Psalms 48

1 A Song. A Psalm. Of the sons of Korah. Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised, in the town of our God, in his holy mountain.

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 Beautiful in its high position, the joy of all the earth, is the mountain of Zion, the mountain of God, the town of the great King.

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 In its buildings God is seen to be a high tower.

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

4 For see! the kings came together by agreement, they were joined together.

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

5 They saw it, and so were full of wonder; they were troubled, and went quickly away in fear.

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

6 Shaking came on them and pain, as on a woman in childbirth.

Trembling took hold of them there, like the pains of a woman in labour.

7 By you the ships of Tarshish are broken as by an east wind.

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

8 As it came to our ears so have we seen it, in the town of the Lord of armies, in the town of our God; God will keep it fixed for ever. (Selah)

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 Our thoughts were of your mercy, O God, while we were in your Temple.

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

10 As your name is, O God, so is your praise to the ends of the earth; your right hand is full of righteousness.

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

11 Let there be joy in the mountain of Zion, and let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of your wise decisions.

Let mount Zion be glad; let the daughters of Judah rejoice because of your judgments.

12 Make your way about Zion, and go round it, numbering its towers.

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

13 Take note of its strong walls, looking well at its fair buildings; so that you may give word of it to the generation which comes after.

Set your mind on her ramparts, consider her palaces; that you tell to the next generation

14 Because this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide.

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