The Meaning of Psalms 87:4 Explained

Psalms 87:4

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

YLT: I mention Rahab and Babel to those knowing Me, Lo, Philistia, and Tyre, with Cush! This one was born there.

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

ASV: 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.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Psalms 87:4 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 87:1-7 - Citizens Of Zion
This psalm blends in one great congregation the ancient foes of Israel and the Chosen People. It is a vision of the Holy Universal Church. The Selahs divide it into three parts:
Psalms 87:1-3
This is an outburst of rapturous praise. Zion's foundations are in the mountains, and her gates are dear to God. Far and wide men recount her glories and triumphs. But how much greater is the glory of the Church, which is founded on Christ's finished work and ruled by Him from heaven. The Church is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and a light shines from her into all the world.
Psalms 87:4-6
The ancient enemies of Zion contribute their children to the Church. Egypt or Rahab no longer dreaded and despised; Babylon no longer detested for its tyranny; Philistia and Ethiopia, once far off, now made nigh. They come from the East and West, and sit down at the feast of fat things of which Isaiah sang, Isaiah 25:6.
Psalms 87:7
A triumphal procession passes before us, confessing that the springs of the true life are to be found in the Church, because they are fed from the great depths of Eternal Love and Life. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 87

1  The nature and glory of the church
4  The increase, honor, and comfort of the members thereof

What do the individual words in Psalms 87:4 mean?

I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to those who know Me behold Philistia and Tyre with Ethiopia this [one] was born there
אַזְכִּ֤יר ׀ רַ֥הַב וּבָבֶ֗ל לְֽיֹ֫דְעָ֥י הִנֵּ֤ה פְלֶ֣שֶׁת וְצ֣וֹר עִם־ כּ֑וּשׁ זֶ֝֗ה יֻלַּד־ שָֽׁם

אַזְכִּ֤יר ׀  I  will  make  mention 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, first person common singular
Root: זָכַר 
Sense: to remember, recall, call to mind.
רַ֥הַב  of  Rahab 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: רַהַב  
Sense: storm, arrogance (but only as names).
וּבָבֶ֗ל  and  Babylon 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: בָּבֶל  
Sense: Babel or Babylon, the ancient site and/or capital of Babylonia (modern Hillah) situated on the Euphrates.
לְֽיֹ֫דְעָ֥י  to  those  who  know  Me 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural construct, first person common singular
Root: דָּעָה 
Sense: to know.
הִנֵּ֤ה  behold 
Parse: Interjection
Root: הִנֵּה  
Sense: behold, lo, see, if.
פְלֶ֣שֶׁת  Philistia 
Parse: Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: פְּלֶשֶׁת  
Sense: the general territory on the west coast of Canaan or the entire country of Palestine.
וְצ֣וֹר  and  Tyre 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: צֹור 
Sense: the Phoenician city on the Mediterranean coast.
כּ֑וּשׁ  Ethiopia 
Parse: Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: כּוּשׁ 
Sense: a Benjamite mentioned only in the title of Ps 7.
זֶ֝֗ה  this  [one] 
Parse: Pronoun, masculine singular
Root: זֶה  
Sense: this, this one, here, which, this … that, the one … the other, another, such.
יֻלַּד־  was  born 
Parse: Verb, QalPass, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: יָלַד 
Sense: to bear, bring forth, beget, gender, travail.