1A Song. A Psalm by the sons of Korah. The Lord is great, and he should be greatly praised, in the city of our God, on his holy mountain.
2Beautiful in its height, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion, on the northern side, the city of the great King.
3God has shown himself in its fortresses to be a safe place.
4Look, the kings gathered together; they came forward together.
5When they saw it, they were amazed. They were terrified. They ran away in a hurry.
6Trembling seized them there, pain, like a woman in labor.
7With an east wind, you destroy the ships of Tarshish.
8Just as we had heard, so we have seen, in the city of the Lord of Armies, in the city of our God. God will make it stand firm forever. (Pause and think about that.)
9We have thought about your faithful love, God, in the middle of your temple.
10God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth, just like your name. Your power is always right and just.
11Let Mount Zion be happy! Let the towns of Judah celebrate because of your just decisions.
12Walk around Zion, go all the way around it, and count its towers.
13Pay close attention to its strong walls. Look carefully at its beautiful buildings, so you can tell the next generation about them.
14Because this God is our God forever and ever. He will lead us even until we die.