Psalms 87:4
Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush— “This one was born there,” they say.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse isn't just listing hostile nations; it's revealing God's surprising plan to include them as His own. When they say "this one was born there," it’s not about their original nationality, but a declaration that they now belong to Zion through God’s transformative power, becoming citizens of His kingdom.
This psalm is a celebration of Zion, God's chosen city, and in these verses, the perspective expands to include the nations. The speaker declares that God will list peoples like Egypt (poetically called Rahab), Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Cush (Ethiopia) among those who know Him. The surprising part is the declaration that "this one was born there," indicating that people from these formerly foreign and often antagonistic nations will be considered natives of Zion, becoming part of God's people.
Imagine planning a party and inviting your fiercest rivals. That’s what God does here, but with eternal implications!
A New Kind of Gathering
In Psalm 87:4, God speaks about who will be mentioned among 'those who know me.' Instead of just listing his faithful followers, He names some of the most notorious enemies of His people: Rahab (representing Egypt), Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Cush (Ethiopia).
Why These Names?
These nations were known for their opposition to Israel. Rahab, for instance, symbolized Egypt's oppressive power. Babylon represented imperial might and idolatry. Philistia was a constant thorn in Israel's side. Tyre was a wealthy but often pagan coastal city. Cush (Ethiopia) represented distant, often unknown peoples.
God's point is radical: He intends to include even these former adversaries in His community of faith. It’s not about erasing their past, but about transforming them through His grace.
When people hear 'This one was born there,' what are they really celebrating?
More Than Just Geography
The phrase 'this one was born there' in verse 4 is key. It doesn't just mean someone physically resided in these places. The commentary suggests it points to a spiritual birth, a new identity.
A Heavenly Citizenship
When people from these nations are 'born there,' it means they are adopted into Zion's family. Their original birthplace loses its ultimate significance because their new 'birth' is in Zion. They gain a new citizenship, a new heritage, not based on their ethnicity or former allegiance, but on their new life in God's community.
Transformed Identity
This new birth is what makes them stand alongside those 'born' Israelites. It signifies a complete transformation – a renouncing of their old identity tied to hostile nations and an embracing of a new one within God's chosen people. It's a spiritual rebirth that redefines who they are.
Understand the original words
Rahab · Hebrew Proper Noun
A name often associated with Egypt in prophetic literature, representing chaos, pride, or a rebellious worldly power, yet here used to depict a people who will acknowledge God.
This psalm was likely written during or after the Babylonian exile. It speaks of a future hope where former enemies of Israel—like Egypt (called Rahab), Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Ethiopia—will be incorporated into God's people, finding new life and citizenship in Zion.
c. 8th-7th century BC
Assyrian and Babylonian Dominance
The Neo-Assyrian and later Neo-Babylonian empires exerted significant power and influence over the ancient Near East, including the regions of Philistia, Tyre, and Egypt.
c. 6th century BC
Babylonian Exile
The Babylonian Empire, under Nebuchadnezzar II, conquered Jerusalem and deported many Judeans to Babylon, a traumatic event that deeply impacted Jewish identity and theology.
c. 539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon, establishing the Persian Empire. This shift in power eventually led to the return of Jewish exiles to Jerusalem.
c. 5th-4th century BC— this verse
Post-Exilic Period and Diaspora
Following the exile, many Jews remained in diaspora across the Persian Empire, including in Babylon, Egypt (Rahab), and other regions, while Jerusalem was being rebuilt.
This passage prophesies a future where Egypt and Assyria (representing Gentile nations) will worship God alongside Israel, echoing Psalm 87's vision of diverse nations being incorporated into God's people.
Matthew 1:1-16The genealogy of Jesus includes Rahab and Ruth, highlighting how God incorporates Gentiles into His redemptive plan, just as Psalm 87 lists foreign nations as being 'born' in Zion.
Acts 2:9-11The miracle of Pentecost saw people from regions like Parthia, Media, Elam, Babylon, and Egypt hearing the gospel in their own languages, demonstrating the fulfillment of Psalm 87's vision of nations gathering to Zion.
Galatians 3:28Paul's declaration that in Christ there is 'no longer Jew or Greek' speaks to the spiritual unity and inclusion of all believers in God's family, a concept vividly pictured in Psalm 87 by foreign nations being 'born' in Zion.
Revelation 7:9-10This vision of a great multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language worshipping God echoes Psalm 87's celebration of Zion as a place that draws people from all the known world.
pulpitPsalms 87:4: "I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there."
Verses 4-6. - The Almighty is introduced as making a revelation to the psalmist. He will cause the Gentiles to flock into his Church, even those who have been hitherto the most bitter enemies of Israel (ver. 4), and will place these strangers on a par with such as have belonged to his Church from their birth (vers. 4, 5, 6), admitting them to every bl…
ellicottPsalms 87:4: "I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there."
(4) This verse may be paraphrased — I will mention to my intimates Rahab and Babylon; (I will say) look at Philistia and Tyre—yes, and even Ethiopia. So-and-so was born there. The last clause is literally this was born there, and on its reference the whole meaning of the verse and the whole intention of the psalm turn. Now immediately after the mentio…
The verse isn't just listing hostile nations; it's revealing God's surprising plan to include them as His own. When they say "this one was born there," it’s not about their original nationality, but a declaration that they now belong to Zion through God’s transformative power, becoming citizens of His kingdom.
This psalm is a celebration of Zion, God's chosen city, and in these verses, the perspective expands to include the nations. The speaker declares that God will list peoples like Egypt (poetically called Rahab), Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Cush (Ethiopia) among those who know Him. The surprising part is the declaration that "this one was born there," indicating that people from these formerly foreign and often antagonistic nations will be considered natives of Zion, becoming part of God's people.
This psalm is a celebration of Zion, God's chosen city, and in these verses, the perspective expands to include the nations. The speaker declares that God will list peoples like Egypt (poetically called Rahab), Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Cush (Ethiopia) among those who know Him. The surprising part is the declaration that "this one was born there," indicating that people from these formerly foreign and often antagonistic nations will be considered natives of Zion, becoming part of God's people.
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c. 1st century AD
Early Christian Mission
The psalm's themes of inclusion resonate with the early Christian message, which proclaimed that people from all nations (including those historically antagonistic to Israel) could become part of God's people through faith in Christ.
"Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush— “This one was born there,” they say." — The verse isn't just listing hostile nations; it's revealing God's surprising plan to include them as His own. When they say "this one was born there," it’s not about their original nationality, but…
