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A plain stone city gate with its heavy cedar doors standing open on an empty hill road in clean morning light, under a wide pale sky.

Song of Zion · Sons of Korah

Psalm 87

A list of Israel’s worst enemies, and God is writing them in as natives.

7 verses≈ 3 minBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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Where we are

  1. 1–41Book IDavid's prayers: 'The LORD is my shepherd'
  2. 42–72Book II'As the deer pants'; the throne under pressure
  3. 73–89Book IIIAsaph and Korah: the kingdom fallsPsalm 87
  4. 90–106Book IVBack to Moses: the LORD reigns
  5. 107–150Book VSongs of ascents, and the last Hallelujah

The LORD Loves the Gates of Zion

Huge rough foundation stones set straight on the living limestone of a ridge, the bedrock running on down the hill.

A Psalm of the sons of Korah. A song.

He has founded His city

on the holy mountains.

The LORD loves the gates of Zion

more than all the dwellings of Jacob.

Glorious things are ascribed to you,

O city of God.

Selah

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

Glorious things are ascribed to you, O city of God.

Psalm 87:3

God
God

“I will mention Rahab and Babylon

among those who know Me—

along with Philistia, Tyre, and Cush—

when I say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’”

EgyptPhilistiaCushBabylonTyreJerusalem

Stylised map · locations approximate

On the map

Born in Zion

Five nations, and each one enrolled at the same address.

And it will be said of Zion:

“This one and that one were born in her,

and the Most High Himself will establish her.”

Clear water runs from a rock-cut spring at the foot of a stone city ridge, with a few small Levite singers holding lyres and reed pipes beside it in early light.

The LORD will record in the register of the peoples:

“This one was born in Zion.”

Selah

Singers and pipers will proclaim,

“All my springs of joy are in You.”

0:14

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Reflect

Where are you from?

Most of us have a quick answer to that question. What changes if the truest answer is Zion?

You’ve experienced

Psalm 87

0 of 150 psalms read

A verse to carry with you

Glorious things are ascribed to you, O city of God.

Psalm 87:3

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