< 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.
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.
3 God is known in her palaces, when he undertakes to help her.
4 For, behold the kings of the earth were assembled, they came together.
5 They saw, and so they wondered: they were troubled, they were moved.
6 Trembling took hold on them: there were the pangs as of a woman in travail.
7 Thou wilt break the ships of Tharsis with a vehement wind.
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)
9 We have thought of thy mercy, O God, in the midst of thy people.
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.
11 Let mount Sion rejoice, let the daughters of Judaea exult, because of thy judgments, O Lord.
12 Go round about Sion, and encompass her: tell ye her towers.
13 Mark ye well her strength, and observe her palaces; that ye may tell the next generation.
14 For this is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide for evermore.