48Magnus Dominus
1Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised; *
in the city of our God is his holy hill.
2Beautiful and lofty, the joy of all the earth, is the hill of Zion, *
the very center of the world and the city of the great King.
3God is in her citadels; *
he is known to be her sure refuge.
4Behold, the kings of the earth assembled *
and marched forward together.
5They looked and were astounded; *
they retreated and fled in terror.
6Trembling seized them there; *
they writhed like a woman in childbirth,
like ships of the sea when the east wind shatters them.
7As we have heard, so have we seen,
in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God; *
God has established her for ever.
8We have waited in silence on your loving‑kindness, O God, *
in the midst of your temple.
9Your praise, like your Name, O God, reaches to the world’s end; *
your right hand is full of justice.
10Let Mount Zion be glad
and the cities of Judah rejoice, *
because of your judgments.
11Make the circuit of Zion;
walk round about her; *
count the number of her towers.
