Psalm 46:3

EXPOSITION

Verse 3. Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled. When all things are excited to fury, and reveal their utmost power to disturb, faith smiles serenely. She is not afraid of noise, nor even of real force, she knows that the Lord stilleth the raging of the sea, and holdeth the waves in the hollow of his hand. Though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Alps and Andes may tremble, but faith rests on a firmer basis, and is not to be moved by swelling seas. Evil may ferment, wrath may boil, and pride may foam, but the brave heart of holy confidence trembles not. Great men who are like mountains may quake for fear in times of great calamity, but the man whose trust is in God needs never to be dismayed.

Selah. In the midst of such a hurly burly the music may well come to a pause, both to give the singers breath, and ourselves time for meditation. We are in no hurry, but can sit us down and wait while earth dissolves, and mountains rock, and oceans roar. Ours is not the headlong rashness which passes for courage, we can calmly confront the danger, and meditate upon terror, dwelling on its separate items and united forces. The pause is not an exclamation of dismay, but merely a rest in music; we do not suspend our song in alarm, but tune our harps again with deliberation amidst the tumult of the storm. It were well if all of us could say, Selah, under tempestuous trials, but alas! too often we speak in our haste, lay our trembling hands bewildered among the strings, strike the lyre with a rude crash, and mar the melody of our life song.

EXPLANATORY NOTES AND QUAINT SAYINGS

Verse 2-3. See Psalms on "Psalms 46:2" for further information.

Verse 2-3,5. See Psalms on "Psalms 46:2" for further information.

Verse 3. Selah. See "Treasury of David," Vol. I., pages 25, 29, 346, 382; and Vol. II., pages 249-252.

HINTS FOR PASTORS AND LAYPERSONS

Verse 2-3.

1. The great and many causes for fear.
2. What might come -- mountains, waters, etc., persecution, pestilence, etc.
3. What must come -- afflictions, death, judgment.
4. The great and one cause for not fearing. Fearlessness under such circumstances should be well grounded. God himself is our refuge, and we confiding in him are fearless. G. Rogers.