Bible Verses About Zion

Introduction

In the Old Testament, the hill where the city of Jerusalem was built was called “Zion.” The word “Zion” means “fortification” or “stronghold,” and it was used to call Jerusalem the stronghold of God’s people. God chose to live in Zion, and the people of Israel could feel His presence there. In particular, the Psalms talk a lot about Zion as the place where God’s glory lives.

The people of God, the church, and the new Jerusalem are all called Zion in the New Testament. In his letter to the Hebrews, Paul said that the church was the “heavenly Jerusalem.” In the book of Revelation, the new Jerusalem is described as a city made of pure gold with jasper walls and pearl gates.

Bible Verses About Zion

• Psalm 48:2 – “Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.”
• Psalm 125:1 – “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.”
• Isaiah 2:3 – “And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.”

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! –Isaiah 52:7

• Hebrews 12:22 – “But ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels.”
• Revelation 21:2 – “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”
• Zechariah 9:9 – “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.”
• Psalm 87:5-6 – “And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her. The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there.”

O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! –Isaiah 40:9

• Joel 3:17 – “So shall ye know that I am the Lord your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her anymore.”
• Psalm 9:11 – “Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion! Tell among the peoples his deeds.”
• Psalm 102:13 – “You will arise and have pity on Zion; it is the time to favor her; the appointed time has come.”
• Psalm 87:2-3 – “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.”
• Psalm 132:13 – “For the Lord has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his dwelling place.”
• Isaiah 51:3 – “For the Lord comforts Zion; he comforts all her waste places and makes her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song.”
• Micah 4:7 – “And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the Lord shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even forever.”
• Zechariah 8:3 – “Thus says the Lord: I have returned to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, and Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the Lord of hosts, the holy mountain.”

For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch. –Isaiah 62:1

• Psalm 137:1 – “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.”
• Isaiah 40:2 – “Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.”

Conclusion

In summary, the Bible uses the word “Zion” to talk about Jerusalem, God’s people, the church, and the new Jerusalem. Many verses in the Bible talk about Zion and how important it is as the place where God lives and where His salvation comes from. As Christians, it’s comforting to know that God chose Zion and wants to live there with His people. May these Bible verses about Zion encourage and inspire you to seek the Lord and His kingdom with all your heart.

Thus says the Lord: I have returned to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, and Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the Lord of hosts, the holy mountain. – Zechariah 8:3, WEB