Psalm-87

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Tanakh versions:

Throughout this site I may use any of the following three versions of the TaNaKh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF).

Colour coded details of the - TaNaKh:

1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.

*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.

Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold

wondrous things out of Thy Law!

Tehillim - Psalm 119:18..

(JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).

Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.

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Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!

“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).

However, sadly both the later priests as well as our rabbis of long ago have shamefully disobeyed this command of אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם קָדוֹשׁוֹ - ‘Baruch Shem Kadosho’ – ‘Blessed be His Holy Name!’

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“Tehillim-Psalm 87”

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

Introduction:

Psalm 87 is a short, lyrical song of the sons of Korah celebrating Zion as the divinely chosen city where peoples are counted as born; it blends local cultic imagery with a universal hope that nations are known to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God) through Zion. The Psalm’s tone is both ‘civic’ and ‘'mystical’, suitable for liturgical singing and homiletic exposition.

Let us now read Tehillim - Psalms Chapter 87: (JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).

1. “A Psalm of the sons of Korah; a Song. His foundation is in the holy mountains.
2. יְהוָה - the LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
3. Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of אֱלֹהִים. Selah
4. ‘I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon as among them that know Me; behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this one was born there’.
5. But of Zion it shall be said: ;This man and that was born in her; and the Most High Himself doth establish her’.
6. יְהוָה - the LORD shall count in the register of the peoples: ‘This one was born there’. Selah.
7. And whether they sing or dance, all my thoughts are in thee”.

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Let us now check the ‘verse by verse’ series, which has the explanations:

Verse 1. “His foundation is in the holy mountains”.

Explanation: The Psalmist roots the song in sacred geography, Zion/Jerusalem is the spiritual foundation, the axis where divine presence and communal identity meet.

Verse 2. “יְהוָה - the LORD loveth the gates of Zion More than all the dwellings of Jacob”.

Explanation: “Gates” symbolize access and community life; אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s special love for Zion expresses covenantal preference without negating care for the wider Israel.

Verse 3. “Glorious things are spoken of Thee, O city of אֱלֹהִים. Selah”.

Explanation: The city’s reputation for divine favour and glorious destiny is celebrated; Selah, invites pause to meditate on that reputation.

Verse 4. ‘I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon…’

Explanation: Listing foreign lands (Rahab = Egypt or a poetic name; Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, Ethiopia) signals universal recognition, even nations are counted among those who “know” אֱלֹהִים through Zion.

Verse 5. ‘This man and that was born in her; And the Most High Himself doth establish her’.

Explanation: Birth imagery conveys citizenship and belonging; אֱלֹהִים Himself secures Zion’s status, a theological claim about divine establishment, not mere human polity.

Verse 6. ‘יְהוָה - the LORD shall count in the register of the peoples: ‘This one was born there.’ Selah.

Explanation: The heavenly register evokes divine record keeping: being inscribed there is the ultimate affirmation of identity and destiny; pause again to reflect.

Verse 7. “And whether they sing or dance, All my thoughts are in Thee”.

Explanation: Worship (song, dance) and the Psalmist’s constant devotion converge: every act of joy is oriented toward Zion, the locus of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s presence.

My Closing Message:

Psalm 87 invites leaders and learners to see Zion as both a local center of worship and a symbol of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s inclusive claim on the nations; teach it as a model where civic identity and spiritual belonging meet, and encourage congregations to read their local community through the lens of Divine hospitality and universal hope.

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This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!

Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following via several of our prophets...

“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (JPS).

And Remember ...

Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat Shalom!

אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ אוֹתָם

וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם

“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem; walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem”. Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).

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“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;

“The More Torah, the More Life”

For אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, Blessed be His Sanctified Name,

He is the one who gave us our Life!”

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

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