Psalm 48

1. Great is the LORD! Him greatly laud
   within the city of our God.
   To him your thankful praises render.
   His holy mountain soars in splendour.
   Joy and pride of all the earth,
   she proclaims her Maker’s worth.
   In the north the city towers;
   there the great King shows his powers.
   He, her sure defence, will ever
   be her strength, forsake her never.
   
   
2. Her foes joined forces to advance
   and led their troops with confidence,
   but when those kings her walls surrounded,
   they stood aghast and were astounded.
   Stunned and shaken by the sight,
   they in panic took to flight;
   seized by pain, they quaked and trembled –
   pains that labour pangs resembled –
   as when, by an east wind battered,
   ships of Tarshish all are scattered.
   
   
3. As we have heard, so have we seen
   here in the city, God’s domain,
   which he establishes forever:
   the LORD of hosts forsakes her never.
   In your temple we give thought
   to the peace your hand has brought,
   and your steadfast love we ponder.
   Your great name, O God of wonder,
   and your praise, your exaltation,
   reach the earth’s remotest nation.
   
   
4. God’s love and righteousness abound.
   Let Zion’s mount with joy resound;
   let Judah’s daughters be rejoicing,
   the praises of his judgments voicing.
   Walk round Zion’s citadels,
   count her towers and crenelles,
   see her walls, her strong foundations;
   tell the coming generations:
   Such is God, our God, forever;
   he, our guide, will leave us never.