1His foundation is in the holy mountains.
2The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
3Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.
4I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.
5And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her.
6The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah.
7As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.
📖 Chapter study
Summary
A short psalm that celebrates Jerusalem (Zion) as a city founded by God, foreseeing that even foreigners from rival nations such as Egypt, Babylon, and Philistia will one day say: 'this man was born there.'
Explanation
Though brief, this psalm holds a surprisingly inclusive vision for its time: nations historically hostile to Israel (Rahab is a poetic name for Egypt, alongside Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Ethiopia) are described as future spiritual 'citizens' of Zion, recognized by God as though born there. This anticipates later prophetic themes about foreign nations turning to God. The application today is a reminder that the community of faith, even in its oldest texts, always held a vision larger than ethnic or national borders.
Fun facts
- 'Rahab' here is a poetic nickname for Egypt (not to be confused with Rahab of Jericho in the book of Joshua), also used in Isaiah 51:9 and Psalm 89:10.
- The idea of foreigners being 'registered' as born in Zion (v.6) is one of the earliest biblical seeds of the hope that salvation would reach every nation.