< 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,
Yahweh is great, and he deserves to be greatly praised in the city where he [lives], [which is built on Zion], his sacred hill.
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.
That city, on a high [hill], is beautiful; it is the city where the true [God], the great king, [lives], and it causes people all over the world to rejoice [when they see it].
3 God in her palaces hath made Himself known for a stronghold.
God is in the strong towers there, and he shows that he protects the people in that city.
4 For, lo, the kings assembled themselves, they came onward together.
Many kings gathered [with their armies] to attack [that city],
5 They saw, straightway they were amazed; they were affrighted, they hasted away.
but when they saw it, they were amazed; they became terrified, and ran away.
6 Trembling took hold of them there, pangs, as of a woman in travail.
Because they were very afraid, they trembled like a woman who is about to give birth to a child;
7 With the east wind Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish.
they shook [like] ships sailing from Tarshish are shaken by a strong 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)
We had heard [that this city is glorious], and now we have seen that it is. It is the city in which Yahweh, the almighty one, [lives]. It is the city which God will preserve/protect forever.
9 We have thought on Thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of Thy temple.
God, [here] in your temple we think about how you faithfully love us.
10 As is Thy name, O God, so is Thy praise unto the ends of the earth; Thy right hand is full of righteousness.
You [MTY] are famous and (are praised/people praise you) all over the earth, because you rule powerfully [MTY] and justly.
11 Let mount Zion be glad, let the daughters of Judah rejoice, because of Thy judgments.
The people who live near Zion Hill should be happy! The people in [all] the cities [MTY] in Judah should rejoice because you judge people fairly.
12 Walk about Zion, and go round about her; count the towers thereof.
[You Israeli people should] walk around Zion [Hill] and count the towers there;
13 Mark ye well her ramparts, traverse her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following.
notice the walls there and examine the forts in order that you can tell about them to your children.
14 For such is God, our God, for ever and ever; He will guide us eternally.
[Say to them], “This is [the city that belongs to] our God, [the one who lives] forever; he will guide us all of our lives.”