Psalms 48

1 A Song; a Psalm of the sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised, in the city of our God, 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 Fair in situation, the joy of the whole earth; even mount Zion, the uttermost parts 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 God in her palaces hath made Himself known for a stronghold.

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

4 For, lo, the kings assembled themselves, they came onward together.

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

5 They saw, straightway they were amazed; they were affrighted, they hasted away.

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, pangs, as of a woman in travail.

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

7 With the east wind Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish.

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 establish it for ever. (Selah)

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 thought on Thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of Thy temple.

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

10 As is Thy name, O God, so is Thy praise unto the ends of the earth; Thy right hand is full of righteousness.

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 Zion be glad, let the daughters of Judah rejoice, because of Thy judgments.

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

12 Walk about Zion, and go round about her; count the towers thereof.

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

13 Mark ye well her ramparts, traverse her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following.

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 such is God, our God, for ever and ever; He will guide us eternally.

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