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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

5 So they saw, and 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 of them. There were pains as of a woman in labour.

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

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

just as the strong east wind wrecks the ships from Tarshish.

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.

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

God, we recall your trustworthy love as we worship in the 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 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, and the daughters of Juda be glad; because of thy judgments, O Lord.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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