Psalms 48

1 Yahweh is great, and he deserves to be greatly praised in the city where he [lives], [which is built on Zion], his sacred hill.

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 That city, on a high [hill], is beautiful; it is the city where the true [God], the great king, [lives], and it causes people all over the world to rejoice [when they see it].

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 in the strong towers there, and he shows that he protects the people in that city.

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

4 Many kings gathered [with their armies] to attack [that city],

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

5 but when they saw it, they were amazed; they became terrified, and ran away.

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

6 Because they were very afraid, they trembled like a woman who is about to give birth to a child;

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

7 they shook [like] ships sailing from Tarshish are shaken by a strong wind.

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

8 We had heard [that this city is glorious], and now we have seen that it is. It is the city in which Yahweh, the almighty one, [lives]. It is the city which God will preserve/protect forever.

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 God, [here] in your temple we think about how you faithfully love us.

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

10 You [MTY] are famous and (are praised/people praise you) all over the earth, because you rule powerfully [MTY] and justly.

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

11 The people who live near Zion Hill should be happy! The people in [all] the cities [MTY] in Judah should rejoice because you judge people fairly.

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

12 [You Israeli people should] walk around Zion [Hill] and count the towers there;

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

13 notice the walls there and examine the forts in order that you can tell about them to your children.

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

14 [Say to them], “This is [the city that belongs to] our God, [the one who lives] forever; he will guide us all of our lives.”

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