Psalms 48

1 A Psalm of praise for the sons of Core on the second [day] of the week. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city 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 The city of the great King is well planted [on] the mountains of Sion, with the joy of the whole earth, [on] the sides of the north.

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

3 God is known in her palaces, when he undertakes to help her.

God has shown himself in her citadels as a refuge.

4 For, behold the kings of the earth were assembled, they came together.

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

5 They saw, and so they wondered: they were troubled, they were moved.

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

6 Trembling took hold on them: there were the pangs as of a woman in travail.

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

7 Thou wilt break the ships of Tharsis with a vehement wind.

With the east wind, you break the ships of Tarshish.

8 As we have heard, so have we also seen, in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God: God has founded it for ever. (Pause)

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 We have thought of thy mercy, O God, in the midst of thy people.

We have thought about your loving kindness, God, in the midst of your temple.

10 According to thy name, O God, so is also thy praise to the ends of the earth: thy 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 mount Sion rejoice, let the daughters of Judaea exult, because of thy judgments, O Lord.

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

12 Go round about Sion, and encompass her: tell ye her towers.

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

13 Mark ye well her strength, and observe her palaces; that ye may tell the next generation.

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

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

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