Psalms 48

1 A psalm of a canticle, for the sons of Core, on the second day of the week. Great is the Lord, and exceedingly to be praised in the city of our God, in his holy mountain.

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.

2 With the joy of the whole earth is mount Sion founded, on the sides of the north, the city of the great king.

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.

3 In her houses shall God be known, when he shall protect her.

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

4 For behold the kings of the earth assembled themselves: they gathered together.

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

5 So they saw, and they wondered, they were troubled, they were moved:

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

6 Trembling took hold of them. There were pains as of a woman in labour.

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

7 With a vehement wind thou shalt break in pieces the ships of Tharsis.

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

8 As we have heard, so have we seen, in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God: God hath founded it for ever.

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)

9 We have received thy mercy, O God, in the midst of thy temple.

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

10 According to thy name, O God, so also is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of justice.

As your name is, O God, so is your praise to the ends of the earth; your right hand is full of righteousness.

11 Let mount Sion rejoice, and the daughters of Juda be glad; because of thy judgments, O Lord.

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

12 Surround Sion, and encompass her: tell ye in her towers.

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

13 Set your hearts on her strength; and distribute her houses, that ye may relate it in another generation.

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.

14 For this is God, our God unto eternity, and for ever and ever: he shall rule us for evermore.

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