Psalms 87:5

And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her.

And of Zion {H6726} it shall be said {H559}{H8735)}, This and that man {H376} was born {H3205}{H8795)} in her: and the highest {H5945} himself shall establish {H3559}{H8787)} her.

But of Tziyon it will be said, "This one and that was born in it, for the Most High himself establishes it."

And it will be said of Zion: โ€œThis one and that one were born in her, and the Most High Himself will establish her.โ€

Yea, of Zion it shall be said, This one and that one was born in her; And the Most High himself will establish her.

Commentary

Psalms 87:5 speaks prophetically and poetically about the spiritual significance and divine security of Zion, God's chosen city. It paints a picture of a place where individuals find their true origin and belonging, established not by human might but by the sovereign power of the Most High.

Context

Psalm 87 is a "Song of Zion," celebrating Jerusalem as God's beloved dwelling place and the spiritual mother of all nations. The psalm envisions a future where people from diverse backgrounds acknowledge Zion as their spiritual home. This particular verse, Psalms 87:5, highlights the unique privilege and divine foundation of Zion, emphasizing its role as a place of spiritual birth and divine establishment amidst a world of nations.

Key Themes

  • Zion's Spiritual Motherhood: The phrase "This and that man was born in her" signifies that Zion is not merely a geographic location but a spiritual entity that gives birth to a diverse family of God. It implies a sense of belonging and spiritual heritage for all who are part of God's kingdom, transcending physical lineage or nationality. This idea resonates with the New Testament concept of being born again or having a spiritual citizenship in the heavenly Jerusalem, as mentioned in Galatians 4:26.
  • Divine Establishment: The core message of security lies in "the highest himself shall establish her." This powerfully declares that Zion's stability and enduring nature are not dependent on human strength, military might, or political alliances, but solely on God's unwavering power. He is the ultimate architect and sustainer of His holy city and, by extension, His spiritual kingdom. This principle is foundational, reiterating the truth that unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain that build it.

Linguistic Insights

  • The term "highest" is from the Hebrew 'Elyon (ืขึถืœึฐื™ื•ึนืŸ), a significant name for God emphasizing His supremacy, sovereignty, and exalted position. It underscores that the one establishing Zion is the supreme ruler of the universe.
  • The word "born" (ื™ึปืœึผึทื“ - yullad) is a passive form, indicating that people are "brought forth" or "originated" in Zion, highlighting a spiritual or adoptive connection rather than just physical birth.
  • "Establish" (ื™ึฐื›ื•ึนื ึฐื ึถื”ึธ - yekhoneneha) implies making firm, preparing, or confirming. It speaks of a foundational, enduring work, assuring Zion's permanence through divine intervention.

Reflection and Application

For believers today, Psalms 87:5 offers profound comfort and assurance. Just as ancient Zion was a symbol of God's presence and security, the Church, as the spiritual body of Christ, is also divinely established. We are called to be spiritual citizens of this heavenly Jerusalem, a place of ultimate belonging and security. This verse reminds us:

  • Our True Citizenship: Our ultimate identity and belonging are not in earthly nations but in God's eternal kingdom. All who are "born again" into faith in Christ become spiritual citizens of this divine city.
  • God's Unwavering Foundation: The Church and the hope of believers are not built on human efforts or fleeting trends, but on the unshakeable foundation laid by "the Highest himself." This provides immense hope and stability in an ever-changing world, echoing the promise that the gates of hell shall not prevail against Christ's church.
  • Diversity in Unity: The idea of "this and that man" being born in Zion celebrates the inclusion of people from all backgrounds, uniting them under one spiritual parentage. This fosters a sense of community and shared heritage among believers worldwide.

Psalms 87:5 stands as a powerful testament to God's faithfulness in establishing His people and His dwelling place, offering a vision of divine security and spiritual belonging for all who call Him Lord.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Galatians 3:26 (5 votes)

    For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

  • Galatians 3:28 (5 votes)

    There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

  • Romans 8:31 (4 votes)

    ยถ What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us?

  • 1 Peter 1:23 (4 votes)

    Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

  • 1 Peter 1:24 (4 votes)

    ยถ For all flesh [is] as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

  • Ezekiel 48:35 (4 votes)

    [It was] round about eighteen thousand [measures]: and the name of the city from [that] day [shall be], The LORD [is] there.

  • Hebrews 11:32 (4 votes)

    ยถ And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and [of] Barak, and [of] Samson, and [of] Jephthae; [of] David also, and Samuel, and [of] the prophets: