² Beautiful^(E) in its loftiness,
    the joy of the whole earth,
like the heights of Zaphon^[b](F) is Mount Zion,^(G)
    the city of the Great King.^(H)
3 God is in her citadels;^(I)
    he has shown himself to be her fortress.^(J)

⁴ When the kings joined forces,
    when they advanced together,^(K)
5 they saw her and were astounded;
    they fled in terror.^(L)
6 Trembling seized^(M) them there,
    pain like that of a woman in labor.^(N)
7 You destroyed them like ships of Tarshish^(O)
    shattered by an east wind.^(P)

⁸ As we have heard,
    so we have seen
in the city of the Lord Almighty,
    in the city of our God:
God makes her secure
    forever.^[c](Q)

⁹ Within your temple, O God,
    we meditate^(R) on your unfailing love.^(S)
10 Like your name,^(T) O God,
    your praise reaches to the ends of the earth;^(U)
    your right hand is filled with righteousness.
¹¹ Mount Zion rejoices,
    the villages of Judah are glad
    because of your judgments.^(V)

¹² Walk about Zion, go around her,
    count her towers,^(W)
13 consider well her ramparts,^(X)
    view her citadels,^(Y)
that you may tell of them
    to the next generation.^(Z)

¹⁴ For this God is our God for ever and ever;
    he will be our guide^(AA) even to the end.

⁵ Why should I fear^(AK) when evil days come,
    when wicked deceivers surround me—
⁶ those who trust in their wealth^(AL)
    and boast^(AM) of their great riches?^(AN)
7 No one can redeem the life of another
    or give to God a ransom for them—
⁸ the ransom^(AO) for a life is costly,
    no payment is ever enough—^(AP)
9 so that they should live on^(AQ) forever
    and not see decay.^(AR)
10 For all can see that the wise die,^(AS)
    that the foolish and the senseless^(AT) also perish,
    leaving their wealth^(AU) to others.^(AV)
11 Their tombs^(AW) will remain their houses^[e] forever,
    their dwellings for endless generations,^(AX)
    though they had^[f] named^(AY) lands after themselves.

¹² People, despite their wealth, do not endure;^(AZ)
    they are like the beasts that perish.^(BA)

¹³ This is the fate of those who trust in themselves,^(BB)
    and of their followers, who approve their sayings.^[g]
14 They are like sheep and are destined^(BC) to die;^(BD)
    death will be their shepherd
    (but the upright will prevail^(BE) over them in the morning).
Their forms will decay in the grave,
    far from their princely mansions.
¹⁵ But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead;^(BF)
    he will surely take me to himself.^(BG)
16 Do not be overawed when others grow rich,
    when the splendor of their houses increases;
¹⁷ for they will take nothing^(BH) with them when they die,
    their splendor will not descend with them.^(BI)
18 Though while they live they count themselves blessed—^(BJ)
    and people praise you when you prosper—
¹⁹ they will join those who have gone before them,^(BK)
    who will never again see the light^(BL) of life.

²⁰ People who have wealth but lack understanding^(BM)
    are like the beasts that perish.^(BN)

⁵ Blessed are those whose strength^(H) is in you,
    whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.^(I)
6 As they pass through the Valley of Baka,
    they make it a place of springs;^(J)
    the autumn^(K) rains also cover it with pools.^[d]
7 They go from strength to strength,^(L)
    till each appears^(M) before God in Zion.^(N)

⁸ Hear my prayer,^(O) Lord God Almighty;
    listen to me, God of Jacob.
⁹ Look on our shield,^[e](P) O God;
    look with favor on your anointed one.^(Q)

¹⁰ Better is one day in your courts
    than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper^(R) in the house of my God
    than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
¹¹ For the Lord God is a sun^(S) and shield;^(T)
    the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold^(U)
    from those whose walk is blameless.

¹² Lord Almighty,
    blessed^(V) is the one who trusts in you.

⁴ Restore^(AB) us again, God our Savior,^(AC)
    and put away your displeasure toward us.
⁵ Will you be angry with us forever?^(AD)
    Will you prolong your anger through all generations?
⁶ Will you not revive^(AE) us again,
    that your people may rejoice^(AF) in you?
⁷ Show us your unfailing love,^(AG) Lord,
    and grant us your salvation.^(AH)

⁸ I will listen to what God the Lord says;
    he promises peace^(AI) to his people, his faithful servants—
    but let them not turn to folly.^(AJ)
9 Surely his salvation^(AK) is near those who fear him,
    that his glory^(AL) may dwell in our land.

¹⁰ Love and faithfulness^(AM) meet together;
    righteousness^(AN) and peace kiss each other.
¹¹ Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
    and righteousness^(AO) looks down from heaven.
¹² The Lord will indeed give what is good,^(AP)
    and our land will yield^(AQ) its harvest.
¹³ Righteousness goes before him
    and prepares the way for his steps.

³ Glorious things are said of you,
    city of God:^[a](C)
4 “I will record Rahab^[b](D) and Babylon
    among those who acknowledge me—
Philistia^(E) too, and Tyre^(F), along with Cush^[c]—
    and will say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’”^[d](G)
5 Indeed, of Zion it will be said,
    “This one and that one were born in her,
    and the Most High himself will establish her.”
⁶ The Lord will write in the register^(H) of the peoples:
    “This one was born in Zion.”

⁷ As they make music^(I) they will sing,
    “All my fountains^(J) are in you.”