Psalms 48 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

Yahweh is immense, and deserves every ounce of praise, in the city of our God, on the mountain that belongs to him.

Beautiful in its heights, the joy of the whole earth — Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King.

God has made himself known in her fortresses — a sure refuge.

Look — the kings assembled, they advanced together.

They took one look — and froze in shock. They panicked and ran.

Trembling seized them right there — writhing like a woman in labor.

With an east wind you shattered the ships of Tarshish.

What we heard about, we've now seen with our own eyes — in the city of Yahweh, Commander of angel armies, in the city of our God. God will keep her standing forever.

God, we have meditated on your faithful love here in the heart of your temple.

God, your reputation reaches as far as your name — to the ends of the earth. Your strong hand is full of justice.

Let Mount Zion celebrate! Let the towns of Judah shout for joy — because of your just decisions.

Walk all around Zion, circle her completely. Count her towers.

Study her walls closely. Explore her fortresses — so you can tell the next generation about it.

Because this God — he is our God, forever and always. He will guide us beyond death itself.