I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.

PSALMS 87:4KJV
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Psalms 87:4 (KJV)

What does Psalms 87:4 mean?

Psalms 87:4 says that God will mention people from well-known foreign nations—Rahab (a poetic name for Egypt), Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Ethiopia—as being among those who know Him, and He will say of them, “This man was born there.” The verse highlights that people from these distant or even enemy lands are counted as citizens of Zion, God’s special city.

In this psalm, the speaker is celebrating Jerusalem (Zion) as a city uniquely loved by God. The verse pictures God Himself declaring that people from various powerful or famous nations are included among those who truly know Him, as if they were born in Zion. This shows a vision of God’s community being open to outsiders, not just native-born Israelites.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 87:4

  • mention (זָכַר, zakar): This word means “to remember” or “to make mention of.” Here, it shows God intentionally recognizing people from these nations, not forgetting them.
  • Rahab (רַהַב, Rahav): Used poetically for Egypt, this name carries a sense of pride or arrogance, but here it simply stands for the nation.
  • know (יָדַע, yada): This word means “to know” in a relational sense, not just intellectual knowledge. It suggests a real relationship with God, not just awareness of Him.
  • born (יָלַד, yalad): This is the regular word for being born. The verse uses it to say that people from these nations are counted as if they were born in Zion, giving them full belonging.

Why Psalms 87:4 matters

  • Psalms 87:4 shows that God’s people are not limited by ethnicity or birthplace; even those from rival or distant nations can be counted as citizens of Zion.
  • The verse emphasizes God’s initiative in including outsiders, making it clear that belonging to God’s community is not just about heritage.
  • This verse connects to the wider psalm, which celebrates Zion as a spiritual home for people from all nations, hinting at a broader vision of God’s family.

Where else these words appear

“Rahab” Hebrew H7294 · used in 3 verses

  • Psalms 89:10 Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm.
  • Isaiah 51:9 Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon?

“Philistia” Hebrew H6429 · used in 8 verses

  • Exodus 15:14 The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.
  • Psalms 83:7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;
  • Isaiah 14:29 Rejoice not thou, whole Palestina, because the rod of him that smote thee is broken: for out of the serpent's root shall come forth a cockatrice, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent.

“Ethiopia” Hebrew H3568 · used in 30 verses

  • Genesis 2:13 And the name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia.
  • Esther 8:9 Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.
  • Isaiah 43:3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.

“Tyre” Hebrew H6865 · used in 39 verses

  • Joshua 19:29 And then the coast turneth to Ramah, and to the strong city Tyre; and the coast turneth to Hosah; and the outgoings thereof are at the sea from the coast to Achzib:
  • Isaiah 23:1 The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them.
  • Ezekiel 27:2 Now, thou son of man, take up a lamentation for Tyrus;