Psalms 48

1 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.

Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.

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

Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.

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

God is known in her palaces for a refuge.

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

For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.

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

They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away.

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

Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail.

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

You break the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.

8 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)

As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. (Selah)

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

We have thought of your loving kindness, O God, in the midst of your temple.

10 As is fitting for your reputation, God, praises to you stretch all around the world. What you do is always right!

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

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

Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of your judgments.

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

Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.

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

Mark all of you well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that all of you may tell it to the generation following.

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

For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.