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.

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 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

7 You will break the ships of Tharsis with a vehement wind.

just as the strong east wind wrecks the ships from 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)

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

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

10 According to your name, O God, so is also 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 mount Sion rejoice, let the daughters of Judaea exult, because of your judgements, O Lord.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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