The Greatness of God in Zion
A song. A psalm of the sons of Korah.The Hebrew Bible counts the superscription as the first verse of the psalm; the English verse number is reduced by one
1 Yahweh is great and very worthy of praise
in the city of our God, in his holy mountain.Literally "mountain of holiness"
2 Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth,
is Mount Zion,Literally "the mountain of Zion" in the far north,Literally "far of north"; the word translated "north" could refer to Mount Zaphon
the city of the great king.
3 God is in her citadels;
he is known as a high stronghold.
4 For see, the kings assembled;That is, preparing for battle
they advanced together.
5 They themselves sawLiterally "They, they saw" it, so they were astonished.
They were terrified; they ran off.
6 Trembling seized them there—
pain as of a woman in labor.
7 With an east wind
you shatterA few Hebrew manuscripts read "like an east wind that shatters" the ships of Tarshish.That is, ships that can sail to Tarshish, i.e. well built, able to traverse great distances
8 As we have heard, so we have seen
in the city of Yahweh of hosts, in the city of our God.
God will establish her forever. Selah
9 We have pondered your loyal love, O God,
in the midst of your temple.
10 As is your name, O God, so is your praise
to the ends of the earth.
Your right hand is full of righteousness.
11 Let Mount ZionLiterally "the mountain of Zion" rejoice;
let the daughters of Judah rejoice
because of your judgments.
12 Walk about Zion and circle it;
count her towers.
13 Consider wellLiterally "Set your heart to" her ramparts.
Go through her citadels
so that you can tell the next generation
14 that this is God, our God forever and ever.
He himselfLiterally "he, he will …" will guide us until death.