PSALMS
Three extracts from the Psalms having relevance to the protection and punishment of the Holy City of Jerusalem

The extracts are given here as they appear in the Authorized Version and in the Book of Common Prayer, since you may meet with quotations from either source. There are a thousand other scriptural sources which might have been cited, and the present texts can do no more than stand as an indication of an important tradition of thought.

Psalm 46: 1–7 (Authorized Version)

1. To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

2. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

3. Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

4. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.

5. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

6. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

7. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Psalm 46: 1–7 (Book of Common Prayer)

Deus noster refugium

1. God is our hope and strength: a very present help in trouble.

2. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be moved: and though the hills be carried into the midst of the sea.

3. Though the waters thereof rage and swell: and though the mountains shake at the tempest of the same.

4. The rivers of the flood thereof shall make glad the city of God: the holy place of the tabernacle of the most Highest.

5. God is in the midst of her, therefore shall she not be removed: God shall help her, and that right early.

6. The heathen make much ado, and the kingdoms are moved: but God hath shewed voice, and the earth shall melt away.

7. The Lord of hosts is with us: the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Psalm 48: 2–14 (Authorized Version)

2. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.

3. God is known in her palaces for a refuge.

4. For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.

5. They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away.

6. Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail.

7. Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.

8. As 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.

9. We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple.

10. According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.

11. Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.

12. Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.

13. Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following.

14. For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.

Psalm 48: 2–13 (Book of Common Prayer)

2. The hill of Sion is a fair place, and the joy of the whole earth: upon the north-side lieth the city of the great King; God is well known in her palaces as a sure refuge.

3. For lo, the kings of the earth : are gathered, and gone by together.

4. They marvelled to see such things: they were astonished, and suddenly cast down.

5. Fear came there upon them, and sorrow: as upon a woman in her travail.

6. Thou shalt break the ships of the sea: through the east wind.

7. Like as we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God: God upholdeth the same for ever.

8. We wait for thy lovingkindness, O God: in the midst of thy temple.

9. O God, according to thy Name, so is thy praise unto the world’s end: thy right hand is full of righteousness.

10. Let the mount Sion rejoice, and the daughter of Judah be glad: because of thy judgments.

11. Walk about Sion, and go round about her: and tell the towers thereof.

12. Mark well her bulwarks, set up her houses: that ye may tell them that come after.

13. For this God is our God for ever and ever: he shall be our guide unto death.

Psalm 79: 1–5 (Authorized Version)

1. God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.

2. The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth.

3. Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and there was none to bury them.

4. We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.

5. How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire?

Psalm 79: 1–5 (Book of Common Prayer)

Deus, venerunt

1. O GOD, the heathen are come into thine inheritance: thy holy temple have they defiled, and made Jerusalem an heap of stones.

2. The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the air: and the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the land.

3. Their blood have they shed like water on every side of Jerusalem: and there was no man to bury them.

4. We are become an open shame to our enemies: a very scorn and derision unto them that are round about us.

5. Lord, how long wilt thou be angry: shall thy jealousy burn like fire for ever?