Psalms 48

₁The LORD is great and is to be highly praised

in the city of our God, on his sacred hill.

₂Zion, the mountain of God, is high and beautiful;

the city of the great king brings joy to all the world.

₃God has shown that there is safety with him

inside the fortresses of the city.

₄The kings gathered together

and came to attack Mount Zion.

₅But when they saw it, they were amazed;

they were afraid and ran away.

₆There they were seized with fear and anguish,

like a woman about to bear a child,

₇like ships tossing in a furious storm.

₈We have heard what God has done,

and now we have seen it

in the city of our God, the LORD Almighty;

he will keep the city safe for ever.

₉Inside your Temple, O God,

we think of your constant love.

₁₀You are praised by people everywhere,

and your fame extends over all the earth.

You rule with justice;

₁₁let the people of Zion be glad!

You give right judgements;

let there be joy in the cities of Judah!

₁₂People of God, walk round Zion and count the towers;

₁₃take notice of the walls and examine the fortresses,

so that you may tell the next generation:

₁₄“This God is our God for ever and ever;

he will lead us for all time to come.”