Psalms 87:1

KJV

¶ A Psalm [or] Song for the sons of Korah. His foundation [is] in the holy mountains.

KJV (with Strong's)

A Psalm {H4210} or Song {H7892} for the sons {H1121} of Korah {H7141}. His foundation {H3248} is in the holy {H6944} mountains {H2042}.

Complete Jewish Bible

A psalm of the sons of Korach. A song: On the holy mountains is [the city's] foundation.

Berean Standard Bible

He has founded His city on the holy mountains.

American Standard Version

His foundation is in the holy mountains.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 87:1 serves as a profound declaration of God's sovereign establishment of Zion (Jerusalem) upon the sacred mountains. This foundational verse immediately sets the theological stage for the entire psalm, celebrating the unique status, divine origin, and spiritual significance of God's chosen dwelling place on earth, anticipating its pivotal role in God's redemptive plan for all nations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This psalm opens with a superscription, "A Psalm [or] Song for the sons of Korah," identifying it as part of a collection attributed to this prominent family of Levite musicians and gatekeepers who served in the Temple. Their psalms often express deep longing for God's presence, trust in His sovereignty, and praise for His dwelling place. Psalm 87 is notably one of the "Songs of Zion" (alongside others like [Psalm 46](/psalms/46 "Psalm 46 - God is our refuge and strength") and [Psalm 48](/psalms/48 "Psalm 48 - God's great city")), a genre of hymns that exalt Jerusalem as the holy city of God. Verse 1 lays the groundwork by asserting God's direct involvement in establishing Zion, preparing the reader for the astonishing theological claims that follow, particularly the idea that all nations will ultimately be "born" in Zion, as seen in [Psalm 87:4-6](/psalms/87-4-6 "Psalm 87:4-6 - Nations born in Zion").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jerusalem, also known as Zion, was the capital of the Southern Kingdom of Judah and the spiritual center of Israel. Geographically, it is situated on a series of hills, including Mount Zion and Mount Moriah, where the Temple was built. The phrase "holy mountains" refers to these elevated landforms upon which the city and its sacred structures were established. In the ancient Near East, cities were often built on high ground for defensive purposes. However, Jerusalem's significance transcended mere strategic location; it was the city that God explicitly chose as His dwelling place among His people, as recounted in [2 Samuel 5:7](/2_samuel/5-7 "2 Samuel 5:7 - David captures Zion") and [1 Kings 8:13](/1_kings/8-13 "1 Kings 8:13 - Solomon builds the Temple"). This divine election imbued the city with a unique sanctity, distinguishing it from all other cities and making it the focal point of Israelite worship and national identity.
* **Key Themes:** The opening verse of Psalm 87 introduces several profound theological themes. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Establishment and Sovereignty**, emphasizing that Jerusalem's existence and significance are not merely human achievements but are divinely ordained and secured by God Himself. This underscores God's active role as the architect and builder of His spiritual center, a theme echoed in [Psalm 127:1](/psalms/127-1 "Psalm 127:1 - Unless the Lord builds the house"). Secondly, the mention of "holy mountains" emphasizes the **Sanctity of Zion**. This sacredness is derived directly from God's presence and choice to dwell there, setting Jerusalem apart as a consecrated space, much like the ground where Moses encountered God was deemed holy in [Exodus 3:5](/exodus/3-5 "Exodus 3:5 - Holy ground"). Finally, the concept of a "foundation" implies **Security and Stability**. Because God is the ultimate builder, Zion enjoys an unparalleled permanence and resilience, not reliant on human strength or political fortunes, but on the unwavering divine will, providing a sense of unshakeable hope for its inhabitants, as suggested in [Isaiah 28:16](/isaiah/28-16 "Isaiah 28:16 - A sure foundation in Zion").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Foundation (Hebrew, _yᵉçûwdâh'_):** This feminine noun, derived from a root meaning "to found" or "to establish," refers to the base or groundwork upon which something is built. In this context, it signifies not merely a physical structure but the act of divine establishment, implying that Zion's existence and enduring stability are rooted in God's deliberate purpose and sovereign will. It conveys a sense of permanence and divine initiation.
* **Holy (Hebrew, _qôdesh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to be set apart" or "to be consecrated," _qôdesh_ denotes something that is distinct, sacred, and dedicated exclusively to God. When applied to the mountains, it indicates that these geographical features are not ordinary but have been divinely sanctified and made sacred by God's presence and choice to establish His dwelling place there. This holiness is a reflection of God's own character and His unique relationship with Zion.
* **Mountains (Hebrew, _hârâr'_):** This word refers to hills or mountains, specifically the elevated terrain upon which Jerusalem is built (e.g., Mount Zion, Mount Moriah). In biblical literature, mountains often symbolize strength, elevation, and permanence, frequently serving as sites of divine encounter and revelation. Here, "holy mountains" underscore both the physical prominence of Zion and its spiritual elevation as a place uniquely chosen and established by God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ A Psalm [or] Song for the sons of Korah.":** This superscription serves as an introductory title, identifying the genre of the composition ("Psalm" or "Song") and its attribution to the "sons of Korah." The Korahites were a prominent Levitical family known for their musical and liturgical roles in the Temple, indicating that this psalm was likely composed or collected for use in public worship, reinforcing its connection to the sacred space of Jerusalem.
* **"His foundation":** The possessive pronoun "His" implicitly refers to God, the divine subject whose actions are central to the psalm's message. This phrase declares that the very basis or establishment of Zion (Jerusalem) originates directly from God. It highlights divine agency and ownership in the city's inception, implying that its stability, significance, and sacred character are not human-derived but divinely ordained and secured.
* **"[is] in the holy mountains.":** This clause specifies the location of God's foundation: the sacred hills of Jerusalem. The term "holy mountains" signifies that these geographical features are consecrated not by human decree but by God's explicit choice to establish His dwelling place there. This elevates Jerusalem beyond a mere political capital to a uniquely sacred site, set apart for God's purposes and imbued with His presence and blessing.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 87:1 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Personification** is subtly present as Zion is implicitly given a "foundation," akin to a living entity being established by a divine builder. **Symbolism** is prominent, with "mountains" symbolizing strength, permanence, and elevation, and "foundation" symbolizing stability, divine establishment, and security. The "holy mountains" function as **metonymy**, where the physical location stands for the entire city of Jerusalem/Zion, emphasizing its sacred geography as the source of its unique identity and significance. Furthermore, the language itself contributes to an overall tone of **exaltation** and **veneration**, elevating Jerusalem to a status of unparalleled importance and divine favor.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 87:1 profoundly asserts that Jerusalem's significance is rooted in God's sovereign choice and active establishment. This is not merely a statement about geography or architecture, but a theological declaration about God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and His unfolding plan for humanity. The city's foundation on "holy mountains" signifies that its sanctity and security derive directly from God's presence and purpose, making it a unique locus of divine activity and revelation. This divine establishment of Zion foreshadows God's ultimate intention to create a dwelling place for Himself among His people, a place where His glory would be revealed and from which His salvation would extend to all nations.

* [Isaiah 2:2-3](/isaiah/2-2-3 "Isaiah 2:2-3 - All nations flow to Zion")
* [Psalm 48:1-2](/psalms/48-1-2 "Psalm 48:1-2 - God's great city, beautiful in elevation")
* [Hebrews 12:22](/hebrews/12-22 "Hebrews 12:22 - The heavenly Jerusalem")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While Psalm 87:1 speaks of a literal city, its spiritual implications extend deeply to God's dwelling place today: the Church. Just as God meticulously established Zion, He has also established His spiritual kingdom and the community of believers. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that our ultimate foundation is not in human institutions, fleeting earthly powers, or our own efforts, but in the divine, unshakeable work of God. As believers, we are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone, ensuring our spiritual security and permanence. Moreover, where God's presence resides, there is holiness; thus, as individual believers and as the collective Church, we are called to embody this holiness, reflecting the divine presence within us. In a world characterized by instability and change, the spiritual "foundation" laid by God in Christ provides ultimate peace and security, knowing that His kingdom is eternal and unshakeable.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God as the "founder" of our spiritual lives impact our sense of security and purpose?**
* **In what ways do we, as the Church, embody the "holy mountains" where God's presence dwells today?**
* **What does it mean for our faith to be built on an "unshakeable" foundation, especially in times of uncertainty?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "sons of Korah" in this psalm?**

Answer: The "sons of Korah" were a prominent family of Levites, specifically designated as Temple musicians and gatekeepers (see [1 Chronicles 9:19](/1_chronicles/9-19 "1 Chronicles 9:19 - Korahites as gatekeepers")). Their association with this psalm indicates its likely liturgical purpose, composed or collected for use in public worship and Temple services. The psalms attributed to the Korahites often express deep spiritual longing for God's presence, trust in His sovereignty, and profound praise for His dwelling place, aligning perfectly with the themes of Zion's divine establishment and glory in Psalm 87.

**How can a physical location like Jerusalem be "holy"?**

Answer: Holiness is primarily an attribute of God Himself. A place, object, or person becomes "holy" not by its inherent nature but by being set apart by God for His divine purposes and by His presence. For Jerusalem, its holiness stems from God's explicit choice to establish His Temple there and to dwell among His people (as seen in [Exodus 29:43](/exodus/29-43 "Exodus 29:43 - God's presence sanctifies the tabernacle")). It was consecrated by divine election and presence, making it a sacred space distinct from all other places.

**Does this verse imply that Jerusalem is superior to other cities?**

Answer: Psalm 87:1 certainly exalts Jerusalem as uniquely chosen and established by God for His dwelling and as a center for His redemptive plan. It highlights its special status as the place where God chose to reveal Himself and gather His people. However, the subsequent verses of Psalm 87 broaden this perspective significantly, proclaiming that *all* nations will ultimately be "born" in Zion (see [Psalm 87:4-6](/psalms/87-4-6 "Psalm 87:4-6 - Nations born in Zion")). This suggests that while Jerusalem holds a unique place in God's plan, its ultimate purpose is not exclusive superiority but universal inclusion, serving as the spiritual birthplace for people from every nation who come to acknowledge God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 87:1, with its declaration of Zion's divine foundation on "holy mountains," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ and the New Testament Church. While the earthly Zion was God's chosen dwelling place, it was but a shadow of the true spiritual reality. Jesus Christ Himself is the ultimate and unshakeable foundation upon which God's eternal kingdom is built, as the Apostle Paul declares that "no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" ([1 Corinthians 3:11](/1_corinthians/3-11 "1 Corinthians 3:11 - No other foundation than Christ")). The Church, comprised of all believers, is now the spiritual "holy mountain," the living temple of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus as the chief cornerstone ([Ephesians 2:20-22](/ephesians/2-20-22 "Ephesians 2:20-22 - Christ as the chief cornerstone, building the Church")). We, as individual believers, are living stones being built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living stones, a spiritual house")). The vision of all nations being "born" in Zion (Psalm 87:4-6) is gloriously fulfilled in Christ's Great Commission, where disciples are made from all nations ([Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission")), bringing them into the spiritual citizenship of the heavenly Jerusalem, the true Mount Zion, where countless angels and the assembly of the firstborn are gathered ([Hebrews 12:22-24](/hebrews/12-22-24 "Hebrews 12:22-24 - The heavenly Jerusalem and Mount Zion")). Thus, the security, holiness, and universal scope envisioned for Zion in Psalm 87:1 are fully realized in the person and work of Christ and His global Church.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 56:7

Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices [shall be] accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

Isaiah 28:16

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner [stone], a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

Ephesians 2:20

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone];

Ephesians 2:22

In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 3:10

According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

1 Corinthians 3:11

¶ For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Matthew 16:18

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.