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 How long,^(J) Lord? Will you be angry^(K) forever?
    How long will your jealousy burn like fire?^(L)
6 Pour out your wrath^(M) on the nations
    that do not acknowledge^(N) you,
on the kingdoms
    that do not call on your name;^(O)
7 for they have devoured^(P) Jacob
    and devastated his homeland.

⁸ Do not hold against us the sins of past generations;^(Q)
    may your mercy come quickly to meet us,
    for we are in desperate need.^(R)
9 Help us,^(S) God our Savior,
    for the glory of your name;
deliver us and forgive our sins
    for your name’s sake.^(T)
10 Why should the nations say,
    “Where is their God?”^(U)

Before our eyes, make known among the nations
    that you avenge^(V) the outpoured blood^(W) of your servants.
¹¹ May the groans of the prisoners come before you;
    with your strong arm preserve those condemned to die.
¹² Pay back into the laps^(X) of our neighbors seven times^(Y)
    the contempt they have hurled at you, Lord.
¹³ Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture,^(Z)
    will praise you forever;^(AA)
from generation to generation
    we will proclaim your praise.

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.

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.”