Psalm 87:4, Isaiah 51:9 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 87:4-7

Zion is here compared with other places, and preferred before them; the church of Christ is more glorious and excellent than the nations of the earth. 1. It is owned that other places have their glories (Ps. 87:4): ?I will make mention of Rahab? (that is, Egypt) ?and Babylon, to those that know me and are about me, and with whom I discourse about public affairs; behold Philistia and Tyre, with Ethiopia? (or rather Arabia), ?we will observe that this man was born there; here and there one... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 87:4

I will make mention of Rahab ,.... Not of Rahab the harlot, as Jerom and others of the ancients F25 Aug. Euthymius, Theodoret, & alii, in Amama, Antibarbar. Bibl. I. 3. p. 820. interpret it; for the letters of both words are not the same in Hebrew; though mention is made of her in the Gospel, and Gospel times, in the genealogy of Christ, and by two of the apostles, Matthew 1:5 , but of Egypt; and so the Targum interprets it, which is so called, as it is in Psalm 89:10 either... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 87:4

I will make mention of Rahab - The meaning seems to be, Rahab, i.e., Egypt, Babylon, Tyre, Philistia, and Ethiopia are not so honorable as Jerusalem. To be born in any of them is no privilege when compared with being a native of Jerusalem: their cities are but heads of villages; Jerusalem alone is a City. I have met with a very similar sentiment in a Persian work, of which I know not the author: Tche Mesr , o tche Sham , o tche Birr o Buhr . Heme rustaee and read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 87:4

Verse 4 4I will make mention of Rahab and Babel. The name of Rahab is put for Egypt in many other parts of Scripture; and this signification is very suitable to the present passage, the object of which is to portray the magnificent amplitude of the Church, which as yet was only matter of hope. It is therefore said that those who formerly were deadly enemies, or entire strangers, shall not only become familiar friends, but shall also be ingrafted into one body, that they may be accounted... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 87:1-7

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 87:1-7

The habitation of God. This psalm is true, whether we apply it— I. TO ISRAEL OF OLD , God's ancient people. That the writer had them in his mind, there can be no doubt, whatever other applications we may make of his words. Like the other psalms "for the sons of Korah," it most probably belongs to the days of Hezekiah. The sons of Korah were the keepers of those "gates" which in this psalm, as in Psalms 84:1-12 ; they celebrate; and the triumph of which they tell harmonizes... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 87:1-7

The glory of the Church. I. IN ITS FOUNDATION . "In the holy mountains." 1 . It is founded in the nature of God. In the Divine love. "The Lord loveth the gates of Zion," etc. 2 . It is founded also in the nature of man . In his spiritual nature, affinities, and needs. The Church, therefore, has sacred foundations: "and the gates of hell shall not prevail against her." II. IT IS CALLED THE CITY OF GOD . 1 . It Consists of the highest social... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 87:4

I will make mention of Rahab; i.e. of Egypt. The context requires this meaning, which is found also in Psalms 89:10 and in Isaiah 51:9 . Literally " Rahab " means "pride, arrogance." And Babylon. The fitting counterpart of Egypt, equally antagonistic to Israel, and equally lifted up with pride and presumption. To them that know me; rather, among them that know me ; i.e. as belonging to them, included in their number (comp. Isaiah 19:21 , "And the Lord shall be known to the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 87:4-6

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 ( Psalms 87:4 ), and will place these strangers on a par with such as have belonged to his Church from their birth ( Psalms 87:4 , Psalms 87:5 , Psalms 87:6 ), admitting them to every blessing and every privilege. The Church, thus augmented, shall be taken under his own protection, and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 87:4

I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon ... - The word Rahab here refers to Egypt. See Isaiah 51:9. It is also applied to Egypt in Psalms 89:10. The reason why the name was given to Egypt is not certainly known. The Hebrew word properly means fierceness, insolence, pride; and it may have been given to Egypt by the Hebrews on account of its haughtiness, pride, and insolence. It has been supposed by some (Jablonski, Opusc. i. 228) that the name is of Egyptian origin, but this has not been... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 87:4-7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 87:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 87:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 87:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 87:1-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 87:1-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 87:1-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 87:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 87:4-6

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 87:4

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