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.

A song. A psalm of the Korahites. Great is the Lord and worthy all praise in the city of our God. His holy mountain,

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

that rises so fair, is the joy of all the world. Like the mount of the gods is Mount Zion, the city of the great king.

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

Once God made himself known as the defence of her palaces.

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

For see! A concert of kings passed over the frontier together.

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

But one glance, and they were astounded; they hastened away in dismay.

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

Trembling took hold of them there, like the pains of a woman in labour.

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

They were shattered, as east wind shatters the giant ships in pieces.

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)

What we heard, we now have seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, the city of our God. God will uphold her forever. (Selah)

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

We think, O God, of your love, 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!

Your fame, O God, like your name, shall extend to the ends of the earth. Victory fills your hand.

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

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

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

Walk about Zion, go round her; count her towers.

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

Set your mind on her ramparts, consider her palaces; that you tell to the next generation

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

That such is God, our God he it is who shall guide us for ever and ever.