Psalms 87:4

Psalms 87:4 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.
• New International Version (NIV)“I will record Rahab and Babylon among those who acknowledge me— Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush— and will say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’ ”
• English Standard Version (ESV)Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush— "This one was born there," they say.
• New King James Version (NKJV)“I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to those who know Me; Behold, O Philistia and Tyre, with Ethiopia: ‘This one was born there.’ ”

Context of Psalms 87:4

2The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob. 3People say wonderful things about you, O city of God. (Selah) I mention Rahab and Babylon to my followers. Here are Philistia and Tyre, along with Ethiopia. It is said of them, “This one was born there.” 5But it is said of Zion’s residents, “Each one of these was born in her, and the sovereign One makes her secure.” 6The Lord writes in the census book of the nations, “This one was born there.” (Selah)

Psalms 87:4 word by word

אַזְכִּ֤יר׀ רַ֥הַב וּבָבֶ֗ל לְֽיֹ֫דְעָ֥י הִנֵּ֤ה פְלֶ֣שֶׁת וְצ֣וֹר עִם־כּ֑וּשׁ זֶ֝֗ה יֻלַּד־שָֽׁם׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• I will make mentionזָכַרzâkar · to rememberH2142
• of Rahabרַ֫הַבrahab · Rahab monsterH7294
• and Babylonבָּבֶ֫ל, בָּבֶלbâbel · BabylonH894
• to them that knowיָדַעyâda‛ · to knowH3045
• me: behold Philistiaפְּלֶ֫שֶׁתpelesheth · PhilistiaH6429
• and Tyreצֹרtsôr tsôr · TyreH6865
• with Ethiopiaכּוּשׁkûsh · CushH3568
• was bornיָלַדyâlad · to begetH3205

Cross-references for Psalms 87:4

• Psalms 89:10You crushed the Proud One and killed it; with your strong arm you scattered your enemies.
• Isaiah 51:9Wake up! Wake up! Clothe yourself with strength, O arm of the Lord! Wake up as in former times, as in antiquity! Did you not smash the Proud One? Did you not wound the sea monster?
• Psalms 137:1By the rivers of Babylon we sit down and weep when we remember Zion.
• 2 Kings 20:17‘Look, a time is coming when everything in your palace and the things your ancestors have accumulated to this day will be carried away to Babylon; nothing will be left,’ says the Lord.
• Isaiah 13:1This is a message about Babylon that God revealed to Isaiah son of Amoz:
• Isaiah 14:4you will taunt the king of Babylon with these words: “Look how the oppressor has met his end! Hostility has ceased!
• Jeremiah 25:9So I, the Lord, affirm that I will send for all the peoples of the north and my servant, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. I will bring them against this land and its inhabitants and all the nations that surround it. I will utterly destroy this land, its inhabitants, and all the nations that surround it and make them everlasting ruins. I will make them objects of horror and hissing scorn.
• Jeremiah 50:1The Lord spoke concerning Babylon and the land of Babylonia through the prophet Jeremiah.
• Jeremiah 51:1The Lord says, “I will cause a destructive wind to blow against Babylon and the people who inhabit Babylonia.
• Daniel 2:47The king replied to Daniel, “Certainly your God is a God of gods and Lord of kings and revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery!”
• Daniel 4:30The king uttered these words: “Is this not the great Babylon that I have built for a royal residence by my own mighty strength and for my majestic honor?”
• Revelation 17:5On her forehead was written a name, a mystery: “Babylon the Great, the Mother of prostitutes and of the detestable things of the earth.”
• Revelation 18:2He shouted with a powerful voice: “Fallen, fallen, is Babylon the great! She has become a lair for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detested beast.
• Psalms 45:12Rich people from Tyre will seek your favor by bringing a gift.
• Isaiah 23:1Here is a message about Tyre: Wail, you large ships, for the port is too devastated to enter! From the land of Cyprus this news is announced to them.
• Ezekiel 27:1The word of the Lord came to me:

Commentaries on Psalms 87:4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4I will make mention of Rahab - The meaning seems to be, Rahab, i.e., Egypt, Babylon, Tyre, Philistia, and Ethiopia are not so honorable as Jerusalem. To be born in any of them is no privilege when compared with being a native of Jerusalem: their cities are but heads of villages; Jerusalem alone is a City. I have met with a very similar sentiment in a Persian work, of which I know not the author: Tche Mesr, o tche Sham, o tche Birr o Buhr . Heme rustaee…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4I 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 Psalm 89:10. The reason why the name was given to Egypt is not certainly known. The Hebrew word properly means fierceness, insolence, pride; and it may have been given to Egypt by the Hebrews on account of its haughtiness, pride, and insolence. It has been supposed by some (Jablonski, Opusc. i. 228) that the name is of Egyptian…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 4-7Verses 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 man according to his works, he shall observe who enjoyed the privileges of his sanctuary. To them much was given, and of them much will be required. Let those that dwell in Zion, mark this, and live up to their profession. Zion's songs shall be sung with…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4Zion is great, but it will be even greater as an international city where believers from all nations are citizens. God keeps a record of everyone who confesses him as their Lord (Daniel 7:10; Revelation 13:8).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. This is what is spoken by God. to them ... me--literally, "for My knowers," they are true worshippers (Psa 36:10; Is 19:21). These are mentioned as specimens. this--that is, nation was born there--Of each it is said, "This was born," or is a native of Zion, spiritually.Read the comment

Topics related to Psalms 87:4

• Babylon
• Church
• Egypt
• Ethiopia
• Philistia
• Rahab
• Regeneration
• Tyre

In the dictionaries

• Babylon
• Ethiopia
• Philistia
• Rahab
• Tyre
• Rahab, or Rachab
• Babylon, Babylonia, Babylonian
• Ethiopia, Ethiopian
• Tyre, Tyrians
• Palestine

Commentaries on Psalms 87

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• The Treasury of David
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings