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The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

Psalms 87:4-6

PSALM—NOTE ON Psalms 87:4 The second section is startling. One expects a reference to those who know me, but the list is composed of Gentile nations. Yet, the Most High himself will establish Zion, in order to allow the peoples to be treated as born in her, as Israelites. When the people of God sing this psalm, they stay focused on their God-given purpose, to be a light for the Gentiles; see note on 86:8–10.

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See also Psalms 87:4-6 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse Psalms 87:4. _I WILL MAKE MENTION OF RAHAB_] The meaning seems to be, _Rahab_, i.e., _Egypt, Babylon, Tyre, Philistia_, and _Ethiopia_ are not so honourable as _Jerusalem_. To be born in any of...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    I WILL MAKE MENTION OF RAHAB AND BABYLON ... - The word Rahab here refers to Egypt. See Isaiah 51:9. It is also applied to Egypt in Psalms 89:10. The reason why the name was given to Egypt is not cert...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    Psalms 87 Zion and Its Coming Glories Another Korah Psalm. Zion is the object of Jehovah's love where He will manifest His glory. Glorious things are spoken of the city of God. This we learn from ma...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    LXXXVII. ZION THE MOTHER OF ALL YAHWEH'S PEOPLE. When this Ps. was written, the Jews were scattered everywhere in the known world. But every true Jew recognised Jerusalem as his mother city. The glory...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    RAHAB. pride, or haughtiness. Used as name for Egypt (by Figure of speech _Polyonymia,_ App-6), as in Psalms 89:10; Isaiah 51:9. Compare Job 9:13 with Job 26:12

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    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....

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    The nations of the world shall be enrolled as Zion's children; and Zion shall be glorified by this accession of unnumbered fresh citizens....

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    I WILL MAKE MENTION OF RAHAB AND BABYLON— _Shall I celebrate Egypt and Babylon to them that know me? Behold, O Phistia, Tyre, and Cush, such a man was born there.—"_Is this his honour, shall I mention...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    PSALMS 87 DESCRIPTIVE TITLE The Glorious Destiny of Zion as the Metropolis of the Nations. ANALYSIS Stanza I., Psalms 87:1-3, Jehovah's Preferential Love for Zion Declared. Stanza II., Psalms 87:4-...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there. I WILL MAKE MENTION OF RAHAB AND BABYLON TO THEM THAT KNOW ME - ra...

  • Darby's translation notes (1890)

    87:4 Rahab (c-6) i.e. Egypt....

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    RAHAB] Egypt: see Isaiah 30:7; Isaiah 51:9; Psalms 89:10. TO THEM THAT KNOW ME] RV 'as among them that know me.' THIS _man_] RV 'this one,' this nation. So in...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    This Ps. expands the thought of Psalms 86:9. Zion is the chosen dwelling of God (Psalms 87:1), the spiritual birthplace of the other nations (Psalms 87:4), and the source of joy to them all ...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    Psalms 73:89 _GORDON CHURCHYARD_ THE TWO JERUSALEMS PSALMS 87 JESUS SAID, "YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN". (JOHN 3:7)...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    THIS VERSE MAY BE PARAPHRASED — I will mention to my intimates Rahab and Babylon; (I will say) look at Philistia and Tyre — yes, and even Ethiopia. So-and-so was born there. The last clause is literal...

  • ETCBC data on Hebrew bible

    אַזְכִּ֤יר ׀ רַ֥הַב וּ בָבֶ֗ל לְֽ יֹ֫דְעָ֥י ה

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    Psalms 87:1 ONE clear note sounds in this remarkable psalm. Its single theme is the incorporation of ancestral foes and distant nations with the people of God. Aliens are to be enrolled as home-born c...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    CITIZENS OF ZION Psalms 87:1 This psalm blends in one great congregation the ancient foes of Israel and the Chosen People. It is a vision of the Holy Universal Church. The _Selahs_ divide it into th...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    This is a prophecy. The singer is looking on. The order of the earthly realisation of the Kingdom of God is seen as established. First, the city is contemplated at the centre of everything, with Jehov...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    I will make mention of (c) Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; (d) this [man] was born there. (c) That is, Egypt and these other countries will come to...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    _Hell. The grave, or captivity. (Calmet) --- Our Saviour said, My soul is sorrowful unto death. [Matthew xxvi. 38.] David, Jeremias, or the captives, were not reduced to this extremity. (Berthier)_...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    This verse throws great light upon the glorious things spoken of before. For the words are as if Jehovah had said, I will cause it to be remembered by them, who knew me in Rahab and Babylon, here was...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    4_I will make mention of Rahab and Babel. _The name of _Rahab _is put for Egypt in many other parts of Scripture; and this signification is very suitable to the present passage, the object of which is...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    Psalms 87 views Zion as founded of God, a city which has foundations. Men had cities, and boasted of them; but God had a city He founded in the holy mountains. Even here it was not Joseph or the richn...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    I WILL MAKE MENTION OF RAHAB,.... Not of Rahab the harlot, as Jerom and others of the ancients y interpret it; for the letters of both words are not the same in Hebrew; though mention is made of her i...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this [man] was born there. Ver. 4. _I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon_] Rahab is Egypt...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _I will make mention_ Hebrew, אזכיר, _azchir, I will record_, or, _cause to be remembered, Rahab_ That is, Egypt, so called, Psalms 89:10; Isaiah 51:9, but whether from its _pride_, or natural _streng...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know Me, literally, "I will call to remembrance Rahab," that is, Egypt, "and Babylon as those who know Me," publishing the fact that people even f...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    THE CHURCH OF GOD THE SPIRITUAL BIRTHPLACE OF THE NATIONS. A psalm or song for the sons of Korah, a triumphal hymn in the strain of these inspired singers, celebrating the glory of the Church as the...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    4-7 The church of Christ is more glorious and excellent than the nations of the earth. In the records of heaven, the meanest of those who are born again stand registered. When God renders to every ma...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    I WILL MAKE MENTION, i.e. I will reckon or account them in the number of my children and subjects. RAHAB, i.e. Egypt, so called, PSALMS 89:10 ISAIAH 51:9, but whether from its pride, or natural streng...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Psalms 87:4 mention H2142 (H8686) Rahab H7294 Babylon H894 know H3045 (H8802) Philistia H6429 Tyre H6865 Ethiopia...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: God's favor to Zion and His great love for it. CHARACTERS: God, Psalmist. CONCLUSION: God has expressed a particular affection for Jerusalem because there He met and conversed with His peo...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Psalms 87:1. _His foundation is in the holy mountains._ The hills of Zion and Moriah were both holy. The exordium is bold and abrupt. Mystically, the spiritual Zion, built on the foundation of the pro...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _His foundation is in the holy mountains._ A MATERIAL PORTRAIT OF THE SPIRITUAL CHURCH I. It is glorious in its elevation (Psalms 87:1). The spiritual Church is a city set upon a hill. Though elevat...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    INTRODUCTION _Superscription_.—“_A Psalm of Song for the sons of Korah_.” It so far combines the properties of a religious _Psalm_ and a patriotic _song_ that either of the names may with propriety b...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION THIS short psalm, opening with the praise of Zion, or of the Jewish Church (Psalms 87:1), passes into a glorification of the Church universal, when all the nations have come into it (Psalms...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    His foundation is in the holy mountains. The LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all of the dwellings of Jacob (Psalms 87:1-2). So it's sort of a psalm which extols the city of Jerusalem which is...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Kings 10:1; 1 Samuel 17:8; 2 Kings 20:17; 2 Kings 20:18;...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    Rahab — Egypt, so called, either from its pride or natural strength. Babylon — Under these two and Philistia, the constant enemies of Israel, he seems to understand all the enemies of the church of Go...

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