, in the wide sense, for the capital, or Jerusalem, being on several hills.

Psalms 87:3

3. spoken of thee--or, "in thee," that is, the city of God (Psa 46:4; 48:2).

Psalms 87:4

4. This is what is spoken by God.

to them ... me--literally, "for My knowers," they are true worshippers (Psa 36:10; Is 19:21). These are mentioned as specimens.

this--that is, nation

was born there--Of each it is said, "This was born," or is a native of Zion, spiritually.

Psalms 87:5

5. The writer resumes--

This and that man--literally, "man and man," or many (Ge 14:10; Ex 8:10, 14), or all (Is 44:5; Ga 3:28).

the highest ... her--God is her protector.

Psalms 87:6

6. The same idea is set forth under the figure of a register made by God (compare Is 4:3).

Psalms 87:7

7. As in a great procession of those thus written up, or registered, seeking Zion (Is 2:3; Jr 50:5), "the singers" and "players," or pipers, shall precede.

all my springs--So each shall say, "All my sources of spiritual joy are in Thee" (Psa 46:4; 84:6).

Tip: tap a verse number to see the commentary for that verse.