Psalms 48

1 Great is Adonai, and greatly to be praised, in the city of our God, in 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 Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion [Mountain ridge, Marking], on the north sides, 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 In its fortresses God has revealed himself as a strong defense.

God is in the strong towers there, and he shows that he protects the people in that city.

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

Many kings gathered [with their armies] to attack [that city],

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

but when they saw it, they were amazed; they became terrified, and ran away.

6 Trembling took hold of them there, pain, 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, you break the ships of Tarshish.

they shook [like] ships sailing from Tarshish are shaken by a strong wind.

8 As we have sh'ma ·heard obeyed·, so we have seen, in the city of Adonai Tzva'ot [Yahweh Commander of heaven’s armies], in the city of our God. God will establish it forever. (Selah) ·contemplation with musical interlude·.

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 about your chesed ·loving-kindness·, God, in the middle of your temple.

God, [here] in your temple we think about how you faithfully love us.

10 As is your name, God, so is your tehilah ·praise song· to the ends of the earth. Your 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 [Mountain ridge, Marking] be glad! Let the daughters of Judah [Praised] rejoice, Because of your 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 [Mountain ridge, Marking], and go around her. Number its towers.

[You Israeli people should] walk around Zion [Hill] and count the towers there;

13 Mark well her bulwarks. Consider her palaces, that you may tell it to the next generation.

notice the walls there and examine the forts in order that you can tell about them to your children.

14 For this God is our God forever and ever. He will be our guide even to death.

[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.”