Psalms 48

1 Yahweh is great, and he deserves to be greatly praised in the city where he [lives], [which is built on Zion], his sacred hill.

A Song; a Psalm of the sons of Korah. Great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised, In the city of our God, in his holy mountain.

2 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].

Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, Is mount Zion, [on] the sides of the north, The city of the great King.

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

God hath made himself known in her palaces for a refuge.

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

For, lo, the kings assembled themselves, They passed by together.

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

They saw it, then were they amazed; They were dismayed, they hasted away.

6 Because they were very afraid, they trembled like a woman who is about to give birth to a child;

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

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

With the east wind Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish.

8 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.

As we have heard, so have we seen In the city of Jehovah of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. (Selah)

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

We have thought on thy lovingkindness, O God, In the midst of thy temple.

10 You [MTY] are famous and (are praised/people praise you) all over the earth, because you rule powerfully [MTY] and justly.

As is thy name, O God, So is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: Thy right hand is full of righteousness.

11 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.

Let mount Zion be glad, Let the daughters of Judah rejoice, Because of thy judgments.

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

Walk about Zion, and go round about her; Number the towers thereof;

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

Mark ye well her bulwarks; Consider her palaces: That ye may tell it to the generation following.

14 [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.”

For this God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our guide [even] unto death.