¹A song, a psalm by the Korahites. The Lord is great and certainly worthy of praise in the city of our God, his holy hill. ²It is lofty and pleasing to look at, a source of joy to the whole earth. Mount Zion resembles the peaks of Zaphon; it is the city of the great king. ³God is in its fortresses; he reveals himself as its defender. ⁴For look, the kings assemble; they advance together. ⁵As soon as they see, they are shocked; they are terrified, they quickly retreat. ⁶Look at them shake uncontrollably, like a woman writhing in childbirth. ⁷With an east wind you shatter the large ships. ⁸We heard about God’s mighty deeds; now we have seen them, in the city of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, in the city of our God. God makes it permanently secure. (Selah)⁹Within your temple we reflect on your loyal love, O God. ¹⁰The praise you receive as far away as the ends of the earth is worthy of your reputation, O God. You execute justice. ¹¹Mount Zion rejoices; the towns of Judah are happy, because of your acts of judgment. ¹²Walk around Zion. Encircle it. Count its towers. ¹³Consider its defenses. Walk through its fortresses, so you can tell the next generation about it.¹⁴For God, our God, is our defender forever. He guides us.