Psalm 87 4

Psalm 87:4 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.

Psalm 87:4 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.' "

Psalm 87:4 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.'?"

Psalm 87:4 esv

Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush ? "This one was born there," they say.

Psalm 87:4 nlt

I will count Egypt and Babylon among those who know me ?
also Philistia and Tyre, and even distant Ethiopia.
They have all become citizens of Jerusalem!

Psalm 87 verses

Psalm 87 4 Meaning

Psalm 87:4 proclaims God's declaration regarding various gentile nations—traditionally adversaries of Israel—that they will come to know Him, and their people will be spiritually "born" in Zion. This signifies a profound inclusion of non-Israelites into God's covenant family, recognizing their citizenship in His city, which is Jerusalem, but with a deeper spiritual meaning pointing towards God's universal redemptive plan.

Psalm 87 4 Context

Psalm 87 is a prophetic hymn celebrating Zion, Jerusalem, as the city chosen by God, destined to become the spiritual birthplace and home for people from all nations. It is unique among the Psalms for its forward-looking perspective on the inclusion of gentiles. The psalm begins by exalting Zion's foundations (v. 1-3), asserting that it is more beloved to God than any other dwelling. Verse 4 then dramatically shifts to a list of powerful, and often hostile, pagan nations. This verse introduces a future reality where individuals from these nations will not just visit Zion, but will be registered as "born there," implying a complete change of identity and allegiance, becoming true citizens of God's spiritual city. This challenges the prevailing ethnocentric view of God's chosen people, hinting at a much broader, universal scope for His kingdom.

Psalm 87 4 Word analysis

• "I will make mention of" (אֶזְכִּיר - ezkîr): This Hebrew verb signifies to declare, to remember, to record, or to bring to mind. Here, it conveys God's sovereign intent to officially recognize or register these nations. It implies a definitive divine action and pronouncement, highlighting the certainty of the prophecy.

• "Rahab" (רַהַב - rahav): Not to be confused with Rahab of Jericho. This word literally means "pride" or "storm." In prophetic literature, "Rahab" is consistently used as a symbolic name for Egypt, representing its strength, arrogance, and often its oppressive nature towards Israel (e.g., Ps 89:10, Is 30:7). Its inclusion here signifies the redemption of a historically formidable enemy.

• "and Babylon" (וּבָבֶל - ūvável): Represents the powerful Mesopotamian empire, often seen as Israel's chief oppressor and a center of idolatry. Its inclusion alongside Rahab further emphasizes the radical nature of God's plan to draw even His fiercest enemies into His fold.

• "as among them that know me" (לְיֹדְעָי - leyōd'ay): The Hebrew word yādaʿ (know) here denotes a deep, intimate, personal knowledge and relationship, far beyond mere acquaintance. For these pagan nations, who traditionally did not acknowledge Yahweh, to "know" Him indicates a profound spiritual transformation and covenantal relationship. This is the heart of conversion and true worship.

• "behold Philistia" (הִנֵּה פְלֶשֶׁת - hinnēh peleshet): "Behold" (hinnēh) serves as an exclamation, drawing attention to the upcoming list. Philistia represents the persistent, geographical enemy of Israel in the ancient world, engaged in perpetual conflict.

• "and Tyre" (וְצֹר - vətsôr): A wealthy Phoenician city, known for its extensive trade and sea power, often an ambivalent or sometimes antagonistic neighbor. It symbolizes the gentile commercial and maritime world.

• "with Ethiopia" (עִם־כּוּשׁ - ‘im-kūš): Refers to Cush, the region south of Egypt, often symbolizing the farthest reaches of the known world, indicating the universal scope of God's plan to include distant peoples.

• "this man was born there" (זֶה יֻלַּד־שָׁם - zeh yullad-shām): This is the crux of the verse.

  • "this man" (זֶה - zeh): A demonstrative pronoun in the singular, pointing to "this one," meaning an individual from each of these nations, rather than just the nation as a whole. This highlights personal salvation and inclusion.
  • "was born" (יֻלַּד - yullad): A Niphal participle, passive form of yālad (to bear, give birth). It implies a birth that happens to someone, highlighting the divine initiative in this "birth." This is not just migration but a fundamental, transformative event. It points to a spiritual birth or rebirth.
  • "there" (שָׁם - shām): Refers to Zion/Jerusalem, emphasized in the preceding verses (v. 1-3). It means they are counted as truly belonging to Zion, inheriting its spiritual privileges as if they originated there.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon": This opening sets the stage for God's divine registration of even the most powerful and historically adversarial gentile empires, transforming their status in His sight. It demonstrates His absolute sovereignty and redemptive purpose for all nations.
  • "as among them that know me": This phrase radicalizes the expectation. It is not just about these nations being subjugated or converted to Judaism, but about a personal, intimate relationship with God, equating them with His faithful people.
  • "behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia": This further expands the list to include various significant gentile nations, reinforcing the universality of the promise. The deliberate naming of such diverse lands indicates that no nation or people group is beyond the reach of God's redemptive plan.
  • "this man was born there": This climactic phrase redefines citizenship. It means that individuals from these very diverse and historically ungodly nations will experience a spiritual rebirth, receiving a new identity as rightful citizens of Zion. They will not be merely visitors or residents, but genuinely "native-born" members of God's community. This prophetic statement foreshadows the New Covenant reality where spiritual birth through faith in Christ transcends ethnic and national boundaries, and believers from all peoples become "fellow citizens with the saints" (Eph 2:19) in the heavenly Jerusalem.

Psalm 87 4 Bonus section

• The radical inclusivity portrayed in Psalm 87:4 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament Church. Just as individuals from traditional enemies like Rahab (Egypt) and Babylon would be spiritually 'born' in Zion, so too are gentiles now incorporated into God's household through faith in Christ (Eph 2:11-22).
• Zion, while initially referring to earthly Jerusalem, becomes a type or symbol for the New Jerusalem, the spiritual city of God, which is the church and ultimate dwelling place of believers from all nations. This spiritual Zion is where the new birth takes place, echoing Paul's teaching that believers are "born from above."
• This verse stands as a powerful polemic against any narrow, ethnocentric understanding of God's salvation. It teaches that divine favor is not restricted by geography or genealogy, but is open to all who are supernaturally "born" into His kingdom by divine initiative.
• The naming of specific powerful nations shows God's sovereignty over all human kingdoms, proclaiming their eventual submission to His spiritual reign. It assures that God’s plan encompasses all historical adversaries, turning their enmity into knowledge and relationship with Him.

Psalm 87 4 Commentary

Psalm 87:4 is a profound declaration of God's universal redemptive purpose, a vision that was radical in its time. The mention of Rahab (Egypt), Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Ethiopia—nations often synonymous with Israel's oppressors or pagan practices—being acknowledged "among those who know me" and having individuals "born there" in Zion, unveils God's intention to bring all peoples into His saving grace. The core concept of being "born there" is not a physical birth in Jerusalem, but a spiritual regeneration, a new identity forged through God's work in the hearts of individuals from every nation. It indicates that just as a physical birth confers citizenship and belonging, this spiritual birth will confer spiritual citizenship in Zion, the city of God. This transcends national origin and demonstrates that God's covenant blessings extend beyond physical Israel to embrace a spiritual Israel drawn from all humanity. This prophetic verse prefigures the New Testament reality where spiritual rebirth (Jn 3:3-7) allows gentiles to become part of the true Israel of God (Gal 6:16), making Zion a spiritual metropolis for the spiritually reborn from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation (Rev 7:9). The psalm speaks to the transformative power of God's grace that reconciles former enemies and unites diverse peoples into one family under the Lord.