The Meaning of Psalms 87:1 Explained

Psalms 87:1

KJV: {A Psalm or Song for the sons of Korah.} His foundation is in the holy mountains.

YLT: By sons of Korah. -- A Psalm, a song. His foundation is in holy mountains.

Darby: {Of the sons of Korah. A Psalm. A Song.} His foundation is in the mountains of holiness.

ASV: His foundation is in the holy mountains.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

{{A Psalm  [or] Song  for the sons  of Korah.  }} His foundation  [is] in the holy  mountains. 

What does Psalms 87:1 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalm 87:1-7 - Citizens Of Zion
This psalm blends in one great congregation the ancient foes of Israel and the Chosen People. It is a vision of the Holy Universal Church. The Selahs divide it into three parts:
Psalms 87:1-3
This is an outburst of rapturous praise. Zion's foundations are in the mountains, and her gates are dear to God. Far and wide men recount her glories and triumphs. But how much greater is the glory of the Church, which is founded on Christ's finished work and ruled by Him from heaven. The Church is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and a light shines from her into all the world.
Psalms 87:4-6
The ancient enemies of Zion contribute their children to the Church. Egypt or Rahab no longer dreaded and despised; Babylon no longer detested for its tyranny; Philistia and Ethiopia, once far off, now made nigh. They come from the East and West, and sit down at the feast of fat things of which Isaiah sang, Isaiah 25:6.
Psalms 87:7
A triumphal procession passes before us, confessing that the springs of the true life are to be found in the Church, because they are fed from the great depths of Eternal Love and Life. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalm 87

1  The nature and glory of the church
4  The increase, honor, and comfort of the members thereof

What do the individual words in Psalms 87:1 mean?

Of the sons of Korah A Psalm a Song His foundation [is] in the mountains holy
לִבְנֵי־ קֹ֭רַח מִזְמ֣וֹר שִׁ֑יר יְ֝סוּדָת֗וֹ בְּהַרְרֵי־ קֹֽדֶשׁ

לִבְנֵי־  Of  the  sons 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
קֹ֭רַח  of  Korah 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: קֹרַח  
Sense: son of Izhar, grandson of Kohath, great grandson of Levi and leader of the rebellion of the Israelites against Moses and Aaron while in the wilderness; punished and died by an earthquake and flames of fire.
מִזְמ֣וֹר  A  Psalm 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מִזְמֹור  
Sense: melody, psalm.
שִׁ֑יר  a  Song 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: שִׁיר 
Sense: song.
יְ֝סוּדָת֗וֹ  His  foundation  [is] 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: יְסוּדָה  
Sense: foundation.
בְּהַרְרֵי־  in  the  mountains 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: הַר  
Sense: mountain, hill, hill country, mount.
קֹֽדֶשׁ  holy 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: קֹדֶשׁ  
Sense: apartness, holiness, sacredness, separateness.