1A 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.2Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.3God is known in her palaces for a refuge.4For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.5They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away.6Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail.7Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.8As 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.9We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple.10According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.11Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.12Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.13Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following.14For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.
Psalm 48
New International Reader’s Version
A song. A psalm of the Sons of Korah.
1The LORD is great. He is really worthy of praise. Praise him in the city of our God, his holy mountain.2Mount Zion is high and beautiful. It brings joy to everyone on earth. Mount Zion is like the highest parts of Mount Zaphon. It is the city of the Great King.3God is there to keep it safe. He has shown himself to be like a fort to the city.4Many kings joined forces. They entered Israel together.5But when they saw Mount Zion, they were amazed. They ran away in terror.6Trembling took hold of them. They felt pain like a woman giving birth.7LORD, you destroyed them like ships of Tarshish that were torn apart by an east wind.8What we heard we have also seen. We have seen it in the city of the LORD who rules over all. We have seen it in the city of our God. We have heard and seen that God makes it secure for ever.9God, inside your temple we think about your faithful love.10God, your fame reaches from one end of the earth to the other. So people praise you from one end of the earth to the other. You use your power to do what is right.11Mount Zion is filled with joy. The villages of Judah are glad. That’s because you judge fairly.12Walk all around Zion. Count its towers.13Think carefully about its outer walls. Just look at how safe it is! Then you can tell its people that God keeps them safe.14This God is our God for ever and ever. He will be our guide to the very end.