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 psalm of the sons of Korah.” Great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised In the city of our God, upon 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 its elevation is Mount Zion, The joy of the whole earth; The joy of the farthest North is 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.

In her palaces God is known as a refuge.

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

For, lo! kings were assembled against it; They passed away together.

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

As soon as they saw, they were astonished; They were confounded, and hasted away.

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

There terror seized upon them, —Pain, as of a woman in travail;

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

As when the east wind breaketh in pieces 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 the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God; God will establish it for ever. (Pause)

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

We think of thy loving-kindness, 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 thy name, O God! so thy praise, extendeth to 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.

Mount Zion rejoiceth, The daughters of Judah exult, On account of thy righteous judgments.

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

Go round about Zion; number her towers;

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

Mark well her bulwarks; count her palaces; That ye may tell it to the next generation!

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 unto death.