Psalms 48

1 A Song. A Psalm. Of the sons of Korah. Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised, in the town of our God, in his holy mountain.

For the music director. A psalm of the sons of Korah. The Lord is supreme! He deserves praise in the city of our God on his holy mountain.

2 Beautiful in its high position, the joy of all the earth, is the mountain of Zion, the mountain of God, the town of the great King.

Mount Zion is high and beautiful, bringing happiness to all the earth; on the northern side is the city of the great King.

3 In its buildings God is seen to be a high tower.

God himself is in the city's fortresses; he is recognized as its defender.

4 For see! the kings came together by agreement, they were joined together.

Look at what happened when foreign kings joined forces and came to attack the city.

5 They saw it, and so were full of wonder; they were troubled, and went quickly away in fear.

As soon as they saw it they were astonished and ran away terrified.

6 Shaking came on them and pain, as on a woman in childbirth.

They shook all over, and were in agonizing pain like a woman giving birth,

7 By you the ships of Tarshish are broken as by an east wind.

just as the strong east wind wrecks the ships from Tarshish.

8 As it came to our ears so have we seen it, in the town of the Lord of armies, in the town of our God; God will keep it fixed for ever. (Selah)

Just as we had heard, but now we have seen the city of the Lord Almighty. This is the city of our God; he makes it secure forever. (Selah)

9 Our thoughts were of your mercy, O God, while we were in your Temple.

God, we recall your trustworthy love as we worship in the Temple.

10 As your name is, O God, so is your praise to the ends of the earth; your right hand is full of righteousness.

As is fitting for your reputation, God, praises to you stretch all around the world. What you do is always right!

11 Let there be joy in the mountain of Zion, and let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of your wise decisions.

Let the people of Mount Zion be glad; let the people of Judah celebrate because your judgments are always fair!

12 Make your way about Zion, and go round it, numbering its towers.

Go and take a look at Zion. Count the towers as you walk around.

13 Take note of its strong walls, looking well at its fair buildings; so that you may give word of it to the generation which comes after.

Inspect the fortifications. Examine the citadels, so you can describe everything to the next generation, telling them:

14 Because this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide.

“This is who our God is. He is our God forever and ever. He himself will lead us until the very end.”