John Calvin Commentary Psalms 87:4

"I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon as among them that know me: Behold, Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia: This one was born there." — Psalms 87:4 (ASV)

I will make mention of Rahab and Babel. The name of Rahab is used for Egypt in many other parts of Scripture; and this meaning is very well-suited to the current passage, the purpose of which is to portray the magnificent breadth of the Church, which was still only a matter of hope.

It is therefore said that those who previously were deadly enemies, or complete strangers, will not only become familiar friends, but will also be grafted into one body, so that they may be considered citizens of Jerusalem. In the first clause it is said, I will make mention of Egypt and Babylon among my household. In the second, it is added, that the Philistines, Tyrians, and Ethiopians, who until now had been so much in conflict with the people of God, will now be brought into as cordial harmony with them as if they were Jews by birth.

What a glorious distinction of the Church, that even those who held her in contempt will come flocking to her from all directions, and that those who desired to see her completely torn apart and destroyed, will consider it the highest honor to have a place among her citizens, and to be considered as such! All of them will voluntarily renounce their own countries in which they had previously proudly boasted. Wherever they may have been born, whether in Palestine, or Ethiopia, or Tyre, they will profess themselves citizens of the holy city.

The Jewish scholars explain this passage as meaning that very few will arise from other nations who will excel either in mental endowment or in virtuous attainment, but that in Israel such persons will be very numerous. Scarcely, they say, will there be found among the Tyrians, the Egyptians, the Ethiopians, and other nations, one man for each of them worthy of praise; so that if such a one is found among them, he may be pointed out with the finger, because of his rarity. But in Zion man and man shall be born; that is to say, the number of such men among the Jews will be great.

Christian scholars are almost unanimous in referring these words to Christ, and think that the reason is given here why those who until now were strangers, and even mortal enemies to each other, are now to be counted among the citizens of Jerusalem: namely, because Christ will be born there, whose work it is to gather together into the unity of faith and hope of eternal life, people who were scattered like members torn from the body.

The first of these interpretations, being entirely forced, needs no refutation. Moreover, it is very evident that the Jews, motivated by a foolish ambition, twist this passage, as it were, deliberately. The interpretation of the Christian scholars is, at first sight, plausible because of its ingenuity, but it lacks solidity.

The words clearly imply that whatever nation people may belong to, they will willingly renounce their own country to be enrolled in the register of the chosen people. When it is said that they are born there, this does not mean that they are natives of the country and have been brought up in it from their birth, but that they are its citizens. What is added afterwards, The Most High himself will establish her, can just as correctly be translated, will order her; as it is the special work of God to govern His Church by His word.