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Psalm 87:1
A Psalm by the sons of Korah; a Song. His foundation is in the holy mountains.
Notice
“His foundation” draws attention to God’s claim on Zion, a city whose importance in this song begins with him and his holy mountains.
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Write on thisHow does the word “holy” shape what you picture when you read about these mountains?
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Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
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Psalm 121:1A Song of Ascents. I will lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from?Both songs turn toward mountain landscapes; Psalm 87 names a holy foundation, while Psalm 121 asks where help comes from.
Isaiah 28:16Therefore the Lord GOD says, “Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone of a sure foundation. He who believes shall …Both passages speak of God’s foundation in Zion; Isaiah describes a tried stone and a sure foundation.
Isaiah 56:7I will bring these to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; …Both passages name God’s holy mountain setting; Isaiah adds the promise of joy in his house of prayer.
Ephesians 2:20–22being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone;Both use foundation language; Psalm 87 concerns Zion, while Ephesians names apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus as cornerstone.
Isaiah 2:2–3It shall happen in the latter days, that the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be raised above the …Both connect mountains with God; Isaiah describes the mountain of his house established above the hills.
Psalm 46:1For the Chief Musician. By the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.Both psalms are attributed to the sons of Korah; one names God’s foundation, the other his help in trouble.
Matthew 16:18I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.The shared thread is building imagery: God’s foundation in Psalm 87 and Jesus building his assembly on rock in Matthew.
Zechariah 8:3The LORD says: “I have returned to Zion, and will dwell in the middle of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be called ‘The City of Truth;’ and the mountain of the LORD …Both associate Zion with holy mountains; Zechariah names Jerusalem as the place where the LORD will dwell.
Psalm 48:1–2A Song. A Psalm by the sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, in the city of our God, in his holy mountain.Both songs by the sons of Korah connect God’s city with his holy mountain setting.
1 Corinthians 3:10–11According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another builds on it. But let each man be careful how he …Both speak of a foundation, though Psalm 87 names God’s foundation and Paul describes his own building work under God’s grace.
Psalm 68:16Why do you look in envy, you rugged mountains, at the mountain where God chooses to reign? Yes, the LORD will dwell there forever.Both associate a mountain setting with God; Psalm 68 describes the mountain he chooses as his dwelling.
2 Chronicles 3:1Then Solomon began to build the LORD’s house at Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD appeared to David his father, which he prepared in the place that …Both connect God with Jerusalem’s mountain setting; Chronicles describes Solomon beginning the LORD’s house on Mount Moriah.
Where this verse fits
Praise and worship. sermon or Bible study notes.
One step
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Encouragement
Zion’s story begins with God’s foundation. As you read, let that order matter: the city praised in this song owes its place to him.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).