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.

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

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

In her palaces God is known as a refuge.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As when the east wind breaketh in pieces The ships of Tarshish.

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. (Pause)

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

We think of thy loving-kindness, 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.

As thy name, O God! so thy praise, extendeth to 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.

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

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

Go round about Zion; number her towers;

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

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

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 unto death.