Psalms 87:6
The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah.
Original Language Analysis
יְֽהוָ֗ה
The LORD
H3068
יְֽהוָ֗ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
1 of 8
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
יִ֭סְפֹּר
shall count
H5608
יִ֭סְפֹּר
shall count
Strong's:
H5608
Word #:
2 of 8
properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra
בִּכְת֣וֹב
when he writeth up
H3789
בִּכְת֣וֹב
when he writeth up
Strong's:
H3789
Word #:
3 of 8
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
עַמִּ֑ים
the people
H5971
עַמִּ֑ים
the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
4 of 8
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
יֻלַּד
that this man was born
H3205
יֻלַּד
that this man was born
Strong's:
H3205
Word #:
6 of 8
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
שָׁ֣ם
H8033
Cross References
Isaiah 4:3And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem:Luke 10:20Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.Revelation 20:15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.Psalms 69:28Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.Ezekiel 13:9And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD.Philippians 4:3And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.Revelation 13:8And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.Psalms 22:30A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.Jeremiah 3:19But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me.
Historical Context
Ancient cities maintained citizenship rolls. Roman censuses recorded citizens (Luke 2:1-5). But God's register is ultimate—determining eternal destiny. Jesus told disciples to rejoice that their "names are written in heaven" (Luke 10:20). Hebrews 12:23 describes believers as enrolled in heaven. The book of life determines who enters New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:27). This census matters eternally.
Questions for Reflection
- What assurance does having your name written in God's book provide?
- How does divine record-keeping emphasize the personal, individual nature of salvation?
- On what basis are names written in the Lamb's book of life (Revelation 13:8), and how does this secure salvation?
Analysis & Commentary
The psalm continues: "The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there" (Hebrew YHWH yis-por bikh-tov amim zeh yullad-sham). God "counts" and "writes"—maintaining a register of citizens. "This man was born there" is recorded for each individual. The image is the book of life (Exodus 32:32-33, Psalm 69:28, Philippians 4:3, Revelation 20:12-15). Citizenship in God's kingdom is documented, permanent, secured. The verse assures believers their names are written in heaven.