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Psalms 87:4

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

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

Psalms 87:4 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Psalms 87:4

Theological / Devotional

Rahab. A poetical designation for Egypt (see Isa. 30:7, RSV). The context, uniting “Rahab” with “Babylon,” clarifies the reference to Egypt: the two nations were equally proud and arrogant in their antagonism to Israel.

Philistia, and Tyre. See Ps. 83:7; cf. Ps. 68:31.

This man was born there. Some commentators contend that the adverb “there” designates Zion; hence the interpretation that represents Zion as the capital of a universal kingdom (see Introduction to Ps. 87). It seems more natural to apply the adverb to the places mentioned in the immediately preceding context: Egypt, Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Ethiopia. Such an application is clearly seen in the following paraphrase of v. 4: “I will mention Egypt and Babylon to my intimates; look at Philistia, Tyre, or even Ethiopia. So-and-So was born there.” The psalmist seems to be emphasizing that beyond the fondest patriotism of the natives of these lands is the privilege of being a native of Zion. The whole psalm appears to be a grand eulogy on the Holy City as a birthplace.

By SdaBc