| 1 | On the holy hills stands the city [of Jerusalem and the temple] God founded. |
| 2 | The Lord loves the gates of Zion [through which the crowds of pilgrims enter from all nations] more than all the dwellings of Jacob (Israel). |
| 3 | Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God.
Selah
[pause, and calmly realize what that means]! |
| 4 | I will make mention of Rahab [the poetic name for Egypt] and Babylon as among those who know [the city of God]—behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Ethiopia (Cush)—[saying], This man was born there. |
| 5 | Yes, of Zion it shall be said, This man and that man were born in her, for the Most High Himself will establish her. |
| 6 | The Lord shall count, when He registers the peoples, that this man was born there.
Selah
[pause, and calmly think of that]! |
| 7 | The singers as well as the players on instruments shall say, All my springs (my sources of life and joy) are in you [city of our God]. |