Psalms · psalm 46 of 150
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Psalm 46 is a song of the sons of Korah proclaiming that God is refuge and strength, so his people do not fear though the earth shakes and mountains fall into the sea. It speaks of a river that makes glad the city of God, of nations in uproar and of a God who makes wars cease. Its refrain declares that the Lord of hosts is with us.
The title dedicates it to the choirmaster, ascribes it to the sons of Korah, adds according to Alamoth, a musical direction of uncertain meaning, and calls it a song. It is often linked to the deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrians, although the text does not say so. It has three stanzas, each closed by the word Selah, and a refrain in verses 7 and 11.
The psalm begins by affirming: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains tremble at its swelling. The poet uses extreme images of creation's chaos to say that even that does not take away the security of the one who trusts God.
The second part changes the picture: there is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter, but he utters his voice and the earth melts. The refrain declares: the Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
The third part is an invitation: come, behold the works of the Lord, who has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, shatters the spear and burns the chariots with fire. Then God speaks: be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The psalm ends by repeating the refrain.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
God is the refuge and strength of his people, a very present help in trouble. The psalm does not promise that there will be no danger but that God is present in it.
A river makes glad the city of God, because God is in the midst of her and will help her. In contrast with the raging sea, the city has a quiet stream: the Lord's presence, which gives joy and security.
God calls his people to be still and know that he is God, exalted among the nations and in the earth. It is not an invitation to passivity but to stop frantic striving and trust that God reigns.
The refrain affirms that the Lord of hosts is with us and the God of Jacob is our fortress. God is at once mighty, as Lord of hosts, and near, as the God of Jacob.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: Their refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. — Psalm 46:1
Answer: Because God is their refuge and strength. — Psalm 46:1-2
Answer: A river whose streams make it glad, the holy habitation of the Most High. — Psalm 46:4
Answer: The earth melts, though the nations rage. — Psalm 46:6
Answer: He makes them cease to the end of the earth, breaking the bow and shattering the spear. — Psalm 46:9
Answer: To be still and know that he is God, exalted among the nations. — Psalm 46:10
Psalm 46 is a psalm for restless times. It does not deny that there are earthquakes, wars or crises, which is why it is credible to the one who suffers. In a small group you can name what seems to be shifting under our feet today and pray that each person rests in God's presence.
Verse 10 is often misunderstood as an invitation to personal tranquility. In its context it is God's voice to the nations in uproar: stop fighting and recognize who the Lord is. For us it is an invitation to stop seeking security in our own strength and to trust the God who reigns.
Psalm 46 ends with the certainty that the Lord is with us. Psalm 47 continues in the same tone and calls all peoples to clap and sing, because God is the great king over all the earth.
The Hebrew verb in verse 10 means to let go, to drop your hands, to cease striving. In the psalm's context God speaks to nations in turmoil and tells them to stop and acknowledge his sovereignty. For the believer it expresses quiet trust that God governs.
Jerusalem, the city of God, where the temple stood. It is notable that Jerusalem has no large river, so the river image seems symbolic and points to God's life-giving, joyful presence. Ezekiel 47 and Revelation 22 use a similar image.
It is a Hebrew word found in many psalms, and its exact meaning is not known. It is usually understood as a pause or a musical or liturgical mark for stopping to meditate. Here it comes at the end of each main section, in verses 3, 7 and 11.