Zion, the City of God+

1The Lord is great and is to be highly praised

in the city of our God, on his sacred hill.+

2 Zion, the mountain of God, is high and beautiful;

the city of the great king brings joy to all the world.

3God has shown that there is safety with him

inside the fortresses of the city.

4The kings gathered together

and came to attack Mount Zion.

5But when they saw it, they were amazed;

they were afraid and ran away.

6There they were seized with fear and anguish,

like a woman about to bear a child,

7like ships tossing in a furious storm.

8We have heard what God has done,

and now we have seen it

in the city of our God, the Lord Almighty;

he will keep the city safe forever.

9Inside your Temple, O God,

we think of your constant love.

10You are praised by people everywhere,

and your fame extends over all the earth.

You rule with justice;

11let the people of Zion be glad!

You give right judgments;

let there be joy in the cities of Judah!

12People of God, walk around Zion and count the towers;

13take notice of the walls and examine the fortresses,

so that you may tell the next generation:

14“This God is our God forever and ever;

he will lead us for all time to come.”