Psalms 46

God the Refuge of His People.

1 God is our ¹refuge and strength, A very ²present help ³in trouble.

2 Therefore * we will ⁴not fear, though ⁵the earth should change And though ⁶the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;

3 Though its ⁷waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.

4 There is a ⁸river whose streams make glad the ⁹city of God, The holy ¹⁰dwelling places of the Most High.

5 God is ¹¹in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will ¹²help her when morning dawns.

6 The nations ¹³made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He ¹⁴raised His voice, the earth ¹⁵melted.

7 The LORD of hosts ¹⁶is with us; The God of Jacob is ¹⁷our stronghold. Selah.

8 Come, ¹⁸behold the works of the LORD, Who has wrought ¹⁹desolations in the earth.

9 He ²⁰makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He ²¹breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He ²²burns the chariots with fire.

10 "Cease striving and ²³know that I am God; I will be ²⁴exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

11 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.

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Psalms 46 Commentary

Chapter 46

Confidence in God. (1-5) An exhortation to behold it. (6-11)

Verses 1-5 This psalm encourages to hope and trust in God; in his power and providence, and his gracious presence with his church in the worst of times. We may apply it to spiritual enemies, and the encouragement we have that, through Christ, we shall be conquerors over them. He is a Help, a present Help, a Help found, one whom we have found to be so; a Help at hand, one that is always near; we cannot desire a better, nor shall we ever find the like in any creature. Let those be troubled at the troubling of the waters, who build their confidence on a floating foundation; but let not those be alarmed who are led to the Rock, and there find firm footing. Here is joy to the church, even in sorrowful times. The river alludes to the graces and consolations of the Holy Spirit, which flow through every part of the church, and through God's sacred ordinances, gladdening the heart of every believer. It is promised that the church shall not be moved. If God be in our hearts, by his word dwelling richly in us, we shall be established, we shall be helped; let us trust and not be afraid.

Verses 6-11 Come and see the effects of desolating judgments, and stand in awe of God. This shows the perfect security of the church, and is an assurance of lasting peace. Let us pray for the speedy approach of these glorious days, and in silent submission let us worship and trust in our almighty Sovereign. Let all believers triumph in this, that the Lord of hosts, the God of Jacob, has been, is, and will be with us; and will be our Refuge. Mark this, take the comfort, and say, If God be for us, who can be against us? With this, through life and in death, let us answer every fear.

Taken from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)

Cross References 24

1. Psalms 14:6; Psalms 62:7, 8
2. Deuteronomy 4:7; Psalms 145:18
3. Psalms 9:9
4. Psalms 23:4; Psalms 27:1
5. Psalms 82:5
6. Psalms 18:7
7. Psalms 93:3, 4; Jeremiah 5:22
8. Psalms 36:8; Psalms 65:9; Isaiah 8:6; Revelation 22:1
9. Psalms 48:1; Psalms 87:3; Psalms 101:8; Isaiah 60:14; Revelation 3:12
10. Psalms 43:3
11. Deuteronomy 23:14; Isaiah 12:6; Ezekiel 43:7, 9; Hosea 11:9; Joel 2:27; Zechariah 2:5
12. Psalms 37:40; Isaiah 41:14; Luke 1:54
13. Psalms 2:1, 2
14. Psalms 18:13; Psalms 68:33; Jeremiah 25:30; Joel 2:11; Amos 1:2
15. Amos 9:5; Micah 1:4; Nahum 1:5
16. Numbers 14:9; 2 Chronicles 13:12
17. Psalms 9:9; Psalms 48:3
18. Psalms 66:5
19. Isaiah 61:4; Jeremiah 51:43
20. Isaiah 2:4; Micah 4:3
21. 1 Samuel 2:4; Psalms 76:3
22. Isaiah 9:5; Ezekiel 39:9
23. Psalms 100:3
24. Isaiah 2:11, 17

Footnotes 10

[a]. Or "Abundantly available for help"
[b]. Or "tight places"
[c]. Lit "seas"
[d]. "Selah" may mean: "Pause, Crescendo" or "Musical interlude"
[e]. Lit "at the turning of the morning"
[f]. Or "Gentiles"
[g]. Lit "gave forth"
[h]. Or "Which He has wrought as desolations"
[i]. Or "Let go, relax"
[j]. Or "Gentiles"

Chapter Summary

To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. The word "Alamoth" is thought by some, as Aben Ezra, to be the beginning of a song, to which this psalm was set; and by others a high tune, such as virgins express; and by others the name of musical instruments, as Jarchi and Kimchi; which seems most likely, since it is mentioned with other instruments of music in 1 Chronicles 15:19; and may not unfitly be rendered "virginals," from the sound of them being like the shrill voice of virgins, which this word signifies; though others choose to render it "of hidden things," {s}, making it to design the subject matter of the psalm, the secret counsels and purposes of God, both in a way of love and grace to his people, and of judgment to his enemies. Some think this psalm was occasioned by the victories which David obtained over the Ammonites and Moabites, and other neighbouring countries; and others are of opinion that it was penned on account of the siege of Jerusalem by Sennacherib being raised, in the times of Hezekiah: but it seems rather to be a prophecy of the church in Gospel times, and is applicable to any time of confusion and distress the nations of the world may be in through any kind of calamity, when those that trust in the Lord have no reason in the least to be afraid. Kimchi says this psalm belongs to future times; either to the gathering of the captives, or to the war of Gog and Magog; to which also R. Obadiah refers it, and Jarchi interprets it of time to come; according to the Targum it was written by the sons of Korah, when their father was hid from them, and they were delivered.

{s} twmle le upev twn krufiwn, Sept. "pro arcanis," V. L.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible