¹On the holy mountain

stands the city founded by the Lord .

²He loves the city of Jerusalem

more than any other city in Israel.

³O city of God,

what glorious things are said of you! Interlude

⁴I will count Egypt and Babylon among those who know me—[#87:4a Hebrew Rahab, the name of a mythical sea monster that represents chaos in ancient literature. The name is used here as a poetic name for Egypt.]

also Philistia and Tyre, and even distant Ethiopia.

They have all become citizens of Jerusalem!

⁵Regarding Jerusalem it will be said,[#87:5 Hebrew Zion.]

“Everyone enjoys the rights of citizenship there.”

And the Most High will personally bless this city.

⁶When the Lord registers the nations, he will say,

“They have all become citizens of Jerusalem.” Interlude

⁷The people will play flutes and sing,[#87:7 Or will dance.]

“The source of my life springs from Jerusalem!”