Psalm 48

A song. A psalm of the descendants of Korah.

1How great is the Lord,

how deserving of praise,

in the city of our God,

which sits on his holy mountain!

2It is high and magnificent;

the whole earth rejoices to see it!

Mount Zion, the holy mountain,*

is the city of the great King!

3God himself is in Jerusalem’s towers,

revealing himself as its defender.

4The kings of the earth joined forces

and advanced against the city.

5But when they saw it, they were stunned;

they were terrified and ran away.

6They were gripped with terror

and writhed in pain like a woman in labor.

7You destroyed them like the mighty ships of Tarshish

shattered by a powerful east wind.

8We had heard of the city’s glory,

but now we have seen it ourselves—

the city of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

It is the city of our God;

he will make it safe forever.

Interlude

9O God, we meditate on your unfailing love

as we worship in your Temple.

10As your name deserves, O God,

you will be praised to the ends of the earth.

Your strong right hand is filled with victory.

11Let the people on Mount Zion rejoice.

Let all the towns of Judah be glad

because of your justice.

12Go, inspect the city of Jerusalem.*

Walk around and count the many towers.

13Take note of the fortified walls,

and tour all the citadels,

that you may describe them

to future generations.

14For that is what God is like.

He is our God forever and ever,

and he will guide us until we die.