Psalms 48

1 Great [supreme, majestic] is the LORD [Yehovah], and greatly [highly, exceedingly] to be praised [worshiped, admired] in the city [town, community] of our God [the Lord of our salvation], His [His own, sacred] holy [set apart, consecrated] mountain [hill, sacred place]. word study 2 Beautiful [lovely to behold, exquisite] in loftiness [elevation, high position], the joy [delight, happiness] of all the earth [the whole world, all nations], like the peaks [sides, mountains] of Zaphon [in the north] is Mount Zion [the mountain of God, the holy hill], the city [town, settlement] of the great [mighty, powerful] King [Ruler, Sovereign]. word study 3 God [the supreme Ruler, Elohim] is in her citadels [strong towers, high places]; He has shown Himself [revealed His presence, made Himself known] to be a fortress [a refuge, a strong defense, for a refuge, a place of safety]. word study 4 For behold [look, see], the kings [rulers, monarchs] assembled [gathered, came together]; they all [as one, united] advanced [passed by, moved forward] together [in agreement, as one]. word study 5 They saw [beheld, gazed upon] and were astounded [amazed, marvelled]; they fled [hasted away, ran quickly] in terror [dismayed, troubled]. word study 6 Trembling [fear, dismay] seized them there, anguish [pain, as of a woman in travail] like a woman [in childbirth, with labor pains] in labor [travail, giving birth]. word study 7 With a wind [strong and powerful] from the east You wrecked [shattered, broke apart] the ships [vessels, naval vessels] of Tarshish [a distant, maritime region]. word study 8 As we have heard [through tradition, by report], so we have seen [with our own eyes, experienced] in the city [metropolis, dwelling place] of the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God] of Hosts [armies, heavenly forces], in the city [capital, sacred center] of our God [Elohim, the mighty One]: God [the Almighty, Sovereign] will establish [make firm, secure] her [the city, Zion] forever [to the age, eternally]. Selah [pause, reflect] word study 9 Within Your [holy, sacred] temple [sanctuary, place of worship], O God [Elohim, the supreme Creator], we contemplate [think deeply about, reflect on] Your loving devotion [kindness, faithful love, covenant loyalty]. word study 10 Your name [reputation, fame], O God [Elohim, the supreme deity], like Your praise [worship, adoration], reaches to the ends [farthest limits] of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness [justice, moral integrity]. word study 11 Mount Zion [the city of God, the holy mountain] is glad [rejoices, celebrates], the daughters of Judah [the people of Judah, the cities of Judah] rejoice [are glad, joyful], on account of Your [God’s, the Lord’s] judgments [righteous decisions, fair verdicts, wise rulings]. word study 12 March [walk, go] around Zion [the city of God, a mountain in Jerusalem], encircle [compass, go round about] her, count [number, tell] her towers [strongholds, fortified structures], word study 13 consider [mark ye well, notice] her ramparts [bulwarks, strong walls], tour [inspect, examine] her citadels [palaces, towers], that you may tell [recount, give word] the next generation [the generation following, your posterity]. word study 14 For this God [our eternal Father, the supreme Guide] is our God [the one true God, our Rock] forever and ever [through all ages, to eternity]; He will be our guide [our Leader, our Shepherd] even till [unto, until the moment of] death [the end of our earthly journey]. word study