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

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

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.^[b](M)