Psalms 48

1 A psalm of a canticle, for the sons of Core, on the second day of the week. Great is the Lord, and exceedingly to be praised in the city of our God, in his holy mountain.

GREAT is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.

2 With the joy of the whole earth is mount Sion founded, on the sides of the north, the city of the great king.

Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.

3 In her houses shall God be known, when he shall protect her.

God is known in her palaces for a refuge.

4 For behold the kings of the earth assembled themselves: they gathered together.

For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.

5 So they saw, and they wondered, they were troubled, they were moved:

They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away.

6 Trembling took hold of them. There were pains as of a woman in labour.

Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail.

7 With a vehement wind thou shalt break in pieces the ships of Tharsis.

Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.

8 As we have heard, so have we seen, in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God: God hath founded it for ever.

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. (Selah)

9 We have received thy mercy, O God, in the midst of thy temple.

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

10 According to thy name, O God, so also is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of justice.

According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.

11 Let mount Sion rejoice, and the daughters of Juda be glad; because of thy judgments, O Lord.

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

12 Surround Sion, and encompass her: tell ye in her towers.

Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.

13 Set your hearts on her strength; and distribute her houses, that ye may relate it in another generation.

Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following.

14 For this is God, our God unto eternity, and for ever and ever: he shall rule us for evermore.

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