Psalms 87:1
On the holy mount stands the city he founded;
English Standard Version (ESV)
All verses
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Psalms 87:1
On the holy mount stands the city he founded;
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse highlights that the city's strength isn't just about its physical location on hills, but that it's a divine foundation, "his foundation" – established by God himself. This means the city's very being and stability are rooted in God's purpose and power, not just earthly geography.
This psalm bursts forth with triumphant praise for Zion, celebrating its divine foundation on Jerusalem's sacred hills. It’s as if the psalmist is gazing upon the city, bursting with awe that this place, chosen by God and nestled in "holy mountains," is the very center of His dwelling and worship. The verses that follow will expand on the glory and future of this divinely established city.
This verse opens with a powerful declaration about a city's location. But what does it mean for God Himself to have a 'foundation'?
The verse begins with "His foundation is in the holy mountains." The 'His' here refers to God, and what He founded is the city of Jerusalem, the place He chose for His dwelling and worship.
A City Built on Sacred Ground
Why call these mountains 'holy'? What spiritual weight do they carry for us today?
The description of Jerusalem being founded "in the holy mountains" is rich with meaning.
More Than Just Geography
Understand the original words
har qodesh · Hebrew Noun
The elevated place designated by God as His dwelling or the location of His sanctuary, symbolizing His holiness, authority, and presence among His people.
iyr · Hebrew Noun
An urban settlement, often used in Scripture to represent civilization, society, or the corporate gathering of God's people under His rule.
This verse likely speaks to the re-establishment of Jerusalem and its Temple after the Babylonian exile, a time when the foundations of a new beginning were being laid, perhaps with less splendor than before, but with God's enduring favor.
c. 1000 BC
King David Captures Jerusalem
King David conquers the Jebusite city of Jerusalem and establishes it as the capital of Israel, bringing the Ark of the Covenant to the city.
c. 960 BC
Solomon Builds the First Temple
King Solomon builds the First Temple on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem, solidifying the city's religious importance and centrality.
c. 586 BC
Babylonians Destroy Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonian army under Nebuchadnezzar II conquers Jerusalem, destroys the First Temple, and deports much of the population to Babylon.
538 BC
Persian Edict Allows Return to Jerusalem
Cyrus the Great, king of Persia, issues a decree allowing the exiled Judeans to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple.
c. 520-516 BC
This passage directly calls Zion God's foundation, echoing Psalm 87:1's focus on the divinely established city.
Ezekiel 40:2Ezekiel describes a vision of a future temple located on a very high mountain, aligning with the 'holy mountains' imagery and God's dwelling place.
Matthew 16:18Jesus speaks of building His church upon a rock, connecting the idea of a divinely founded and unshakeable spiritual city to the Old Testament imagery.
Hebrews 12:22This New Testament passage speaks of arriving at the 'heavenly Jerusalem,' presenting a spiritual fulfillment of the earthly city's foundational significance.
clarkePsalms 87:1: "A Psalm or Song for the sons of Korah. His foundation is in the holy mountains."
His foundation is in the holy mountains - Jerusalem was founded on the mountains or hills of Zion and Moriah. The after increase of the population obliged the inhabitants to inclose all the contiguous hills; but Zion and Moriah were the principal. We know that ancient Rome was built on seven hills.
pulpitPsalms 87:1: "<or Song for the sons of Korah.>> His foundation is in the holy mountains."
Verses 1-3. - The praises of Zion. (1) She is built upon the holy mountains; (2) God loves her pre-eminently; and (3) a glorious future is assigned to her in the counsels of God. Ver. 1. - His foundation is in the holy mountains. God's foundation - the city which he has founded - is "in the holy mountains;" i.e. in the hill country of Judaea, a congeries of mountains, "holy," since they surround the holy…
The verse highlights that the city's strength isn't just about its physical location on hills, but that it's a divine foundation, "his foundation" – established by God himself. This means the city's very being and stability are rooted in God's purpose and power, not just earthly geography.
This psalm bursts forth with triumphant praise for Zion, celebrating its divine foundation on Jerusalem's sacred hills. It’s as if the psalmist is gazing upon the city, bursting with awe that this place, chosen by God and nestled in "holy mountains," is the very center of His dwelling and worship. The verses that follow will expand on the glory and future of this divinely established city.
This psalm bursts forth with triumphant praise for Zion, celebrating its divine foundation on Jerusalem's sacred hills. It’s as if the psalmist is gazing upon the city, bursting with awe that this place, chosen by God and nestled in "holy mountains," is the very center of His dwelling and worship. The verses that follow will expand on the glory and future of this divinely established city.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Psalms 87:1 is available in the Sola app.
Rebuilding of the Second Temple
Under the leadership of Zerubbabel, the Jews in Jerusalem complete the rebuilding of the Second Temple, though it is less grand than the first.
"On the holy mount stands the city he founded;" — The verse highlights that the city's strength isn't just about its physical location on hills, but that it's a divine foundation, "his foundation" – established by God himself. This means the city's…