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.

[A Song. A Psalm by the sons of Korah.] Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, in the city of our God, in 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.

Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King.

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

God has shown himself in her citadels as a refuge.

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

For, look, the kings assembled themselves, they passed by together.

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

They saw it, then they were amazed. They were dismayed. They hurried away.

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

Trembling took hold of them there, pain, as of a woman in travail.

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

With the east wind, you break the ships of 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)

As we have heard, so we have seen, in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God. God will establish it forever. (Selah)

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

We have thought about your loving kindness, God, in the midst of your 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 your name, God, so is your praise to the farthest parts of the earth. Your right hand is full of righteousness.

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

Let Mount Zion be glad. Let the daughters of Judah rejoice, Because of your judgments.

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

Walk about Zion, and go around her. Number its towers.

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.

Consider her defenses. Consider her palaces, that you may tell it to the next generation.

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

For this God is our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever.