Psalm 87:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The Lord records as he registers the peoples, "This one was born there." Selah

NIV: The Lord will write in the register of the peoples: "This one was born in Zion."

NASB: The Lord will count when He registers the peoples, 'This one was born there.' Selah

CSB: When he registers the peoples, the Lord will record, "This one was born there." Selah

NLT: When the Lord registers the nations, he will say, 'They have all become citizens of Jerusalem.' Interlude

KJV: The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah.

NKJV: The Lord will record, When He registers the peoples: “This one was born there.” Selah

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 1:01:10 AM