1 Great is the LORD our God,
and greatly to be praised.
2 Upon a hill God’s city stands
in glorious beauty raised–
his holy mountain high,
Mount Zion in the north,
the city of the mighty King,
the joy of all the earth.
3 God makes his city strong
by living in its halls.
4 When kings join forces and advance,
they marvel at its walls.
5 They stood and looked amazed,
in terror took to flight,
6 as anguish gripped like labor pains,
they trembled in their fright.
7 LORD, you have dashed the ships
of Tarshish in your might;
you battered them with eastern winds,
destroyed them in the fight.
8 What we have heard is seen
within your city, LORD:
the LORD of hosts establishes
God’s city evermore.
9 Within your temple, LORD,
in that most holy place,
we on your lovingkindness dwell,
the wonders of your grace.
10 Your people sing your praise
where’er your name is known;
by ev’ry deed your hand has done
your righteousness is shown.
11 Let Zion now rejoice
and all its daughters sing;
let them with thankfulness proclaim
the judgment of their King.
12 Mount Zion’s walls behold,
about its ramparts go,
and number all the lofty tow’rs
that guard it from the foe.
13 Observe its palaces,
mark its defenses well,
that to the children after you,
its glories you may tell.
14 For God, as our own God,
forever will abide,
and till life’s journey close in death
will be our faithful guide.
– vv. 1-6, 9-14 Psalter Hymnal, alt.; v. 7-8 Trinity Psalter Hymnal, alt.;
Oremus 