1 A song or Psalme committed to the sonnes of Korah. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praysed, in the Citie of our God, euen vpon his holy Mountaine. 2 Mount Zion, lying Northwarde, is faire in situation: it is the ioy of the whole earth, and the Citie of the great King. 3 In the palaces thereof God is knowen for a refuge. 4 For lo, the Kings were gathered, and went together. 5 When they sawe it, they marueiled: they were astonied, and suddenly driuen backe. 6 Feare came there vpon them, and sorowe, as vpon a woman in trauaile. 7 As with an East winde thou breakest the shippes of Tarshish, so were they destroyed. 8 As we haue heard, so haue we seene in the citie of the Lord of hostes, in the Citie of our God: God will stablish it for euer. Selah. 9 We waite for thy louing kindnes, O God, in the middes of thy Temple. 10 O God, according vnto thy Name, so is thy prayse vnto the worlds end: thy right hand is full of righteousnes. 11 Let mount Zion reioyce, and the daughters of Iudah be glad, because of thy iudgements. 12 Compasse about Zion, and goe round about it, and tell the towres thereof. 13 Marke well the wall thereof: beholde her towres, that ye may tell your posteritie. 14 For this God is our God for euer and euer: he shall be our guide vnto the death.
Zion, the City of God
1 The Lord is great and is to be highly praised
in the city of our God, on his sacred hill.
2 Zion, the mountain of God, is high and beautiful;
the city of the great king brings joy to all the world.
3 God has shown that there is safety with him
inside the fortresses of the city.
4 The kings gathered together
and came to attack Mount Zion.
5 But when they saw it, they were amazed;
they were afraid and ran away.
6 There they were seized with fear and anguish,
like a woman about to bear a child,
7 like ships tossing in a furious storm.
8 We 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 forever.
9 Inside your Temple, O God,
we think of your constant love.
10 You are praised by people everywhere,
and your fame extends over all the earth.
You rule with justice;
11 let the people of Zion be glad!
You give right judgments;
let there be joy in the cities of Judah!
12 People of God, walk around Zion and count the towers;
13 take notice of the walls and examine the fortresses,
so that you may tell the next generation:
14 “This God is our God forever and ever;
he will lead us for all time to come.”