Bible Strands
Psalms 87:1
A Psalm of the sons of Korah. A song. He has founded His city on the holy mountains.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The sons of Korah compose this song as a liturgical declaration. It addresses the worshiping community by attributing divine establishment to God without specifying a historical moment or audience.
The words — יְסוּדָתוֹ (ye.su.da.T/o) translates to "His foundation," and קֹדֶשׁ (Ko.desh) means "holiness." These terms anchor the verse's claim in concrete divine action and sacred geography.
The thread — The motif of divine foundation and sacred mountain appears in Isaiah 28:16, Isaiah 56:7, and Isaiah 2:2. These passages extend the theme of God establishing a secure, holy place for His people.
Why it lands — The text states God founded His city on holy mountains, requiring the reader to acknowledge His sovereign choice of location. It demands alignment with the stated love for Zion rather than personal preference for worship sites.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
A Psalm or Song for the sons of Korah. His foundation is in the holy mountains.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 28:16 So this is what the Lord GOD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken.
- Isaiah 56:7 I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.”
- Isaiah 2:2 In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.
- Ephesians 2:20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.
- Matthew 16:18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
- Psalms 48:1 A song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, His holy mountain.
- Zechariah 8:3 This is what the LORD says: “I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the LORD of Hosts will be called the Holy Mountain.”
- 1 Corinthians 3:10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one must be careful how he builds.
- Psalms 68:16 Why do you gaze in envy, O mountains of many peaks? This is the mountain God chose for His dwelling, where the LORD will surely dwell forever.
- 2 Chronicles 3:1 Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to his father David. This was the place that David had prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.