Psalms 87:4 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

I will make mention, i.e. I will reckon or account them in the number of my children and subjects. Rahab, i.e. Egypt, so called, Psalms 89:10 Isaiah 51:9, but whether from its pride, or natural strength, or figure, or shape, is not material. And Babylon: under these two and Philistia, the old and constant enemies of Israel, he seems to understand all the keenest enemies of the Israel or church of God, who shall now be not only reconciled, but united to them; which also was foretold under the similitude of the wolf's dwelling with the lamb, &c., Isaiah 11:6. To them; or, with or among them, as the prefix lamed is frequently used. That know me, to wit, truly, clearly, affectionately, and practically, so as to love, serve, and obey me, as this phrase is very frequently used in Scripture. And upon this account, not only heathens, but wicked Israelites, are said not to know God, as 1 Samuel 2:12, and oft elsewhere. Behold; take notice of it as a thing new, and strange, and comfortable. Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; the nations on every side of them; for Tyrus was on the north, Ethiopia or Arabia (for that seems rather to be meant by Cush, as hath been before observed) on the south, those nearest to them, and those more remote from them, that lived in the uttermost parts of the earth, as this very land is called, Matthew 12:42. This man was born there; or, saying, This man, &c., for this cohereth with the first words thus, I will make mention of Rahab, &c., saying, This man (i.e. these men or people now mentioned, the singular number put collectively for the plural; and the Scripture oft speaks of a nation as of one man, as Psalms 25:22, Psalms 130:8) was born there, or in her, as it is expressed, Psalms 87:5, to wit, in Zion; born by adoption and regeneration. See 1 Thessalonians 1:12, 1 Thessalonians 3:3,7 Ga 3:26 4:26 1 Peter 1:23. The Gentiles shall be ingrafted into the Jewish church, and into all their privileges.