Psalms 87:1-7

High upon his hills of holiness stands God’s city. How God loves the gates of Zion, his favorite place on earth. So many glorious things have been proclaimed over Zion, God’s holy city! Pause in his presence For the Lord says, “Here are the nations who will acknowledge me as God: Egypt, Iraq, Palestine, and the Mediterranean people, even distant Ethiopia. They will all boast, ‘I was born in Zion!’ ” But over Zion it will be said, “The mighty Man was born there, and he will establish it.” For the God Most High will truly bless Jerusalem. And when he counts her citizens, recording them in his registry, he will write by their names: “This one was born again here!” Pause in his presence And the princes of God’s feasts will sing and dance, singing, “Every fountain of delight springs up from your life within me!”