Psalms 48

1 A song or Psalme committed to the sonnes of Korah. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praysed, in the Citie of our God, euen vpon his holy Mountaine.

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 Mount Zion, lying Northwarde, is faire in situation: it is the ioy of the whole earth, and the Citie of the great King.

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

3 In the palaces thereof God is knowen for a refuge.

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

4 For lo, the Kings were gathered, and went together.

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

5 When they sawe it, they marueiled: they were astonied, and suddenly driuen backe.

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

6 Feare came there vpon them, and sorowe, as vpon a woman in trauaile.

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

7 As with an East winde thou breakest the shippes of Tarshish, so were they destroyed.

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

8 As we haue heard, so haue we seene in the citie of the Lord of hostes, in the Citie of our God: God will stablish it for euer. (Selah)

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 We waite for thy louing kindnes, O God, in the middes of thy Temple.

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

10 O God, according vnto thy Name, so is thy prayse vnto the worlds end: thy right hand is full of righteousnes.

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

11 Let mount Zion reioyce, and the daughters of Iudah be glad, because of thy iudgements.

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

12 Compasse about Zion, and goe round about it, and tell the towres thereof.

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

13 Marke well the wall thereof: beholde her towres, that ye may tell your posteritie.

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

14 For this God is our God for euer and euer: he shall be our guide vnto the death.

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