Bible Strands
Psalms 87:5
And it will be said of Zion: “This one and that one were born in her, and the Most High Himself will establish her.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist announces that a future declaration will identify Zion as the birthplace of both native and foreign residents. This statement functions within a sequence where the speaker lists distant nations as being recorded among God's people.
The words — The prepositional phrase וּֽ/לֲ/צִיּ֨וֹן (u./la./tzi.Yon) literally means "and of Zion," fixing the declaration to a specific location. The verb יְכוֹנְנֶ֣/הָ (ye.kho.Ne./ha) translates as "he will establish it," describing the Most High's action of firmly founding the city.
The thread — The text's focus on divine establishment and recording parallels Ezekiel 48:35, where the city's measured perimeter receives the name "THE LORD IS THERE." It also aligns with Isaiah 60:1, which commands the city to arise and shine because the LORD's glory has risen upon it.
Why it lands — The text explicitly states that the Most High Himself will establish Zion, preceding any theological conclusion about divine sovereignty or inclusive belonging. Readers must acknowledge that the city's permanence and identity rest solely on God's establishing action rather than human achievement or lineage.
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
And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her.
Cross-references
- Romans 8:31 What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
- Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
- Ezekiel 48:35 The perimeter of the city will be 18,000 cubits, and from that day on the name of the city will be: THE LORD IS THERE.”
- John 1:12 But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—
- Galatians 3:26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
- 1 Peter 1:23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
- Isaiah 44:4 They will sprout among the grass like willows by flowing streams.
- John 3:3 Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
- Hebrews 11:32 And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets,
- Hebrews 12:22 Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to myriads of angels