Psalms 48

1 A Song [and] Psalm for the sons of Korah. Great [is] the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, [in] the mountain of his holiness.

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 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, [is] mount Zion, [on] the sides 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 is known in her palaces for a refuge.

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

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

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

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

They saw it, and so were full of wonder; they were troubled, and went quickly away in fear.

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

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

7 Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.

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 will 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 of 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 According to 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 rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, 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: tell the towers thereof.

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

13 Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider 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 this God [is] our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide [even] unto death.

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