Amahubo 48

1 Yinkulu iNkosi, ingeyokudunyiswa kakhulu emzini kaNkulunkulu wethu, intaba yobungcwele bayo.

For the music director. A psalm of the sons of Korah. The Lord is supreme! He deserves praise in the city of our God on his holy mountain.

2 Yinhle ngokuphakama, yintokozo emhlabeni wonke intaba yeZiyoni, enhlangothini zenyakatho, umuzi weNkosi enkulu.

Mount Zion is high and beautiful, bringing happiness to all the earth; on the northern side is the city of the great King.

3 Ezigodlweni zawo uNkulunkulu uyaziwa ukuthi uyinqaba.

God himself is in the city's fortresses; he is recognized as its defender.

4 Ngoba, khangela, amakhosi abuthana, adlula kanyekanye.

Look at what happened when foreign kings joined forces and came to attack the city.

5 Wona awubona, ngokunjalo amangala, atshaywa luvalo, aphaphatheka.

As soon as they saw it they were astonished and ran away terrified.

6 Ukuthuthumela kwawabamba lapho, umhelo njengowesifazana obelethayo.

They shook all over, and were in agonizing pain like a woman giving birth,

7 Ngomoya wempumalanga uphahlaza imikhumbi yeTarshishi.

just as the strong east wind wrecks the ships from Tarshish.

8 Njengesikuzwileyo ngokunjalo sikubonile emzini weNkosi yamabandla, emzini kaNkulunkulu wethu; uNkulunkulu uzawumisa kuze kube nininini. (Sela)

Just as we had heard, but now we have seen the city of the Lord Almighty. This is the city of our God; he makes it secure forever. (Selah)

9 Sizindle ngothandolomusa wakho, Nkulunkulu, phakathi kwethempeli lakho.

God, we recall your trustworthy love as we worship in the Temple.

10 Njengalo ibizo lakho, Nkulunkulu, injalo indumiso yakho kuze kube semikhawulweni yomhlaba; isandla sakho sokunene sigcwele ukulunga.

As is fitting for your reputation, God, praises to you stretch all around the world. What you do is always right!

11 Kayithokoze intaba yeZiyoni, amadodakazi akoJuda athabe, ngenxa yezahlulelo zakho.

Let the people of Mount Zion be glad; let the people of Judah celebrate because your judgments are always fair!

12 Ibhodeni iZiyoni, liyizingeleze, libale imiphotshongo yayo,

Go and take a look at Zion. Count the towers as you walk around.

13 liqaphelise umthangala wayo, lidabule lihlole izigodlo zayo, ukuze lilandisele isizukulwana esilandelayo.

Inspect the fortifications. Examine the citadels, so you can describe everything to the next generation, telling them:

14 Ngoba lo uNkulunkulu unguNkulunkulu wethu kuze kube nini lanini; yena uzasikhokhela kuze kube sekufeni.

“This is who our God is. He is our God forever and ever. He himself will lead us until the very end.”