[1] How great is the Lord! How much we should praise him. He lives upon Mount Zion in Jerusalem. [2] What a glorious sight! See Mount Zion rising north of the city high above the plains for all to see-Mount Zion, joy of all the earth, the residence of the great King. [3] God himself is the defender of Jerusalem. [4] The kings of the earth have arrived together to inspect the city. [5] They marvel at the sight and hurry home again, [6] afraid of what they have seen; they are filled with panic like a woman in travail! [7] For God destroys the mightiest warships with a breath of wind. [8] We have heard of the city's glory-the city of our God, the Commander of the armies of heaven. And now we see it for ourselves! God has established Jerusalem forever. [9] Lord, here in your Temple we meditate upon your kindness and your love. [10] Your name is known throughout the earth, O God. You are praised everywhere for the salvation you have scattered throughout the world. [11] O Jerusalem, rejoice! O people of Judah, rejoice! For God will see to it that you are finally treated fairly. [12] Go, inspect the city! Walk around and count her many towers! [13] Note her walls and tour her palaces so that you can tell your children. [14] For this great God is our God forever and ever. He will be our guide until we die.
