Psalm 48: Magnus Dominus

Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised; *

in the city of our God is his holy hill.

Beautiful and lofty, the joy of all the earth, is the

hill of Zion, *

the very center of the world and the city of the great King.

God is in her citadels; *

he is known to be her sure refuge.

Behold, the kings of the earth assembled *

and marched forward together.

They looked and were astounded; *

they retreated and fled in terror.

Trembling seized them there; *

they writhed like a woman in childbirth,

like ships of the sea when the east wind shatters them.

As we have heard, so have we seen,

in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God; *

God has established her for ever.

We have waited in silence on your loving-kindness, O God, *

in the midst of your temple.

Your praise, like your Name, O God, reaches to the world's end; *

your right hand is full of justice.

Let Mount Zion be glad

and the cities of Judah rejoice, *

because of your judgments.

Make the circuit of Zion;

walk round about her; *

count the number of her towers.

Consider well her bulwarks;

examine her strongholds; *

that you may tell those who come after.

This God is our God for ever and ever; *

he shall be our guide for evermore.