87:2 The Lord loves the gates of Zion
more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.
87:5 But it is said of Zion’s residents, 1
“Each one of these 2 was born in her,
and the sovereign One 3 makes her secure.” 4
1 tn Heb “and of Zion it is said.” Another option is to translate, “and to Zion it is said.” In collocation with the Niphal of אָמַר (’amar), the preposition lamed (-לְ) can introduce the recipient of the statement (see Josh 2:2; Jer 4:11; Hos 1:10; Zeph 3:16), carry the nuance “concerning, of” (see Num 23:23), or mean “be named” (see Isa 4:3; 62:4).
2 tn Heb “a man and a man.” The idiom also appears in Esth 1:8. The translation assumes that the phrase refers to each of Zion’s residents, in contrast to the foreigners mentioned in v. 4. Those advocating the universalistic interpretation understand this as a reference to each of the nations, including those mentioned in v. 4.
3 tn Traditionally “Most High.”
4 tn Heb “and he makes her secure, the Most High.”