Bible Commentaries
Psalms 87

Verses 1-7

LXXXVII. Zion the Mother of all Yahweh’ s People.— When this Ps. was written, the Jews were scattered everywhere in the known world. But every true Jew recognised Jerusalem as his mother city. The glory of Zion was due to the establishment there of David’ s court and to the great principle of the Deuteronomic reform, “ one Yahweh and one altar,” viz. at Jerusalem. Attempt was made by interpolation in ancient records (see Genesis 14:18-20 * and Genesis 22:2 *) to carry the consecration of Jerusalem back into patriarchal times.

Psalms 87:3 . are spoken: read, “ he speaketh.”

Psalms 87:4-5 a. A short speech by Yahweh. Render, “ because of them that know” (or “ acknowledge” ) “ me,” i.e. the Jews who are settled there. Rahab ( Job 9:13 *, Job 26:12, Isaiah 51:9 *) was a mythical sea-monster, identified here with Egypt ( cf. Isaiah 30:7 *). Many Jews had been born in Egypt, Babylon, etc., but their spiritual birthplace was in Jerusalem.

Psalms 87:5 a. Read “ I call Zion mother” ; every one was born there (LXX), whatever the place of his physical birth may have been, if he be a true Jew.

Psalms 87:6 . when he writeth up: read, “ in the register of peoples” (LXX).

Psalms 87:7 . The dance and song are sacred, and the springs are metaphorical.