Psalms 48

Psalm 48

The Glory and Strength of Zion

1Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised[#Ps 96.4; Zech 8.3]

in the city of our God.

His holy mountain,

2beautiful in elevation,[#Ps 50.2; Lam 2.15; Mt 5.35]

is the joy of all the earth,

Mount Zion, in the far north,

the city of the great King.

3Within its citadels God[#Ps 46.7]

has shown himself a sure defense.

4Then the kings assembled;[#2 Sam 10.6–19]

they came on together.

5As soon as they saw it, they were astounded;[#Ex 15.15]

they were in panic; they took to flight;

6trembling took hold of them there,

pains as of a woman in labor,

7as when an east wind shatters[#Jer 18.17]

the ships of Tarshish.

8As we have heard, so have we seen

in the city of the Lord of hosts,

in the city of our God,

which God establishes forever. Selah

9We ponder your steadfast love, O God,

in the midst of your temple.

10Your name, O God, like your praise,[#Josh 7.9; Isa 41.10]

reaches to the ends of the earth.

Your right hand is filled with victory.

11Let Mount Zion be glad;[#Ps 97.8]

let the towns of Judah rejoice

because of your judgments.

12Walk about Zion; go all around it;

count its towers;

13consider well its ramparts;[#Ps 78.5–7; 122.7]

go through its citadels,

that you may tell the next generation

14that this is God,[#Ps 23.4]

our God forever and ever.

He will be our guide forever.

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition, copyright © 2021 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Published by: National Council of the Churches of Christ