Bible Commentaries
Psalms 87

Bullinger's Companion Bible NotesBullinger's Companion Notes

Verse 1

Title. A Psalm. Hebrew. mizmor. App-65 .

Song. Hebrew. shir . App-65 .

for the sons of Korah: i.e. of or by them. This title is repeated in the sub-scription after Psalms 87:7 , to emphasise the occasion of its use in bringing up the Ark to Zion by David (951BC, a Sabbatic year). See note there, and on Title of Psalms 24:0 .

His: i.e. Jehovah's (which He has laid in Zion).

holy. See note on Exodus 3:5 .

Verse 2

The LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Zion. See App-68 .

Jacob. Israel viewed in connection with the natural seed, and with material blessings. See notes on Genesis 32:28 ; Genesis 43:6 ; Genesis 45:26 , Genesis 45:28 .

Verse 3

God. Hebrew. ha -' Elohim = the [true] God. App-4 .

Selah. Connecting the first alternation with the second, showing that it is to be a repeated alternation.

Verse 4

Rahab = pride, or haughtiness. Used as name for Egypt (by Figure of speech Polyonymia, App-6 ), as in Psalms 89:10 ; Isaiah 51:9 . Compare Job 9:13 with Job 26:12 , not the same word as in Joshua 2:0 .

Ethiopia. Supply Ellipsis of the verb "say": "Tyre with Ethiopia [say]" this, &c.

Verse 5

of = to.

man. Hebrew. 'ish .

the HIGHEST = the MOST HIGH. Hebrew. 'Elyon. App-4 .

Verse 6

writeth up = enrolleth.

people = peoples.

That. Instead of "That", supply "[and say] this one", &c.

Selah. Connecting the last repetition of the alternation, and completing the Structure. Thus, both the Selahs in this Psalm are structural.

Verse 7

the singers = they that shout.

the players on instruments = they that dance, as in bringing up the Ark. See note on the subscription.

shall be there. Supply Ellipsis : "[shall say of Zion]".

springs = fountains: i.e. fountains of delight.

A Song, &c. Repeated from the title. Compare Psalms 45:0 for a similar repetition.

to the chief Musician. See App-64 .

upon Mahalath Leannoth = relating to the shoutings with dancings in bringing up the Ark to Zion (2 Samuel 6:12-15 ; and 1 Chronicles 15:25-29 ). As in Judges 21:21 , Judges 21:23 (compare Revised Version), and see App-65 .

Bibliographical Information
Bullinger, Ethelbert William. "Commentary on Psalms 87". "Bullinger's Companion bible Notes". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bul/psalms-87.html. 1909-1922.