How does Psalm 87:4 highlight God's inclusivity in His kingdom? Setting the Scene: Psalm 87 – A Song about Zion “Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God.” (Psalm 87:3) sets the tone: Zion is God’s chosen dwelling, the place of His manifest presence and favor. The Verse in Focus “I will mention Rahab and Babylon among those who know Me—along with Philistia, Tyre, and Cush—when I say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’” Who Are These Nations? • Rahab – poetic name for Egypt, Israel’s former oppressor (Isaiah 30:7) • Babylon – future captor of Judah (2 Kings 25) • Philistia – long-standing enemy on Israel’s western border (1 Samuel 17) • Tyre – wealthy, self-sufficient Phoenician port (Ezekiel 26) • Cush – distant African kingdom south of Egypt (Isaiah 18:1) These represent the full spectrum: near and far, rich and poor, friend and foe. What God Declares • “I will mention…” – God Himself does the naming; inclusion starts with Him. • “…among those who know Me” – intimate covenant language extended to outsiders. • “‘This one was born in Zion’” – grants new birthright; foreigners receive the same citizenship as native Israelites (cf. John 3:5-8; Ephesians 2:13-19). The Thread Woven through Scripture • Isaiah 19:24-25 – “Egypt My people… Assyria the work of My hands” • Isaiah 56:6-7 – foreigners who join themselves to the LORD are welcomed to His altar • Jonah 4:11 – God’s compassion for Nineveh • Acts 10:34-35 – “God does not show favoritism” • Galatians 3:28 – “all one in Christ Jesus” • Revelation 7:9 – a multitude “from every nation, tribe, people, and tongue” Why This Is Literally Good News • God’s covenant love was never limited to a single ethnicity. • Nations once hostile to Israel are prophetically called Zion’s children. • God’s redemptive plan anticipates the gospel’s reach to “the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). • The verse guarantees that no past enmity, cultural distance, or societal barrier can invalidate saving faith. Practical Takeaways for Believers • Celebrate God’s heart for all peoples; resist elitism in any form. • Pray and labor for gospel advance among today’s “Rahab, Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Cush.” • Welcome fellow believers from every background as equal citizens of God’s household. • Anchor hope in the certainty that God’s kingdom will include a redeemed family far larger and more diverse than human expectations. In Short Psalm 87:4 pictures the King of Zion joyfully enrolling even former enemies as native-born citizens. The verse showcases the boundless reach of divine grace, assuring us that God’s kingdom is gloriously inclusive while remaining utterly faithful to His Word. |
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