Psalm 87

Psalm 87:1b-3, 4-5, 6-7

#280 Weekday Years I & II Context (Tuesday of the fourth Week of Easter)-

#456 Weekday Year I Context (Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time)
R. (Zec 8:23) God is with us.

R. (117:1a) All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

His foundation upon the holy mountains
the LORD loves:
The gates of Zion,
more than any dwelling of Jacob.
Glorious things are said of you,
O city of God!
R. All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

I tell of Egypt and Babylon
among those who know the LORD;
Of Philistia, Tyre, Ethiopia:
"This man was born there."
And of Zion they shall say:
"One and all were born in her;
And he who has established her
is the Most High LORD."
R. All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

They shall note, when the peoples are enrolled:
"This man was born there."
And all shall sing, in their festive dance:
"My home is within you."
R. All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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Commentary on Ps 87:1b-3, 4-5, 6-7

This post-exilic song was probably sung by pilgrims from around the known world returning to Jerusalem to celebrate in God’s holy city the joys of his bounty. The psalm proclaims the centrality of Jerusalem (Zion) as the source of holiness. The psalmist sings of how Jerusalem is the mother of faith and that, by implication, all are joined to her in faith. Seen in the light of Christ, this unity can also be applied to the Church which brings all peoples to itself. Again we see the messianic call carried within the hymn.

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Psalm 87:1-2, 3 and 5, 6-7

#17E BVM Context (Our Lady of the Cenacle, Easter 17)

#18E BVM Context (The Blessed Virgin Mary/ Queen of Apostles, Easter 18)

#26O-1 BVM Context (The Blessed Virgin Mary, Image and Mother of the Church, II)

R. (3) Glorious things are told of you, O city of God.

The LORD loves the city
founded on holy mountains,
Loves the gates of Zion
more than any dwelling in Jacob.
R. Glorious things are told of you, O city of God.

Glorious things are said of you,
O city of God!
But of Zion it must be said:
"They all were born right here."
R. Glorious things are told of you, O city of God.

The Most High confirms this;
the LORD notes in the register of the peoples:
"This one was born here."
So all sing in their festive dance:
"Within you is my true home."
R. Glorious things are told of you, O city of God.
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Commentary on Ps 87:1-2, 3 and 5, 6-7

This post-exilic song was probably sung by pilgrims from around the known world returning to Jerusalem to celebrate in God’s holy city the joys of his bounty. The psalm proclaims the centrality of Jerusalem (Zion) as the source of holiness. The psalmist sings of how Jerusalem is the mother of faith and that, by implication, all are joined to her in faith.

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Fin