The City of Our God
Psalms 47
The psalm praises the city of God built on Mount Sion, describing kings of the earth who gather against it but are struck with fear and trembling at what they see there. The people are called to walk around Sion, consider her towers and palaces, and tell the next generation that this God will be their guide forever.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
Thomson—
BrentonA Psalm of praise for the sons of Core on the second day of the week.
GreekΨαλμὸς ᾠδῆς τοῖς υἱοῖς Κορὲ δευτέρᾳ σαββάτου.
KJV—
JPSA Song; a Psalm of the sons of Korah.
2
ThomsonTHE Lord is great and greatly to be praised; in the city of our God—on His holy mountain.
BrentonGreat is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in his holy mountain.
GreekΜεγὰς Κύριος, καὶ αἰνετὸς σφόδρα ἐν πόλει τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν, ἐν ὄρει ἁγίῳ αὐτοῦ.
KJVGreat is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.
JPSGreat is the LORD, and highly to be praised, In the city of our God, His holy mountain,
3
ThomsonTo the great joy of the whole earth, He is establishing firmly Sion’s mountains. On the sides to the north is the city of the great king.
BrentonThe city of the great King is well planted on the mountains of Sion, with the joy of the whole earth, on the sides of the north.
GreekΕὐρίζων, ἀγαλλιάματι πάσης τῆς γῆς, ὄρη Σιὼν τὰ πλευρὰ τοῦ βοῤῥᾶ, ἡ πόλις τοῦ βασιλέως τοῦ μεγάλου.
KJVBeautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
JPSFair in situation, the joy of the whole earth; Even mount Zion, the uttermost parts of the north, The city of the great King.
4
ThomsonGod is known in its palaces, when He undertaketh its defence.
BrentonGod is known in her palaces, when he undertakes to help her.
GreekὉ Θεὸς ἐν ταῖς βάρεσιν αὐτῆς γινώσκεται, ὅταν ἀντιλαμβάνηται αὐτῆς.
KJVGod is known in her palaces for a refuge.
JPSGod in her palaces Hath made Himself known for a stronghold.
5
ThomsonFor lo! the kings of the land assembled—they came together.
BrentonFor, behold, the kings of the earth were assembled, they came together.
GreekὍτι ἰδοὺ οἱ βασιλεῖς τῆς γῆς συνήχθησαν, ἤλθοσαν ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτό.
KJVFor, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.
JPSFor, lo, the kings assembled themselves, They came onward together.
6
Thomson—
BrentonThey saw, and so they wondered: they were troubled, they were moved.
GreekΑὐτοὶ ἰδόντες οὕτως ἐθαύμασαν, ἐταράχθησαν, ἐσαλεύθησαν,
KJVThey saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away.
JPSThey saw, straightway they were amazed; They were affrighted, they hasted away.
7
Thomsona trembling seized them: pangs were there as of a woman in travail.
BrentonTrembling took hold on them: there were the pangs as of a woman in travail.
Greekτρόμος ἐπελάβετο αὐτῶν· ἐκεῖ ὠδῖνες ὡς τικτούσης.
KJVFear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail.
JPSTrembling took hold of them there, Pangs, as of a woman in travail.
8
ThomsonWith a tempestuous blast Thou wilt dash to pieces the ships of Tarsish.
BrentonThou wilt break the ships of Tharsis with a vehement wind.
GreekἘν πνεύματι βιαίῳ συντρίψεις πλοῖα Θάρσις.
KJVThou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.
JPSWith the east wind Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish.
9
ThomsonAs we have heard, so have we seen; at the city of the Lord of armies—at the city of our God. God hath established it forever.
BrentonAs we have heard, so have we also seen, in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God: God has founded it for ever. Pause.
GreekΚαθάπερ ἠκούσαμεν, οὕτως καὶ εἴδομεν, ἐν πόλει Κυρίου τῶν δυνάμεων, ἐν πόλει τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν, ὁ Θεὸς ἐθεμελίωσεν αὐτὴν εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα· διάψαλμα.
KJVAs we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah.
JPSAs we have heard, so have we seen In the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God— God establish it for ever. Selah
10
ThomsonWe waited, O God, for Thy mercy, in the midst of Thy people.
BrentonWe have thought of thy mercy, O God, in the midst of thy people.
GreekὙπελάβομεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸ ἔλεός σου ἐν μέσῳ τοῦ λαοῦ σου.
KJVWe have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple.
JPSWe have thought on Thy lovingkindness, O God, In the midst of Thy temple.
11
ThomsonAccording to Thy name, O God; so be Thy praise to the ends of the earth. Thy right hand is full of righteousness.
BrentonAccording to thy name, O God, so is also thy praise to the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.
GreekΚατὰ τὸ ὄνομά σου ὁ Θεὸς, οὕτως καὶ ἡ αἴνεσίς σου ἐπὶ τὰ πέρατα τῆς γῆς, δικαιοσύνης πλήρης ἡ δεξιά σου.
KJVAccording to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.
JPSAs is Thy name, O God, So is Thy praise unto the ends of the earth; Thy right hand is full of righteousness.
12
ThomsonLet mount Sion be gladdened: and let the daughters of Judea exult for joy; because of Thy judgments, O Lord.
BrentonLet mount Sion rejoice, let the daughters of Judæa exult, because of thy judgments, O Lord.
GreekΕὐφρανθήτω τὸ ὄρος Σιὼν, ἀγαλλιάσθωσαν αἱ θυγατέρες τῆς Ἰουδαίας ἕνεκα τῶν κριμάτων σου Κύριε.
KJVLet mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.
JPSLet mount Zion be glad, Let the daughters of Judah rejoice, Because of Thy judgments.
13
ThomsonGo round Sion, and encompass it: make proclamation in the towers thereof;
BrentonGo round about Sion, and encompass her: tell ye her towers.
GreekΚυκλώσατε Σιὼν, καὶ περιλάβετε αὐτὴν, διηγήσασθε ἐν τοῖς πύργοις αὐτῆς.
KJVWalk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.
JPSWalk about Zion, and go round about her; Count the towers thereof.
14
Thomsonmark with attention its strength; and take a distinct view of its palaces: that you may tell another generation,
BrentonMark ye well her strength, and observe her palaces; that ye may tell the next generation.
GreekΘέσθε τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν εἰς τὴν δύναμιν αὐτῆς, καὶ καταδιέλεσθε τὰς βάρεις αὐτῆς, ὅπως ἂν διηγήσησθε εἰς γενεὰν ἑτέραν.
KJVMark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following.
JPSMark ye well her ramparts, Traverse her palaces; That ye may tell it to the generation following. .
15
Thomsonthat He is our God forever and ever. He will tend us as a shepherd for evermore.
BrentonFor this is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide for evermore.
GreekὍτι οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα καὶ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος, αὐτὸς ποιμανεῖ ἡμᾶς εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας.
KJVFor this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.
JPSFor such is God, our God, for ever and ever; He will guide us eternally.