Psalm 87:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush — "This one was born there," they say.

NIV: "I will record Rahab and Babylon among those who acknowledge me— Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush — and will say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’ "

NASB: 'I shall mention Rahab and Babylon among those who know Me; Behold, Philistia and Tyre with Cush: ‘This one was born there.’?'

CSB: "I will make a record of those who know me: Rahab, Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Cush— each one was born there."

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

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

NKJV: “I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to those who know Me; Behold, O Philistia and Tyre, with Ethiopia: ‘This one was born there.’ ”

Psalm 87:4–7 looks ahead to a day (Revelation 15:4) when even non-Israelite nations will come to be part of God's kingdom (Revelation 20:4). Rahab—meaning Egypt (Isaiah 30:7)—and Babylon were the southern and northern powers of the ancient world. Likewise, the other nations and rivals of Israel will be adopted into the family of God (Galatians 3:26–29; Revelation 7:9). The world will see Zion—Jerusalem—as the source of every good thing.

Jerusalem is the city established by David (2 Samuel 5:7), which became the capital city of Israel. Other nations will come to respect the city. These nations include Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Cush. "Rahab," in this context, is the nation of Egypt (Isaiah 30:7). The world will come to Jerusalem to be adopted into the family of God as if they were natural-born children of the city.

King David took the Jebusite city of Zion and made it his capital (2 Samuel 5:5–10). Scripture repeatedly uses "Zion" as a poetic synonym for Jerusalem (Psalm 2:6; 48:11; 78:68; Isaiah 30:19; Lamentations 4:2). That "nations" will worship suggests the end times: when Christ will rule the world in person (Revelation 15:4; 20:4). The psalm may also celebrate the defeat of an Assyrian army which attempted to conquer Jerusalem (2 Kings 19:35–36).

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 11/22/2024 12:45:46 AM