The Beauty of Zion
Study note
The Lord is great and worthy of praise in his city. Mount Zion, the city of the great King, is beautiful and the joy of the whole earth.
1 The Lord is so great, and he deserves all the praise we can give. We praise him in his own city, on his holy mountain. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.
2 Mount Zion rises up beautifully on its northern side — it is the joy of the whole world, the city of the great King. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
3 God has shown himself inside the city's strong walls as a completely trustworthy place of safety. God is known in her palaces for a refuge.
Kings Flee in Terror
Study note
When enemy kings gathered to attack, they saw the city and were shocked, trembled, and fled. God will establish it forever.
4 Look at what happened! Kings banded together and marched forward as one. For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.
5 But the moment they saw the city, they were stunned. Terror struck them and they bolted. They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away.
6 They started shaking there on the spot — seized by pain like a woman giving birth. Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail.
7 You wrecked the mighty ships of Tarshish with a powerful east wind. Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.
8 We had heard the stories, and now we have seen it with our own eyes in the city of the Lord of heaven's armies, in the city of our God. God will keep it standing forever. Selah. As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah.
Walk Around Zion
Study note
The people meditate on God's love in his temple. They are told to walk around Zion and count its towers so they can tell the next generation that this God is their God forever.
9 God, as we stand inside your temple, we think deeply about your loyal love. We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple.
10 God, your fame stretches as far as your name — all the way to the ends of the earth. Your strong right hand overflows with justice. According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.
11 Mount Zion is bursting with joy! The towns of Judah celebrate because of your decisions. Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.
12 Take a walk all around Zion. Count every tower. Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.
13 Study her walls closely. Look over her strongholds, so you can pass the story along to the generation coming after you. Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following.
14 Because this God — he is our God forever and ever. He will guide us right up to the very end. For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.