King James Version

What Does Psalms 87:7 Mean?

Psalms 87:7 in the King James Version says “As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 87 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.”

Psalms 87:7 · KJV

Context

5

And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her.

6

The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah.

7

As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee. This verse envisions Zion's future celebration, where diverse peoples join in joyful worship and declare their complete dependence on God's city for life and blessing. The imagery shifts from citizenship registration (v.6) to celebratory worship (v.7).

"As well the singers as the players on instruments" (וְשָׁרִים כְּחֹלְלִים/vesharim kecholelim) depicts comprehensive worship. Sharim (singers) and cholelim (dancers, players) represent full musical celebration. Ancient worship included vocal praise, instrumental music, and dance—total bodily expression of joy. That both groups "shall be there" emphasizes Zion as the destination for universal worship. All nations will gather, not as coerced subjects but as joyful celebrants.

The phrase encompasses the variety of worshipers and forms of worship. Different peoples bring diverse musical traditions and expressions, yet all unite in celebrating God. This anticipates Revelation's vision of every nation, tribe, and tongue praising the Lamb (Revelation 7:9-10). Unity doesn't require uniformity; diversity enriches worship.

"All my springs are in thee" (כָּל־מַעְיָנַי בָּךְ/kol-ma'ayanai bakh) shifts to first person declaration. Ma'ayanai (my springs, my fountains) refers to sources of water—essential for life in arid Palestine. Springs meant survival, refreshment, fruitfulness, and blessing. To say "all my springs are in thee" declares total dependence on Zion for everything necessary for life.

This imagery recalls Psalm 36:9: "For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light." And Jeremiah 2:13: "For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters." Jesus applies this imagery to Himself: "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink" (John 7:37), and promises the Samaritan woman "living water" that becomes "a well of water springing up into everlasting life" (John 4:10-14).

Theologically, this verse declares that all true life, blessing, refreshment, and fruitfulness come from God's presence in Zion. Just as physical springs provide water in desert, God provides spiritual life through His presence. To have one's springs in Zion means finding identity, purpose, joy, and eternal life in God's city—the community of believers united to Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Water scarcity made springs precious in ancient Palestine. Jerusalem's survival depended on the Gihon Spring, accessed through Hezekiah's tunnel during siege. Cities without reliable water sources couldn't withstand attacks. Springs represented life, security, and blessing. The Promised Land was described as 'a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills' (Deuteronomy 8:7).

Temple worship featured elaborate musical celebration. 1 Chronicles 15-16 describes David organizing singers and instrumentalists for worship. Levitical choirs sang antiphonally; instruments included harps, lyres, trumpets, and cymbals. Pilgrim psalms (Psalms 120-134) accompanied annual feasts when thousands converged on Jerusalem with singing and dancing. The temple represented God's presence—the source of blessing flowing to all people.

Prophetic literature develops the spring imagery. Ezekiel 47 envisions water flowing from the temple, getting deeper as it flows, bringing life wherever it goes, healing even the Dead Sea. Joel 3:18 prophesies: 'A fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD.' Zechariah 14:8 sees 'living waters' flowing from Jerusalem. These visions point beyond literal water to spiritual life flowing from God's presence.

Jesus explicitly connects Himself to these promises. At the Feast of Tabernacles, when priests ceremonially drew water from Siloam pool, Jesus stood and cried: 'If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink' (John 7:37-38). He promised the Holy Spirit would flow like rivers from believers' innermost being. Pentecost began fulfilling this—the Spirit poured out, creating the church as God's dwelling place from which spiritual life flows to all nations.

Revelation 22:1 presents the culmination: 'And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.' The New Jerusalem, ultimate Zion, features the river of life flowing from God's throne, with the tree of life bearing fruit and leaves 'for the healing of the nations' (Revelation 22:2). All springs are ultimately in God Himself.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to say 'all my springs are in thee,' and what areas of life do you try to find your 'springs' outside of God?
  2. How does Jesus fulfill the imagery of Zion as the source of living water, and how does this connect to the Holy Spirit's work?
  3. In what ways should worship in the church reflect the joyful, diverse, whole-hearted celebration envisioned in this verse?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 5 words
וְשָׁרִ֥ים1 of 5

“As well the singers”

H7891

to sing

כְּחֹלְלִ֑ים2 of 5

“as the players”

H2490

properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin

כָּֽל3 of 5
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מַעְיָנַ֥י4 of 5

“on instruments shall be there all my springs”

H4599

a fountain (also collectively), figuratively, a source (of satisfaction)

בָּֽךְ׃5 of 5
H0

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 87:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 87:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 36:9John 1:16Revelation 22:17Isaiah 12:3John 4:14Revelation 21:6

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Psalms 87 →

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