Psalm 48

Great is the LORD who rules on high;

with praise his temple fill

Within the city of our God

and on his holy hill.

Mount Zion, with its graceful height,

gives joy to all the earth;

The Great King’s city far excels

the mountains of the north.

Within her citadels and towers

God’s presence is revealed,

For he has shown himself to be

her fortress and her shield.

When kings joined forces to attack,

as one they marched ahead.

They saw her and they were amazed;

they all in terror fled.

Like women giving birth in pain

they trembled in dismay.

You wrecked them like a merchant fleet

by tempest blown away.

As we have heard, so have we seen:

God’s city will endure;

The LORD Almighty evermore

his city keeps secure.

We contemplate your steadfast love

within your house, O God;

For, like your name, your praise extends

through all the earth abroad.

All that you do is righteous, LORD.

Mount Zion’s joy is great,

And Judah’s towns rejoice, as they

your judgments celebrate.

Round Zion walk and count her towers;

view every citadel,

So that to children yet unborn

her story you may tell.

For God the LORD, who is our God,

for ever will abide;

He is our God for evermore

and to the end our guide.