Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 87:4
I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this [man] was born there.
4. God Himself is the speaker (cp. Psa 60:6 ff.). I will make mention of, solemnly and publicly acknowledge, Rahab and Babylon, as among them that know me, that own Me as their God and worship Me. Cp. Psa 36:10; Psa 9:10; Psa 5:11; Isa 19:21. Rahab [48] is a nickname for Egypt (Isa 30:7; Isa 51:9; Psa 89:10). It may have been the name of some mythological sea-monster (Job 26:12; Job 9:13, R.V.) chosen as an emblem of Egypt (cp. Isa 51:9), or it may simply mean ‘Arrogance.’ Its use here is significant: the ferocious monster is tamed; the blustering antagonist is reconciled.
[48] It may be noted that this name is differently spelt in Hebrew from Rahab in Jos 22:1 ff., and is derived from a different root. This is Rhb, that Rchb.
Behold &c.] God points as it were to each of these nations in succession and says, This one was born there, namely in Zion. By this divine edict each of them is invested with the full rights and privileges of citizenship as though they had been born in Zion.
It is God’s purpose to reconcile all nations to Himself. Egypt, the world-power of the South, the ancient and hereditary enemy of God’s people; Babylon, the world-power of the North, the cruel oppressor of later times; warlike Philistia, by which Israel had so often been harassed; proud Tyre, the haughty representative of commerce and wealth; distant Ethiopia, famous for its stalwart warriors (Isa 18:7); all will be brought to recognise Jehovah as their God; all shall be incorporated into the commonwealth of Israel (Eph 2:12). The thought is the same as that of Isa 19:24-25, though it is expressed in different language.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
4 6. The nations of the world shall be enrolled as Zion’s children; and Zion shall be glorified by this accession of unnumbered fresh citizens.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon … – The word Rahab here refers to Egypt. See Isa 51:9. It is also applied to Egypt in Psa 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 clearly made out. (Gesenius, Lexicon) Egypt, Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Ethiopia, are mentioned here as among the best known nations and cities of the world; as places where it would commonly be regarded as an honor to have been born. The meaning is, I will refer to these as places well-known and distinguished; I will refer to the honor of having been born there; but great as is such an honor, the honor of having been born in Zion is far above that; it conveys the idea of a much higher distinction; it should be more sacredly cherished as among those things on which men value themselves. The word I here seems to have reference to the psalmist, and not to God. The psalmist is mentioning what to him would seem to have a claim to the highest honor.
Philistia – The western portion of Palestine, from which the whole country was afterward named. See the notes at Psa 60:8; compare Psa 108:9; Isa 14:29, Isa 14:31. And Tyre. See Psa 45:12, note; Isa 23:1, note.
With Ethiopia – Hebrew, Cush. The reference here is probably to the southern portion of Arabia. See Psa 68:31, note; Isa 18:1, note.
This man was born there – That is, It would be said of individuals that they were born in one of those places, and it would be regarded as an honor thus to have been born. People would pride themselves on the fact that they were born there, and the world would hold them in esteem on that account. This refers to a very natural, and a very common feeling among people. We can, of course, claim no credit, and deserve no real honor, on account of the place where we happen to have been born; but the fact that one has been born in a place distinguished for its advantages and its fame, – in a place where liberty, religion, and the arts have flourishcd – in a place renowned for its public spirit, and for producing illustrious people, – may be properly accounted as an occasion for gratitude, and as a stimulus to high and honorable efforts, and may thus be made an important auxiliary to virtue, patriotism, and piety.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 4. I will make mention of Rahab] The meaning seems to be, Rahab, i.e., Egypt, Babylon, Tyre, Philistia, and Ethiopia are not so honourable 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:
[—Persic—]
[—Persic—]
Tche Mesr, o tche Sham, o tche Birr o Buhr.
Heme rustaee and, we Sheerazee Shuhr.
What celebrity can Egypt or Syria, or any thing on earth or
on the sea, pretend to?
“When compared to Sheeraz, those are but villages, but this
alone is a CITY.”
The meaning seems to be the same in both the Hebrew and Persian poet.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
I will make mention, i.e. I will reckon or account them in the number of my children and subjects.
Rahab, i.e. Egypt, so called, Psa 89:10; Isa 51:9, but whether from its pride, or natural strength, or figure, or shape, is not material.
And Babylon: under these two and Philistia, the old and constant enemies of Israel, he seems to understand all the keenest enemies of the Israel or church of God, who shall now be not only reconciled, but united to them; which also was foretold under the similitude of the wolfs dwelling with the lamb, &c., Isa 11:6. To them; or, with or among them, as the prefix lamed is frequently used.
That know me, to wit, truly, clearly, affectionately, and practically, so as to love, serve, and obey me, as this phrase is very frequently used in Scripture. And upon this account, not only heathens, but wicked Israelites, are said not to know God, as 1Sa 2:12, and oft elsewhere.
Behold; take notice of it as a thing new, and strange, and comfortable.
Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; the nations on every side of them; for Tyrus was on the north, Ethiopia or Arabia (for that seems rather to be meant by Cush, as hath been before observed) on the south, those nearest to them, and those more remote from them, that lived in the uttermost parts of the earth, as this very land is called, Mat 12:42. This man was born there; or, saying, This man, &c., for this cohereth with the first words thus, I will make mention of Rahab, &c., saying, This man (i.e. these men or people now mentioned, the singular number put collectively for the plural; and the Scripture oft speaks of a nation as of one man, as Psa 25:22; 130:8) was born there, or in her, as it is expressed, Psa 87:5, to wit, in Zion; born by adoption and regeneration. See Joh 1:12; 3:3,7; Ga 3:26; 4:26; 1Pe 1:23. The Gentiles shall be ingrafted into the Jewish church, and into all their privileges.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
4. This is what is spoken byGod.
to them . . . meliterally,”for My knowers,” they are true worshippers (Psa 36:10;Isa 19:21). These are mentionedas specimens.
thisthat is, nation
was born thereOf eachit is said, “This was born,” or is a native of Zion,spiritually.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
I will make mention of Rahab,…. Not of Rahab the harlot, as Jerom and others of the ancients y 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, Mt 1:5, but of Egypt; and so the Targum interprets it, which is so called, as it is in Ps 89:10 either from the pride of its inhabitants, the word having in it the sense of pride and haughtiness, and these being naturally proud and haughty, as Philo z the Jew observes; or from some city of this name in it; or rather this respects that part of Egypt called Delta, which was in the form of a pear; which “raab”, or “rib”, in the Egyptian language, signifies; in the midst of which was the city of Athribis of Ptolemy a, which has its name from hence, and signifies the heart of a pear; and still this part of the country is called Errifia, as Leo Africanus b relates, and is here put for the whole country: the passage respects the conversion of it, and are the words of God foretelling it, and of which mention is made in
Isa 19:18 and had its accomplishment, at least in part, on the day of Pentecost, Ac 2:10 and will be further accomplished in the latter day, when the people that now inhabit that country shall be converted, which will be when the kingdoms of this world become Christ’s: and Babylon; the country of the Assyrians and Chaldeans, of which Babylon was the metropolis: mention is made of the conversion of these in Isa 19:24 and which also was fulfilled, in part, on the day of Pentecost, Ac 2:9 and in Babylon there was a church, in the times of the Apostle Peter, 1Pe 5:13 these the Lord promises that he would make mention of:
to them that know me; says he, that so they might expect their conversion, and take notice of them, and receive them, when converted;
or among them that know me c; that is, I will make mention of them, as such that know me, and belong to that number; even such that love the Lord, believe in him, own and confess him, and yield obedience to him, and whom he takes into communion and fellowship with himself, and makes his friends, familiars, and acquaintance:
behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; where also will be many converts, regenerate persons, and such as know the Lord; of which there has been a partial accomplishment already; of Philistia, see Ac 8:40, for Azotus, or Ashdod, was a city of the Philistines; and of Tyre, see
Ps 45:12 and of Ethiopia, and its conversion, mention is made in Ps 68:31, and the Ethiopian eunuch is one instance of it, Ac 8:27 of all which there will be abundance of instances in the latter day; and thus, as the church is commended from her foundation, from the superlative love the Lord bears to her, and the glorious things spoken of her; so from the number of her converts in different nations, in which her glory in Gospel times would greatly lie; see
Isa 49:18,
this man was born there; not any particular man; any single individual, famous for piety, wisdom, wealth, or power; as if it suggested that now and then such a person might be born in the above countries; whereas in Zion there were frequently many such persons born: nor is it to be understood of the Messiah, that should come out of Zion, as if that was the reason why multitudes from the above places should flock thither, because of the birth of this illustrious Person: the Targum understands it of a great personage, a king; and paraphrases it,
“a king is educated there;”
but it designs many persons in each of those countries that should be born again, of water, and of the Spirit, of the incorruptible seed of grace, by the ministry of the word; who, because they should be regenerated by means of the Gospel preached in Zion, therefore are said to be born there; and besides, being born again, they are admitted members of Zion, and to all the privileges of Zion, as true born Israelites; and are brought up there, are nourished with the sincere milk of the word, and nursed with the breasts of Gospel ordinances there administered; and so Zion, or Jerusalem, the Gospel church, is truly the mother of them all, Ga 4:26.
y Aug. Euthymius, Theodoret, alii, in Amama, Antibarbar. Bibl. I. 3. p. 820. z De Agricultura, p. 196. a Geograph. l. 4. c. 5. b Descriptio Africae, l. 8. c. 2. c “inter scientes me”, Vatablus, Gejerus, Schmidt “apud noscentes me”, Junius Tremellius “apud familiares meos”, Piscator; “apud notos meos”, Amama.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
| The Glory of Zion. | |
4 I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there. 5 And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her. 6 The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah. 7 As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.
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 (v. 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 famous man, eminent for knowledge and virtue, may be produced, that was a native of these countries; here and there one that becomes a proselyte and worshipper of the true God.” But some give another sense of it, supposing that it is a prophecy or promise of bringing the Gentiles into the church and of uniting them in one body with the Jews. God says, “I will reckon Egypt and Babylon with those that know me. I will reckon them my people as much as Israel when they shall receive the gospel of Christ, and own them as born in Zion, born again there, and admitted to the privileges of Zion as freely as a true-born Israelite.” Those that were strangers and foreigners became fellow-citizens with the saints, Eph. ii. 19. A Gentile convert shall stand upon a level with a native Jew; compare Isa. xix. 23-25. The Lord shall say, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance. 2. It is proved that the glory of Zion outshines them all, upon many accounts; for, (1.) Zion shall produce many great and good men that shall be famous in their generation, v. 5. Of Zion it shall be said by all her neighbours that this and that man were born in her, many men of renown for wisdom and piety, and especially for acquaintance with the words of God and the visions of the Almighty–many prophets and kings, who should be greater favourites of heaven, and greater blessings to the earth, than ever were bred in Egypt or Babylon. The worthies of the church far exceed those of heathen nations, and their names will shine brighter than in perpetual records. A man, a man was born in her, by which some understand Christ, that man, that son of man, who is fairer than the children of men; he was born at Bethlehem near Zion, and was the glory of his people Israel. The greatest honour that ever was put upon the Jewish nation was, that of them, as concerning the flesh, Christ came, Rom. ix. 5. Or this also may be applied to the conversion of the Gentiles. Of Zion it shall be said that the law which went forth out of Zion, the gospel of Christ, shall be an instrument to beget many souls to God, and the Jerusalem that is from above shall be acknowledged the mother of them all. (2.) Zion’s interest shall be strengthened and settled by an almighty power. The Highest himself shall undertake to establish her, who can do it effectually; the accession of proselytes out of various nations shall be so far from occasioning discord and division that it shall contribute greatly to Zion’s strength; for, God himself having founded her upon an everlasting foundation, whatever convulsions and revolutions there are of states and kingdoms, and however heaven and earth may be shaken, these are things which cannot be shaken, but must remain. (3.) Zion’s sons shall be registered with honour (v. 6): “The Lord shall count, when he writes up the people, and takes a catalogue of his subjects, that this man was born there, and so is a subject by birth, by the first birth, being born in his house–by the second birth, being born again of his Spirit.” When God comes to reckon with the children of men, that he may render to every man according to his works, he will observe who was born in Zion, and consequently enjoyed the privileges of God’s sanctuary, to whom pertained the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the service of God, Rom 9:4; Rom 3:1; Rom 3:2. For to them much was given, and therefore of them much will be required, and the account will be accordingly; five talents must be improved by those that were entrusted with five. I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, and where thou was born. Selah. Let those that dwell in Zion mark this, and live up to their profession. (4.) Zion’s songs shall be sung with joy and triumph: As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there to praise God, v. 7. It was much to the honour of Zion, and is to the honour of the gospel-church, that there God is served and worshipped with rejoicing: his work is done, and done cheerfully; see Ps. lxviii. 25. All my springs are in thee, O Zion! So God says; he has deposited treasures of grace in his holy ordinances; there are the springs from which those streams take rise which make glad the city of our God, Ps. xlvi. 4. So the psalmist says, reckoning the springs from which his dry soul must be watered to lie in the sanctuary, in the word and ordinances, and in the communion of saints. The springs of the joy of a carnal worldling lie in wealth and pleasure; but the springs of the joy of a gracious soul lie in the word of God and prayer. Christ is the true temple; all our springs are in him, and from him all our streams flow. It pleased the Father, and all believers are well pleased with it too, that in him should all fulness dwell.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
4 I 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 citizens of Jerusalem. In the first clause it is said, I will make mention of Egypt and Babylon among my household. In the second, it is added, that the Philistines, Tyrians, and Ethiopians, who hitherto had been so much at variance with the people of God, shall now be brought into as cordial harmony with them as if they were Jews by birth. What a glorious distinction of the Church, that even those who held her in contempt shall come flocking to her from every quarter, and that those who desired to see her completely cut up and destroyed, shall consider it the highest honor to have a place among the number of her citizens, and to be accounted such! All of them shall voluntarily renounce their own countries in which they had before proudly boasted. Wherever they may have been born, whether in Palestine, or Ethiopia, or Tyre, they shall profess themselves citizens of the holy city.
The Hebrew doctors explain this passage as meaning, that there shall spring from other nations very few who shall excel either in mental endowment or in virtuous attainment, but that in Israel such persons will be very numerous. Scarcely, say they, will there be found among the Tyrians, the Egyptians, the Ethiopians, and other nations, a man to each of them worthy of praise; so that if such an one be found among them, he may be pointed at with the finger, on account of his rarity; but in Zion man and man shall be born; (500) that is to say, the number of such men among the Jews shall be great. Christian doctors are almost unanimous in referring these words to Christ, and think that the cause is here assigned why those who hitherto were strangers, and even mortal enemies to each other, are now to be numbered among the citizens of Jerusalem, namely, because Christ shall be born there, (501) whose office it is to gather together into the unity of faith and hope of eternal life, men who were scattered like members torn from the body. The first of these interpretations being altogether forced, needs no refutation. Moreover, it is very evident that the Jews, actuated by a foolish ambition, wrest this passage as it were purposely. The exposition of the Christian doctors is, at first sight, plausible from its ingenuity; but it is destitute of solidity. The words clearly imply, that whatever nation men may belong to, they shall willingly renounce their own country, to be enrolled in the Register of the chosen people. When it is said, that they are born there, this does not mean that they are natives of the country, and have been brought up in it from their birth, but that they are its citizens. What is added afterwards, The Most High himself will establish her, may, with equal propriety, be translated, will order her; it being the work of God specially to govern his Church by his word.
(500) “These nations, as amongst those best known to the Jews, typify the entire Gentile world; and are intended to declare the accession of all the earth to the faith of Christianity.” — Tucker.
(501) “ But of Zion it shall be said, He and He were born there; i. e. , not one, but many men of note.” — Geddes.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(4) This verse may be paraphrased
I will mention to my intimates Rahab and Babylon; (I will say) look at Philistia and Tyreyes, and even Ethiopia. So-and-so was born there.
The last clause is literally this was born there, and on its reference the whole meaning of the verse and the whole intention of the psalm turn. Now immediately after the mention of a place, there must surely refer to that place, and not to a place mentioned in the previous verse and there too addressed as in the second person. The demonstrative this, is evidently used in a general way. (Comp. the fuller form, Jdg. 18:4, &c.) The poet begins his special addition to the praises of Zion, by enumerating various renowned nations much in the same way as Horaces
Laudabunt alii claram Rhodon, aut Mitylenen.
only instead of leaving them as a theme to others he tells us what he himself in ordinary conversation might say of these places, and of the estimation in which their natives were held. It is hardly possible to escape from the conclusion that the Palestinian Jew is here implying his superiority to those of his race who were born abroad, a spirit shown so strongly in the relations of the Hebrews to the Hellenistic Jews in the New Testament.
Rahab undoubtedly stands for Egypt, but the exact origin of the term and of its connection with Egypt is much disputed. Most probably it is a term (possibly Coptic) for some large sea or river monster symbolic of Egypt. (Comp. the word dragons, Psa. 74:13, and see Job. 9:13; Job. 26:12.)
EthiopiaHeb., Khsh (in Authorised Version Cush). (See Gen. 10:6 : 2Ki. 19:9.)
There is no need with our explanation to look for emblematic reasons for the choice of names in this verseas Egypt for antiquity; Babylon, strength; Tyre, wealth, &c. There is no one of the districts where Jews of the Dispersion might not have been found, but no doubt in his enumeration the poet takes care to mention countries near and far, as Philistia and Ethiopia. There appears, however, to have been a district in Babylonia known to the Hebrews as Khsh (Lenormant, Origines de lHistoire; and see a paper on the site of Eden, in the Nineteenth Century for October, 1882). The parallelism would be improved by this reference here.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
4. I will make mention As examples.
Rahab Or, the sea monster, the people of tumultuous violence; a title poetically given to Egypt in the later books, (Psa 89:10; Isa 51:9; Isa 30:7,) where “strength” in the common version is Rahab in the Hebrew, and seems to be an allusion to the inactivity of the crocodile combined with his proverbial strength and violence. Lowth translates: “Rahab the inactive;” and Gesenius, “Violence, or, the violent, they sit still.” See Eze 29:3; Eze 32:2.
Babylon Hebrew, Babel, the first of the kingdoms, (Gen 10:10,) and now the ruling power of western Asia.
To them that know me Rather, Of them that know me. He speaks of them as of nations to whom had been given great opportunity to know the true God, one the ruling power in the south and the other in the north and east. Both in turn had held Jehovah’s people in bondage, and from both had they been delivered by most signal manifestations of God. See Isa 19:21: “And the Egyptians shall know the Lord in that day.”
Philistia A strong military people on the southwest coast of Palestine, the constant enemy of Israel.
Tyre The chief city of Phoenicia on the northwest coast, and the great commercial city of the world; once the friendly ally, now the jealous enemy, of the Hebrew power.
Ethiopia Hebrew, Cush, from the father of the numerous Cushite race, (Gen 10:7,) the name applied to the country east of the Euphrates, (Gen 2:13,) afterward to Arabia, (Num 12:1; 1Ch 21:16; Heb 3:7,) and also to “ Ethiopia” proper, or the African country south of Egypt. Psa 68:31; Isa 43:3; Isa 45:14. In the widest sense it denotes southern country, on account of the dark colour of the inhabitants. In the text it means either Arabia Felix or Ethiopia proper.
This man was born there The point of the allusion is, to the honour which a man derives from being a native citizen of any renowned country, or that a government feels in claiming that such or such a man was one of her native born sons. Thus seven illustrious cities claimed the honour of having given birth to Homer. See Act 16:37; Act 22:25-28. The argument is, that if citizenship in any given country confers honour, much more, by the same rule, shall Jerusalem be honoured, for of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her, literally, A man and a man were born in her. The repetition gives intensity, and denotes that multitudes, or vast numbers, shall be born in her, so that both the quality and greater numbers of her “born” citizens shall give her the pre-eminence. The spiritual sense must predominate here, the “Jerusalem” and the “Zion” representing the Church, (Gal 4:26; Heb 12:22,) and the native born citizen he that is born of God. Joh 3:5.
Shall establish her Comp, Psa 87:1. God has founded his city, or Church, and this is the guaranty of her stability and renown.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 87:4. I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon Shall I celebrate Egypt and Babylon to them that know me? Behold, O Phistia, Tyre, and Cush, such a man was born there.”Is this his honour, shall I mention this as his privilege, that he was born in one or other of those celebrated cities and countries? No; But of Sion it shall be said, this or the other person was born in her. To be a citizen of any other place, is an honour nothing comparable to that of being a citizen of Sion.” Thus Buchanan seems to have understood the words in his elegant version:
Tecumne Babylon se audeat componere?
Tecumne Memphis insolens? Praeclara quamvis et Palaestina et Tyros Jactet virorum Robora: Nihil ad Sionem fortibus foetam viris, Favore tutam Numinis.
R. S. Jarchi also expounds the words much in the same manner. “The Philistines, &c. extol Egypt and Babylon, nations celebrated for antiquity, learning, and arts, when they say, Such a man was born there. But that praise which formerly belonged to them shall now return to Sion; of which it shall with much more justice be said to his honour, This or the other person was born there.” The privileges of being citizens of Sion were unspeakably greater than what the inhabitants of any other city in the world were entitled to; as the city had God for its founder, as the ark of his presence dwelt in it, as the solemnities of his worship were with great magnificence performed there, as it was governed by his laws, and as it was under his immediate and constant protection. In these things no other city could compare or vie with it.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
This verse throws great light upon the glorious things spoken of before. For the words are as if Jehovah had said, I will cause it to be remembered by them, who knew me in Rahab and Babylon, here was the man born. And who but Christ could be the man born in Zion, to be the Saviour of his church, which is his body, whether called from Rahab and Babylon, Philistia or Tyre? So Jehovah declared, when proclaiming it a light thing to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel, I will also give thee, said Jehovah, for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation, unto the ends of the earth. Isa 49:6 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 87:4 I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this [man] was born there.
Ver. 4. I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon ] Rahab is Egypt, and so called for its strength and pride. Babel, the chief city of the Babylonians. These were deadly enemies to Jerusalem, which was ground between them as between a pair of millstones, but they shall be reckoned hereafter, saith God, among his domestics, among those that know me, or rather are known of me. See Isa 19:19 ; Isa 19:21 ; Isa 19:25 1Pe 5:13 .
Behold Philistia
And Tyre
With Ethiopia
This man was born there
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Rahab = pride, or haughtiness. Used as name for Egypt (by Figure of speech Polyonymia, App-6), as in Psa 89:10; Isa 51:9. Compare Job 9:13 with Job 26:12, not the same word as in Joshua 2.
Ethiopia. Supply Ellipsis of the verb “say”: “Tyre with Ethiopia [say]” this, &c.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Psa 87:4-6
Psa 87:4-6
THE GLORIOUS THINGS
“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.
Yea, of Zion it shall be said,
This one and that one was born in her;
And the Most High himself will establish her.
Jehovah will count, when he writeth up the peoples,
This one was born there. (Selah)”
“Rahab and Babylon” (Psa 87:4). “Rahab” here is a poetic word for Egypt; and the thought is that God shall be worshipped even in the oldest nations of the world. These nations, of course, were among the bitterest enemies of Israel and of Israel’s God; and “The thought is that, Those who were once strangers and foreigners shall become fellow-citizens with the saints of God (Eph 2:19).”`
“This one was born there” (Psa 87:4). This is not a reference to merely one, for it becomes, “This one and that one” in Psa 87:5; and in Psa 87:6, it is revealed that when God “writes up the peoples of the earth,” when he calculates the number of the redeemed, he shall count only those who indeed were “born in her.”
All of the other nations mentioned in the passage are merely representatives of “all nations,” harking back to God’s promise to Abraham, “in thee and in thy seed, all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Gen 28:14).
Thus what is prophesied here is the worldwide triumph of the gospel of Christ. All nations and all countries shall be represented in the roster of the redeemed.
“The Most High himself shall establish her” (Psa 87:5). Christ established His Church upon the Rock, that Rock being Christ himself; and that foundation is the most sure of anything in heaven or upon earth.
E.M. Zerr:
Psa 87:4. The preceding verse said that important things had been said or spoken of Zion, which referred to the capital city of God. Among them was the fact that even outside territories were benefited by that city; that is, by the good influences radiating from it. Some of those places are named in the verse. Rahab (a poetical name for Egypt), and Babylon were to be mentioned as places that had been benefited by Zion. God would mention it to them that know God. Philistia or Philistines (from which came the name “Palestine” for the country in general), Tyre and Ethiopia were all benefited by Zion. Man is not in the original and is not useful to the sense of the verse. The clause means that this trio of places (just mentioned) was born or received good effects there (Zion).
Psa 87:5. To be born in Zion does not mean that the men had their bodily birth there. The idea is that they received their opportunity for accomplishing things from that source. Zion was to be established or made secure by the highest, meaning God.
Psa 87:6. When the Lord makes his list (writeth up) of men whom he will recognize, he will include those who had been connected with Zion.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Rahab: Psa 89:10, Isa 51:9
Babylon: Psa 137:1, Psa 137:8, Psa 137:9, 2Ki 20:17, 2Ki 20:18, Isa 13:1-22, Isa 14:4-6, Jer 25:9, Jer 50:1 – Jer 51:64, Dan 2:47, Dan 2:48, Dan 4:30, Rev 17:5, Rev 18:2
Tyre: Psa 45:12, Isa 23:1-18, Eze 27:1 – Eze 28:26
Ethiopia: 1Ki 10:1-29, Act 8:27
this man: Psa 68:31, 1Sa 17:8, 2Sa 21:16-22, Isa 19:11, Isa 19:23-25, Eze 28:2
Reciprocal: Mar 3:8 – Tyre Act 21:3 – Tyre 1Pe 5:13 – at
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 87:4. I will make mention Hebrew, , azchir, I will record, or, cause to be remembered, Rahab That is, Egypt, so called, Psa 89:10; Isa 51:9, but whether from its pride, or natural strength, both which the word signifies, is not material; and Babylon I will reckon upon the inhabitants of Egypt and Babylon, though most alienated from the profession of the truth, yea, even on all the churchs enemies, as those that shall become members of it. For under these two, and Philistia, he seems to comprehend all the enemies of Gods people, of whom he prophesies that they should be not only reconciled, but united to them. To them that know me Or with, or among them, that is, with or among those that truly, affectionately, and practically know me; so as to love, serve, and obey me. I will reckon these nations among the number of those that shall be converted; or, among my worshippers, subjects, and children; they seem to be Gods words, foretelling that he would account, and cause these Gentiles to be recorded as his people, when they should receive the gospel of Christ, as truly as Israel was his people, and would own them as born in Zion, that is, born again there, and entitled to all its privileges as freely as true-born Israelites. That though they had been strangers and foreigners, they should become fellow-citizens with the saints, Eph 2:17. Thus Isa 19:23-25, The Lord shall say, Blessed be Egypt, my people, and Assyria, the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance. Behold Take notice of it, as a thing new, and strange, and delightful. Philistia and Tyre, with Ethiopia That is, the nations on every side of them, for Philistia was on the west, Tyre on the north, and Ethiopia, or Arabia, (which rather seems to be intended by the word Cush, here,) on the south. So that those nearest to them, and those more remote from them, are here mentioned, as converts to the gospel church: this man was born there Or, in her, as it is Psa 87:5, namely, born by adoption and regeneration, Joh 1:12; Joh 3:7; Gal 3:26; 1Pe 1:23; that is, the Gentiles, from all countries, shall be brought into the church of God, and be accounted genuine members thereof.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
87:4 I will make mention of {c} Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; {d} this [man] was born there.
(c) That is, Egypt and these other countries will come to the knowledge of God.
(d) It will be said of him who is regenerate and come to the Church, that he is as one who was born in the Church.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
2. The population of Zion 87:4-6
The English translators have rendered Psa 87:4 as a quotation. Who is saying these words? Evidently these are the words of those who speak glorious things concerning Zion (Psa 87:3). What are they saying? They appear to be ascribing equal glory to Zion with the other great nations mentioned. Rahab (lit. pride, tumult) is a nickname for Egypt (cf. Psa 89:10; Isa 30:7; Isa 51:9). It may have been the name of a powerful demonic force thought to be behind Egypt. [Note: A. Ross, p. 857.] The statement, "This one was born there," means, "I was born there." In other words, people would take pride in having been born in Zion as they did in having been born in one of these other great nations.
However, two kinds of people would trace their ancestry back to Zion in the future (Psa 87:5). Psa 87:5 apparently distinguishes those physically born there and those with spiritual roots there. The latter group would include all the redeemed, since Zion was the home of their heavenly Father (to use New Testament terminology).
When God judges all people, He will note that every redeemed person stemmed from Zion spiritually (Psa 87:6). Zion was not only the capital of the Israelites but it is also the home of many others who trust in Israel’s God (cf. Gal 4:26-27; Heb 12:22-24; Rev 3:12; Rev 21:2; Rev 21:10). In this way the psalmist showed the surpassing glory of Zion.
"These people who had come to faith in Yahweh as proselytes had been born in a variety of places, among ethnic peoples, across the known world. But in their coming to faith in the living God, He, Yahweh, declared them born ’again.’ They were ’born there,’ that is, in Zion. Here, then, is one passage in Hebrew Scripture to which Jesus may have alluded when He expected that Nicodemus knew about being ’born again’ (Joh 3:3; Joh 3:10)." [Note: Ronald B. Allen, "Psalms 87, A Song Rarely Sung," Bibliotheca Sacra 153:610 (April-June 1996):139-40.]