Psalms 48

1 A Canticle Psalm. To the sons of Korah, on the second Sabbath. The Lord is great and exceedingly praiseworthy, in the city of our God, on his holy mountain.

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 Mount Zion is being founded with the exultation of the whole earth, on the north side, the city of the great king.

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 In her houses, God will be known, since he will support her.

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

4 For behold, the kings of the earth have been gathered together; they have convened as one.

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

5 Such did they see, and they were astonished: they were disturbed, they were moved.

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

6 Trembling took hold of them. In that place, their pains were that of a woman in labor.

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

7 With a vehement spirit, you will crush the ships of Tarshish.

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

8 As we have heard, so we have seen, in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God. God has founded it in eternity.

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 received your mercy, O God, in the midst of your temple.

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

10 According to your name, O God, so does your praise reach to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is full of justice.

According to your name, O God, so is also your praise to the ends of the earth: your right hand is full of righteousness.

11 Let mount Zion rejoice, and let the daughters of Judah exult, because of your judgments, O Lord.

Let mount Sion rejoice, let the daughters of Judaea exult, because of your judgements, O Lord.

12 Encircle Zion and embrace her. Discourse in her towers.

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

13 Set your hearts on her virtue. And distribute her houses, so that you may discourse of it in another generation.

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

14 For this is God, our God, in eternity and forever and ever. He will rule us forever.

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