Psalms 87:4

“I will make mention of Rahab, etc.] Not of Rahab the harlot, as Jerom and others of the ancients f1230 interpret it; for the letters of both words are not the same in Hebrew; though mention is made of her in the Gospel, and Gospel times, in the genealogy of Christ, and by two of the apostles, (<400105>Matthew 1:5 <581131>Hebrews 11:31 <590225>James 2:25), but of Egypt; and so the Targum interprets it, which is so called, as it is in (<198910>Psalm 89:10 <235109>Isaiah 51:9) either from the pride of its inhabitants, the word having in it the sense of pride and haughtiness, and these being naturally proud and haughty, as Philo f1231 the Jew observes; or from some city of this name in it; or…”

“I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon ... - The word Rahab here refers to Egypt. See Isaiah 51:9. It is also applied to Egypt in Psalms 89:10. The reason why the name was given to Egypt is not certainly known. The Hebrew word properly means fierceness, insolence, pride; and it may have been given to Egypt by the Hebrews on account of its haughtiness, pride, and insolence. It has been supposed by some (Jablonski, Opusc. i. 228) that the name is of Egyptian origin, but this has not been clearly made out. (Gesenius, Lexicon) Egypt, Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Ethiopia, are mentioned here as among the best known nations and cities of the world; as places where it would commonly be regarded…”

“Rahab - Egypt, so called, either from its pride or natural strength. Babylon - Under these two and Philistia, the constant enemies of Israel, he seems to understand all the enemies of the church of God, who shall now be not only reconciled but united to them. Arabia - The nations on every side of them, for Tyre was on the north, Arabia on the South; those nearest to them, and those more remote from them. Psalms 87:5”

“87:4 As great as Zion is, it will be even greater when it becomes an international city where believers from all the nations have citizenship. • God keeps a record of all who confess him as their Lord (Dan 7:10; Rev 13:8).”

“Rahab: Psa 89:10; Isa 51:9 Babylon: Psa 137:1, Psa 137:8, Psa 137:9; Kg2 20:17, Kg2 20:18; Isa. 13:1-22, Isa 14:4-6; Jer 25:9, 50:1-51:64; Dan 2:47, Dan 2:48, Dan 4:30; Rev 17:5, Rev 18:2 Tyre: Psa 45:12; Isa. 23:1-18; Ezek. 27:1-28:26 Ethiopia: 1Kings 10:1-29; Act 8:27 this man: Psa 68:31; Sa1 17:8; Sa2 21:16-22; Isa 19:11, Isa 19:23-25; Eze 28:2 Psalms 87:5”