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.

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.

2 Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King.

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

3 God has shown himself in her citadels as a refuge.

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

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

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

5 They saw it, then they were amazed. They were dismayed. They hurried away.

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

6 Trembling took hold of them there, pain, as of a woman in travail.

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

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

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

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)

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)

9 We have thought about your loving kindness, God, in the midst of your temple.

God, we recall your trustworthy love as we worship in the 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 is fitting for your reputation, God, praises to you stretch all around the world. What you do is always right!

11 Let Mount Zion be glad. Let the daughters of Judah rejoice, Because of your judgments.

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

12 Walk about Zion, and go around her. Number its towers.

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

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

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

14 For this God is our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever.

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