Psalm 48

(By the descendants of Korah)

How great is Jehovah and worthy of our praise,
In the city of our god, on his holy mountain.
Grand in elevation, a joy to all the earth,
On Mount Zion’s northern slope, lies the great king’s city.
The palaces of God are known as fortresses.
For, behold, when the kings of the earth assembled
And together approached the city, they saw it
And were dazzled and, in fright, beat a hasty retreat.
Panic seized them and pain, like a woman in labor. ---
You smashed them like the ships of Tarshish in an east wind.

As once we heard about it, so now have we seen
The city of Jehovah, the master of armies,
The city of our god, established forever.

Within your temple we contemplate
Upon your loving kindness, O God.
As your name merits, O God, your praise
Extends to the ends of the earth.
With your right hand you wield justice.
(Mount Zion and the towns of Judah
Rejoice because of your judgments).

Examine Zion and walk around it,
Counting the towers of Jerusalem.
Note its ramparts and survey its citadels,
That you may tell future generations.

For this is our god, forever and ever,
And he will guide us even beyond death.