Psalm 87:6
The LORD will record in the register of the peoples: "This one was born in Zion." Selah
The LORD will record in the register of the peoples:

The Lord Himself will enroll men and women from the nations as belonging to Zion. His record is complete, personal, and righteous, identifying those received into His covenant people. The nations once known for opposition to Jerusalem—including Egypt, Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Cush—will not remain outside God’s saving purpose. Scripture later reveals the final judgment books and the book of life, where God’s perfect knowledge confirms both judgment and belonging (Exodus 32:32–33; Revelation 20:12).

Luk 10:20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you,…
Rev 3:5 Like them, he who overcomes will be dressed in white.…
Psa 69:28 May they be blotted out of the Book of Life…

“This one was born in Zion.”

The immediate picture is of people from foreign lands being counted as native-born citizens of Zion. God grants them a standing they could never obtain through natural descent or earthly heritage. The promise looks forward to the gathering of the nations under the reign of the Messiah, when believers from every people become fellow citizens in God’s household. Through Christ, those born again are joined to the heavenly Jerusalem and numbered among God’s redeemed people (John 3:3–7; Hebrews 12:22–23).

Isa 4:3 Whoever remains in Zion and whoever is left……
Heb 12:22-23 Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city…
Gal 4:26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.

Selah

The pause calls for reflection on the grace of God, who brings outsiders near and gives them a true home among His people.

Psa 3:2 Many say of me, “God will not deliver him.” Selah
Psa 4:4 Be angry, yet do not sin; on your bed, search your heart…
Hab 3:3 God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran.…

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD
The sovereign God who is the central figure in this verse, emphasizing His authority and omniscience.

2. Zion
A term often used to refer to Jerusalem, the city of God, symbolizing His presence and the spiritual center of His people.

3. The Peoples
Refers to the nations or groups of people outside of Israel, indicating the inclusivity of God's plan.

4. The Register
A metaphorical book or record that God keeps, signifying His knowledge and remembrance of His people.

5. Selah
A term used in the Psalms, possibly indicating a pause for reflection or emphasis on the preceding statement.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereign Record-Keeping
God knows and records those who belong to Him. This should bring comfort and assurance to believers that their identity is secure in Him.

Spiritual Birthright
Being "born in Zion" symbolizes a spiritual rebirth and identity in God's kingdom. Believers are called to live out this identity in their daily lives.

Inclusivity of God's Kingdom
The mention of "the peoples" highlights God's plan to include all nations in His redemptive work. Christians are encouraged to embrace and share the gospel with all people.

Reflection and Pause
The use of "Selah" invites believers to pause and reflect on the significance of their spiritual heritage and God's faithfulness.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does it mean to you personally that God records your name in His register? How does this impact your daily life?

2. How can the concept of being "born in Zion" influence your understanding of your identity in Christ?

3. In what ways can you actively participate in God's inclusive plan for all nations as described in this verse?

4. How does the assurance of being known by God provide comfort in times of uncertainty or doubt?

5. Reflect on the use of "Selah" in this verse. How can you incorporate moments of pause and reflection in your spiritual journey?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Revelation 21
This chapter describes the New Jerusalem, drawing a parallel to Zion as the ultimate dwelling place of God with His people, where all nations are welcomed.

Isaiah 4:3
Speaks of those who are recorded for life in Jerusalem, connecting to the idea of being registered by God.

Philippians 3:20
Discusses citizenship in heaven, which aligns with the concept of being born in Zion and having a spiritual identity in God's kingdom.
God Takes the CensusPsalm 87:6
Privileges of a BirthplaceR. Tuck Psalm 87:6
The Correct CensusSamuel Oliver.Psalm 87:6
The Last CensusPsalm 87:6
The Lord Shall CountS. Conway Psalm 87:6
A Material Portrait of the Spiritual ChurchHomilistPsalm 87:1-7
The City of GodJ. O. Keen, D. D.Psalm 87:1-7
The Glory of the ChurchC. Short Psalm 87:1-7
The Habitation of GodS. Conway Psalm 87:1-7
People
Heman, Jacob, Korah, Mahalath, Psalmist, Rahab
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Birth, Born, Count, Describing, Inscribeth, Mind, Peoples, Records, Recount, Register, Registers, Selah, Writes, Writeth, Writing, Zion
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 87:6

     5638   writing

Psalm 87:1-7

     7468   temple, rebuilding

Psalm 87:4-6

     5655   birth

Library
Whether Pain is a Passion of the Soul?
Objection 1: It would seem that pain is not a passion of the soul. Because no passion of the soul is in the body. But pain can be in the body, since Augustine says (De Vera Relig. xii), that "bodily pain is a sudden corruption of the well-being of that thing which the soul, by making evil use of it, made subject to corruption." Therefore pain is not a passion of the soul. Objection 2: Further, every passion of the soul belongs to the appetitive faculty. But pain does not belong to the appetitive,
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Ancient Church
THE ANCIENT CHURCH: Its History, Doctrine, Worship, and Constitution, Traced for the First Three Hundred Years. BY W.D. KILLEN, D.D. Professor of Ecclesiastical History and Pastoral Theology to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. "Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God." PSALM lxxxvii. 3. NEW YORK: MDCCC.LIX.
William Dool Killen—The Ancient Church

Our Status.
"And he believed in the Lord: and he counted it to him for righteousness." --Gen. xv. 6. The right touches a man's status. So long as the law has not proven him guilty, has not convicted and sentenced him, his legal status is that of a free and law-abiding citizen. But as soon as his guilt is proven in court and the jury has convicted him, he passes from that into the status of the bound and law-breaking citizen. The same applies to our relation to God. Our status before God is that either of the
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

The Golden Calf
'And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. 2. And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. 3. And all the people brake off the golden
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Vehicles of Revelation; Scripture, the Church, Tradition.
(a) The supreme and unique revelation of God to man is in the Person of the Incarnate Son. But though unique the Incarnation is not solitary. Before it there was the divine institution of the Law and the Prophets, the former a typical anticipation (de Incarn. 40. 2) of the destined reality, and along with the latter (ib. 12. 2 and 5) for all the world a holy school of the knowledge of God and the conduct of the soul.' After it there is the history of the life and teaching of Christ and the writings
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

The Hindrances to Mourning
What shall we do to get our heart into this mourning frame? Do two things. Take heed of those things which will stop these channels of mourning; put yourselves upon the use of all means that will help forward holy mourning. Take heed of those things which will stop the current of tears. There are nine hindrances of mourning. 1 The love of sin. The love of sin is like a stone in the pipe which hinders the current of water. The love of sin makes sin taste sweet and this sweetness in sin bewitches the
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

The Worst Things Work for Good to the Godly
DO not mistake me, I do not say that of their own nature the worst things are good, for they are a fruit of the curse; but though they are naturally evil, yet the wise overruling hand of God disposing and sanctifying them, they are morally good. As the elements, though of contrary qualities, yet God has so tempered them, that they all work in a harmonious manner for the good of the universe. Or as in a watch, the wheels seem to move contrary one to another, but all carry on the motions of the watch:
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

The Foundation of the Church among the Jews
A.D. 33-A.D. 38 Before entering upon an account of the Foundation and After-History of the Christian Church, it may be well to consider what that Church really is. Section 1. Definition of the Church. [Sidenote: Twofold nature of the Church.] The Church may be regarded in a twofold aspect, as an external Corporation, and as a spiritual Body. [Sidenote: 1. An external Kingdom.] In the first light it is a Kingdom, in the world, though not of the world, extending through different and widely-separated
John Henry Blunt—A Key to the Knowledge of Church History

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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