The Sons of Korah: Week 10

A Devotion and Longing for God
​Psalm 87

The story of the Sons of Korah is one of remarkable redemption. Their ancestor, Korah, rebelled against God’s appointed leadership and perished under dramatic judgment (Num. 16). But “the sons of Korah did not die” (Num. 26:11). They lived—and from their lineage came some of the most heartfelt expressions of longing, worship, and devotion in the Psalms.

Though Korah sought to approach God on his own terms, his descendants teach us, through inspired song, what it means to approach God with reverence, humility, and awe. Let’s journey through the 11 psalms attributed to the Sons of Korah—Psalms 42, 44–49, 84, 85, 87, and 88. These psalms reflect a deep yearning for God’s presence and a resilient trust in His goodness, even in times of sorrow and silence.

From “As the deer pants for the water” (Psalm 42) to “How lovely is Your dwelling place” (Psalm 84), their words invite us to examine our own hearts. Do we long for God in this way? Do we worship Him as holy? Can we trust His redeeming work, even in our failures?

Join us each week, August 5–October 14, as we explore 11 psalms and the legacy of worship that grew from these once-rebellious roots. Their story reminds us that no one is too far gone for God to redeem and use for His glory—The Sons of Korah: A Devotion and Longing for God.

“On the holy mount stands the city He founded; the Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob. Glorious things of you are spoken, O city of God. Selah

Among those who know Me, I mention Rahab and Babylon; behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush—‘This one was born there,’ they say. And of Zion it shall be said, ‘This one and that one were born in her'; for the Most High Himself [El Elyon] will establish her. The Lord [Yahweh] records as He registers the peoples, ‘This one was born there.’ Selah

Singers and dancers alike say, ‘All my springs are in You.’ Psalm 87:1-7

Psalm 87, the tenth psalm attributed to the sons of Korah, is a concise yet profound hymn that draws our attention to the beauty, devotion, and longing for God's presence. In just seven verses, this psalm captures a vision of Zion—the city God founded and loved—not merely as a physical place but as a spiritual dwelling, overflowing with God’s presence and glory.

“On the holy mount stands the city He founded; the Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob” (Psalm 87:1-2). The psalm begins with an extraordinary declaration: God Himself established Zion, and He loves it above all other places. This is not simply about geography. Zion symbolizes the dwelling place of God, His chosen presence among His people. To love Zion is to long for God Himself, to cherish His nearness above all else.

“Among those who know Me, I mention Rahab and Babylon; behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush—‘This one was born there,’ they say” (Psalm 87:4). In a striking turn, the psalmist envisions people from foreign nations—Rahab (Egypt), Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Cush—being counted as citizens of Zion. This foreshadows the Gospel, when the doors of God’s Kingdom would open wide to the nations. What was once reserved for Israel now becomes a global invitation: all who know God can belong in Zion. This is a picture of longing fulfilled. Nations that were once far off now find their home in God’s presence. Believers from every background can say, “I was born in Zion,” because through Christ, they have been born again into God’s family.

“The Lord records as He registers the peoples, ‘This one was born there’” (Psalm 87:6). What a beautiful picture of belonging! God Himself writes down the names of His people, marking them as citizens of His holy city. No matter where we come from, when we place our faith in Him, we are counted as His. This is not a dry census—it is the Father's loving affirmation, “This one belongs to Me.”

“Singers and dancers alike say, ‘All my springs are in you’” (Psalm 87:7). The psalm closes with a chorus of joy. Zion is not only a place of belonging but a source of life itself. Springs symbolize refreshment, renewal, and abundance. To say “all my springs are in You” is to declare that all joy, vitality, and satisfaction flow from God’s presence. This echoes Jesus’ words in John 7:38: “Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”

Psalm 87 is ultimately a psalm of longing. It points us to a God who calls people from every nation into His presence, registers them as His own, and fills them with joy overflowing. It reminds us that true belonging, lasting happiness, and spiritual refreshment are found only in Him.

Like the sons of Korah, may we set our devotion on the city of God—not as a place of stone and mortar, but as the eternal dwelling of His presence. May our hearts echo the psalmist’s longing: “All my springs are in You.”

How does remembering God’s past mercies fuel your faith to pray for revival and trust Him for future restoration in your own life?

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