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 song. A psalm of the Korahites. Great is the Lord and worthy all praise in the city of our God. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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