Psalms 48

1 [A Song. A Psalm by the sons of Korah.] Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, in the city of our God, in 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 Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion, in the far 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 has shown himself in her citadels as a refuge.

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

4 For, look, the kings assembled themselves, they passed by together.

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

5 They saw it, then they were amazed. They were dismayed. They hurried 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, pain, as of a woman in travail.

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

7 With the east wind, you break the ships of Tarshish.

By you the ships of Tarshish are broken as by an east wind.

8 As we have heard, so we have seen, in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God. God will establish it forever. (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 about your loving kindness, God, in the midst of your temple.

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

10 As is your name, God, so is your praise to the farthest parts of the earth. Your 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 your 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 around her. Number its towers.

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

13 Consider her defenses. Consider her palaces, that you may tell it to the next generation.

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 forever and ever. He will guide us forever.

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