Psalms 87 AMPC

1. ON THE holy hills stands the city [of Jerusalem and the temple] God founded.

2. The Lord loves the gates of Zion [through which the crowds of pilgrims enter from all nations] more than all the dwellings of Jacob (Israel).

3. Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God. Selah [pause, and calmly realize what that means]!

4. I will make mention of Rahab [the poetic name for Egypt] and Babylon as among those who know [the city of God]–behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Ethiopia (Cush)–[saying], This man was born there.

5. Yes, of Zion it shall be said, This man and that man were born in her, for the Most High Himself will establish her.

6. The Lord shall count, when He registers the peoples, that this man was born there. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

7. The singers as well as the players on instruments shall say, All my springs (my sources of life and joy) are in you [city of our God].