Psalms 87:4

God Himself is the speaker (cp. Psalms 60:6 ff.). I will make mention of, solemnly and publicly acknowledge, Rahab and Babylon, as among them that know me, that own Me as their God and worship Me. Cp. Psalms 36:10; Psalms 9:10; Psalms 5:11; Isaiah 19:21. Rahab[48] is a nickname for Egypt (Isaiah 30:7; Isaiah 51:9; Psalms 89:10). It may have been the name of some mythological sea-monster (Job 26:12; Job 9:13, R.V.) chosen as an emblem of Egypt (cp. Isaiah 51:9), or it may simply mean -Arrogance." Its use here is significant: the ferocious monster is tamed; the blustering antagonist is reconciled.

[48] It may be noted that this name is differently spelt in Hebrew from Rahabin Joshua 22:1 ff., and is derived from a different root. This is Răhăb, that Râchâb.

Behold&c. God points as it were to each of these nations in succession and says, This one was born there, namely in Zion. By this divine edict each of them is invested with the full rights and privileges of citizenship as though they had been born in Zion.

It is God's purpose to reconcile all nations to Himself. Egypt, the world-power of the South, the ancient and hereditary enemy of God's people; Babylon, the world-power of the North, the cruel oppressor of later times; warlike Philistia, by which Israel had so often been harassed; proud Tyre, the haughty representative of commerce and wealth; distant Ethiopia, famous for its stalwart warriors (Isaiah 18:7); all will be brought to recognise Jehovah as their God; all shall be incorporated into the commonwealth of Israel (Ephesians 2:12). The thought is the same as that of Isaiah 19:24-25, though it is expressed in different language.