Psalm 48 | King James Version

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.

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.

3 God is known in her palaces for a refuge.

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

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

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

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

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.

9 We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy 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.

11 Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.

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

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

14 For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.

King James Bible (1769). Public Domain. Please note the following exceptions for use and publication in the United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press

New International Reader’s Version

A song. A psalm of the Sons of Korah.

1 The LORD is great. He is really worthy of praise. Praise him in the city of our God, his holy mountain.

2 Mount 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.

3 God is there to keep it safe. He has shown himself to be like a fort to the city.

4 Many kings joined forces. They entered Israel together.

5 But when they saw Mount Zion, they were amazed. They ran away in terror.

6 Trembling took hold of them. They felt pain like a woman giving birth.

7 LORD, you destroyed them like ships of Tarshish that were torn apart by an east wind.

8 What 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.

9 God, inside your temple we think about your faithful love.

10 God, 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.

11 Mount Zion is filled with joy. The villages of Judah are glad. That’s because you judge fairly.

12 Walk all around Zion. Count its towers.

13 Think carefully about its outer walls. Just look at how safe it is! Then you can tell its people that God keeps them safe.

14 This God is our God for ever and ever. He will be our guide to the very end.

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