Psalm 87

Psalm 87 is a short song that praises Jerusalem, the holy city. It speaks about how God chose this place and made it special. The psalm calls it the city founded by God. It is not just a place of stone and walls. It is a sign of God’s presence with His people.

The psalm also looks at Jerusalem as the center where all nations will gather. People from faraway lands are spoken of as belonging to it. They are called children of Zion. This shows that God’s plan is wide. He invites not only Israel, but also all people, to share in His blessings.

In Psalm 87 we also hear joy and music. The psalmist says that singers and dancers will praise God there. Life flows from Jerusalem like a spring. It becomes a place of hope, peace, and unity for everyone.

When we read this psalm today, we see more than a city. For Christians, Jerusalem points us to the Church, which is the new home for all nations. It reminds us that we are part of God’s family no matter where we come from. This psalm is short, but it carries a message of welcome, joy, and belonging.

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This song is found in the third book of the Psalms, which goes from Psalm 73 to Psalm 89. This part of the Psalter often speaks about God’s people, their struggles, and their hope in Him. Many of the psalms here were written during times of trial, when Israel needed to remember that God was still faithful.

Psalm 87 is connected to the Korahites, a group of temple singers. Their name appears in the title. These psalms were likely sung in worship at the temple in Jerusalem. The Korahites helped lead the people in prayer and song, so their words are filled with praise for God’s house and city.

The focus of this psalm is Jerusalem, also called Zion. It was the center of worship for Israel and the place where the temple stood. People believed it was chosen by God as His dwelling. This made Jerusalem more than just a capital. It was a holy place where heaven and earth met.

Even though we cannot point to one single author, the voice of the Korahite singers shines through. They celebrated the city God loved most, and they wanted all the nations to see it as the source of life and blessing. Their song helped the people remember who they were and where their true home was.

One of the main themes in this psalm is that God’s city is open to everyone. People from many lands are counted as citizens of Zion. This shows that God’s plan was never limited to one people. In Catholic teaching, this points to the Church, which welcomes all nations into one family through Christ.

Another theme is the idea of belonging. The psalm says that those born in Zion are children of God’s city. In the Church, baptism gives us this new birth. It makes us part of God’s household, no matter where we are from. We are given a place and a name among His people.

The psalm also speaks of joy and music flowing from the city. This reminds us of the liturgy, where prayer and song rise up to God. The Eucharist is at the heart of this, uniting people from all over the world at one table. Worship brings life, just as the psalm says streams flow from Zion.

Lastly, the psalm points us toward unity. Nations once divided are brought together in God’s plan. For Catholics, this calls us to live in communion with others. The Church is meant to be a sign of peace and welcome, showing that God’s love reaches everywhere.

This psalm is still important today because it reminds us that God’s family is bigger than we often think. In a world that is divided by borders, languages, and cultures, the message of Zion as a home for all people is powerful. It calls us to see one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.

For Catholics, this psalm points to the Church as a gathering place for the world. Every Mass shows this truth. People from every background come together at one altar. We are united by faith and not by where we come from. This unity is a gift and a sign of hope.

The psalm also speaks to our longing for home. Many people today feel lost or without belonging. Zion shows us that God offers a place where everyone is known and loved. The Church should be that safe place where no one is left out.

Finally, the psalm’s joy and music encourage us to live with hope. It calls us to praise God and celebrate the life He gives. Even in hard times, we can remember that we are part of something bigger. God’s city is open, and we have a place in it.

A Place to Belong

Lord, you make a home for your people.
You choose a city where your presence rests.
You welcome every nation and every person.
Help me see that I belong in your house.

You call strangers and friends to stand together.
You count them as children of your family.
Teach me to welcome others with the same love.
Show me how to see each person as a brother or sister.

Your city is filled with joy and music.
Streams of life flow from your dwelling.
Fill my heart with that same joy.
Let my words and actions bring life to others.

Lord, when I feel alone or far away,
remind me of your promise.
My true home is with you,
and in your Church, I will always belong.

Psalm 87 is used in the Roman Catholic lectionary as a song of praise for God’s people. In the liturgy, it reminds us that God gathers nations together into one family. The words about being born in Zion are seen as a sign of new birth in Christ, which is given through baptism.

When this psalm is prayed at Mass, it often connects with readings about the Church as God’s dwelling place. It helps us see the link between the old city of Jerusalem and the new Jerusalem that is the Church. Both are places where God’s presence brings life.

The verses of joy and music fit well with the spirit of worship. They remind us that liturgy is not just words. It is also song, dance, and celebration. Psalm 87 points to the joy that flows when God’s people gather in His name.

By placing this psalm in the lectionary, the Church keeps its message alive. Each time it is read or sung, we are reminded that God’s plan is wide. His city is open to all, and we are called to welcome others into that same joy.

At Weekday Masses

• The Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of the Church – Psalm 87:1-2, 3 and 5, 6-7: Praise for the City of God
• Tuesday of the 4th Week of Easter – Psalm 87:1b-3, 4-5, 6-7: Zion, City of God
• Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time I – Psalm 87:1b-3, 4-5, 6-7: The City of God

Streams of Life from Zion

Bring the beauty and meaning of Psalm 87 into your parish or ministry. This image, inspired by the psalm’s vision of life flowing from God’s holy city, is available for download.

It is perfect for use in bulletins, newsletters, or other parish resources. Share its message of joy, unity, and belonging with your community and remind them that God’s love reaches all nations.

Paid subscribers may download a large copy this digital artwork without watermarks, suitable for use in bulletins, social media, newsletters, etc., free of charge by clicking here. You must be logged in as a paid subscriber to access the file.

Only current paid subscribers have the rights to use the artwork.

What is Psalm 87 about?

Psalm 87 is a song that praises Jerusalem, also called Zion. It speaks of the city as chosen by God and as a place where all nations will belong. It shows joy, unity, and new life flowing from God’s city.

Who wrote Psalm 87?

The psalm is linked to the Korahites, who were temple singers. Their name is given in the title. The exact author is not known, but it was likely written for worship in Jerusalem.

Why does the psalm mention people from many nations?

The psalm says that people from other lands will be counted as children of Zion. This shows that God’s plan is for everyone. In Catholic teaching, this points to the Church, which welcomes all people into God’s family.

How is Psalm 87 used in the Catholic Church?

It appears in the Roman Catholic lectionary during Mass. It reminds us of baptism, unity in the Church, and the joy of worship. The verses about singing and dancing connect well with liturgy.

What does Psalm 87 mean for us today?

It tells us that we all belong to God’s family, no matter where we come from. It also invites us to live with joy and hope. The psalm calls the Church to be a home that welcomes every person.

Psalm 87 is a song that celebrates Jerusalem, the holy city of God. It tells us that the Lord chose this place and made it His dwelling. The psalm speaks of Zion as the foundation of God’s work and the home of His people.

The psalm goes beyond the borders of Israel. It says that people from many nations will be counted as citizens of Zion. This shows that God’s plan is open to everyone. In Catholic teaching, this is a picture of the Church, which brings people from every land into one family.

It also speaks of joy and music flowing from Zion. Worship and celebration mark the life of God’s people. For Catholics, this connects to the liturgy and the Eucharist, where the Church gathers in unity and song.

Psalm 87 is short, but it carries a hopeful message. It reminds us that God gives us a place to belong. We are His children, and His Church is our home.

Take a few minutes to read Psalm 87 for yourself. Notice how it speaks about belonging, joy, and God’s welcome to all nations. Let the words remind you that you are part of God’s family, no matter where you come from.

After you read it, share your thoughts in the comment section. How does this psalm make you feel about your place in the Church? Do you see connections to your own life or community? Your reflections can help others see new meaning in these words.