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 Korahites. Great is the Lord and worthy all praise in the city of our God. 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.

that rises so fair, is the joy of all the world. Like the mount of the gods is Mount Zion, the city of the great king.

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

Once God made himself known as the defence of her palaces.

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

For see! A concert of kings passed over the frontier together.

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

But one glance, and they were astounded; they hastened away in dismay.

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

Trembling took hold of them there, like the pains of a woman in labour.

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

They were shattered, as east wind shatters the giant ships in pieces.

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)

What we heard, we now have seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, the city of our God. God will uphold her forever. (Selah)

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

We think, O God, of your love, in the midst of 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.

Your fame, O God, like your name, shall extend to the ends of the earth. Victory fills your hand.

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

Let mount Zion be glad; let the daughters of Judah rejoice because of your judgments.

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

Walk about Zion, go round her; count her towers.

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

Set your mind on her ramparts, consider her palaces; that you tell to the next generation

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

That such is God, our God he it is who shall guide us for ever and ever.