Psalms 48

1 A Song [and] Psalm for the sons of Korah. Great [is] the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, [in] the mountain of his holiness.

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 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, [is] mount Zion, [on] the sides of the north, the city 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 God is known in her palaces for a refuge.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

7 Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.

just as the strong east wind wrecks the ships from 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 will establish it for ever. (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 have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 ever and ever: he will be our guide [even] unto death.

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