1 The Lord God is wonderful!

He deserves all praise

in the city where he lives.

His holy mountain,

2 * beautiful and majestic,

brings joy to all on earth.

Mount Zion, truly sacred,

is home for the Great King.

3 God is there to defend it

and has proved to be

its protector.

4 Kings joined forces

to attack the city,

5 but when they saw it,

they were terrified

and ran away.

6 They trembled all over

like women giving birth

7 or like seagoing ships*

wrecked by eastern winds.

8 We had heard about it,

and now we have seen it

in the city of our God,

the Lord All-Powerful.

This is the city that God

will let stand forever.

9 Our God, here in your temple

we think about your love.

10 You are famous and praised

everywhere on earth,

as you win victories

with your powerful arm.

11 Mount Zion will celebrate,

and all Judah will be glad,

because you bring justice.

12 Let's walk around Zion

and count its towers.

13 We will see its strong walls

and visit each fortress.

Then you can say

to future generations,

14 "Our God is like this forever

and will always* guide us."