Comentário sobre Salmos 87:9

whose foundation is on the mountains of the Sanctuary The foundation of this psalm; the Psalmist founded it on the mountains of Zion and Jerusalem.

The Lord loves the gates of Zion – It says ‘gates’ because the elders and the wise sit in the gates, as it says “…up to the gate, to the elders…” (Deuteronomy 25:7) and so too in the words of Boaz which describe the elders who were at the gate. (Ruth 4:11) Even though God loves all of the dwelling places of Yaakov, as it says “How goodly are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel!” (Numbers 24:6) nevertheless He loves the gates of Zion more because there the wise are occupied with the service of Gd.

Glorious things are said about you You, Jerusalemwords of glory were spoken about you from the mouth of the Holy One, blessed be He. Now what are the words of glory? That you are the city of God forever.

Glorious things – This means glorious attributes, and is speaking of those that inhabit you. Or its explanation is that glorious virtues will be attributed to you, that you are elevated over all lands in many things. The settled world is divided into seven portions, and Jerusalem is in the center portion, which is in the center of the civilized world. Thus it says “…dwelling on the navel of the earth.” (Ezekiel 38:12) Therefore its air is good, mingled from all airs, good for the health of the body and wisdom as it says “The fairest of branches, the joy of the entire earth…” (Psalms 48:3) and our Sages said “the air of the land of Israel makes one wise.” (Baba Batra 158b)

Glorious things – Glorious things will be spoken about you Zion, because the Sanhedrin dwells within you, occupied with Torah. Because of this you are called the city of God, forever.

The city of God, forever – Because God chose it to make His glory dwell there:

I will remind Rahab and Babylon of My beloved ones This too He spoke of You: I shall remind Egypt and Babylon of My beloved ones, to bring them as a gift, as the matter that is stated (Isa. 66: 20): “And they will bring all your brethren, etc., a tribute to the Lord.”

Behold Philistia and Tyre with Cush They too, like Egypt and Babylon, will direct their attention to seek out and to remember each one.

“This one was born there” This one was of a family of those born in Zion, as the matter that is stated (Isa. 27:12): “and you will be gathered one by one.”

And to Zion it will be said, “Man after man was born in her” And when they bring them as a tribute to the Lord, it will be said to Zion concerning each one, “This is [one] of those who were exiled from you,” or “from their generations.” Another explanation: The Psalmist says, “I will mention to my people and to my beloved ones the greatness of Egypt and Babylon, whose greatness they now see. Behold Philistia and Tyre with Cush, because they are near Rahab and Babylon, all the nations exalt them [the Israelites] and say about them, ‘This one was born there,’ in Egypt or Babylon.”

And to Zion it will be said, “Man, etc.” And this praise that is now [directed] to Rahab and Babylon will be turned around to Zion, and concerning it they will say, “So-and-so and so-and-so were born in her.”

and He will establish it on high And the Holy One, blessed be He, will establish it above all the cities.

The Lord counts in the script of the peoples, “This one, etc.” This is a transposed verse, and סלה, forever, which is said at the end, refers to the beginning: When the Lord counts in the script of the peoples forever. That means that in the future, when the Holy One, blessed be He, inscribes the nations for an abhorrence, He will count the Israelites who are assimilated among them and those who were coerced [to abandon Judaism] among them and extract them from their midst, and [He shall] say, “This one was born of those of Zion,” and He will choose them for Himself. This is what Isaiah says (66:21): “And from them, too, will I take for priests and for Levites.” From the nations bringing them for tribute, I shall take those assimilated among them. And there will be among them priests and Levites who are unrecognizable, but they are revealed to Me, says the Lord. Now where did He say it? (Deut. 29:28) “The secret things belong to the Lord, our God.”

And singers as well as flute players concerning this.

with you With your salvation.

as well as flute players Heb. כחללים, an expression of (Jud. 21:21) בַּמְחֹלוֹת, musical instruments.