Psalm 48

Abraham Coles

2 Rare and beautiful for site,
Earth's chief wonder and delight
3 Is Mount Zion: God is known
For a refuge there alone:
City, for defence renowned,
Castles, gates, and walls around.

4 Kings, assembled, on her gazed,
5 Hastened then away amazed.
6 By dismay and grief o'erta'en.
Like a travailing woman's pain;
7 Like the ships of Tarshish broke
By the east-wind's dreadful stroke.

8 As we've heard, so we have seen,
In Jehovah's City clean.
By His presence holy made —
Its foundations by Him laid
On the everlasting flint,
Which no violence can dint.

9 In Thy Temple, Lord, oft sought,
On Thy kindness we have thought.
10 To the earth's remotest ends
Praise of Thy great Name extends.
11 Let the City of Thy choice
In Thy righteousness rejoice!

12 Compass Zion, she is ours;
Walk about her; count her towers;
13 Mark her bulwarks; note ye well
All her palaces, to tell
14 To your sons her strength and pride:
God till death will be our Guide.