Bible Strands
Psalms 87:4
“I will mention Rahab and Babylon among those who know Me—along with Philistia, Tyre, and Cush—when I say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The psalmist speaks as the prophetic voice of Zion, addressing the gathered community with a declaration of future inclusion. This statement occurs in the middle of a hymn that contrasts Zion’s glory with the coming recognition of foreign nations.
The words — The verb אַזְכִּיר ('azkir) literally means "I will bring to remembrance" or "I will mention." It introduces a specific list of historically antagonistic regions—Rahab, Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Cush—as those who will know God.
The thread — This pattern of foreign nations being counted among God’s people appears in Psalms 45:12, Isaiah 19:23, and Psalms 68:31. These passages similarly record former outsiders bringing tribute or extending their hands toward the Most High.
Why it lands — The text states that divine citizenship is granted by God’s declaration rather than by birthright. It asks the reader to accept that covenant belonging now encompasses those previously excluded from the community.
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
I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.
Cross-references
- Psalms 45:12 The Daughter of Tyre will come with a gift; men of wealth will seek your favor.
- Isaiah 19:23 In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt, and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together.
- Psalms 68:31 Envoys will arrive from Egypt; Cush will stretch out her hands to God.
- Job 9:13 God does not restrain His anger; the helpers of Rahab cower beneath Him.
- Psalms 89:10 You crushed Rahab like a carcass; You scattered Your enemies with Your mighty arm.
- 2 Samuel 21:16 Then Ishbi-benob, a descendant of Rapha, whose bronze spear weighed three hundred shekels and who was bearing a new sword, resolved to kill David.
- 1 Kings 10:1 Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with difficult questions.
- 2 Kings 20:17 The time will surely come when everything in your palace and all that your fathers have stored up until this day will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the LORD.
- Psalms 137:1 By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion.
- Psalms 137:8 O Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, blessed is he who repays you as you have done to us.