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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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, like the pains of a woman in labor.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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 your judgments.

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

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

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

Set your mind on her ramparts, consider her palaces; that you tell 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.”

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