Psalms 87 - Printer Friendly

The "Sons of Korah" were probably a group of important temple musicians during the early years of the nation of Israel. The song recorded here gives a glowing endorsement of Jerusalem: the city God founded and developed as the capital of His chosen people (Zechariah 1:16–17). The psalmist may be looking ahead to the end times when Christ rules from Zion. Or this may be the world reacting in awe to the defeat of an Assyrian army (2 Kings 19:35–36) and responding accordingly (Psalm 87:1–3).

In the end times, every nation will eventually submit to the rule of Christ (Psalm 2; Philippians 2:9–11; Revelation 20:4). Those who come to the Lord in faith, no matter their origin, will be adopted in the family of God (Galatians 3:26–29; Revelation 7:9). Babylon, to the north, was the world's reigning superpower at the time. Egypt—called Rahab here (Isaiah 30:7)—was the most powerful nation of the south. In between were Israel's various rivals and neighbors. The psalmist looks forward to when those people groups all come to the Lord to acknowledge Him as the source of all blessings (Psalm 87:4–7).

Psalm 87:1–3 describes Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, which God established through the victories of David (2 Samuel 5:7). This "city of God" is the object of the Lord's special love. This is where the temple was built (Isaiah 2:3), where the ark of the covenant was kept (2 Samuel 6:12), and where Jesus performed much of His earthly ministry (John 5:1).

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.