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Book of Psalms


Psalm 46

To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.

King James Version

1 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.
8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.1

Bible Commentary
1 God is a place of trust and strength. Since He has always exceedingly proved his help, He may be depended on in dire straits. Verses 1-3 constitute the first stanza, which portrays the security of God's people even when the foundations of the earth are shaken.2
2 The convulsions of nature, the earthquake that throws the mountains into the sea, the roaring of the waves, the cataclysm of the tidal wave - these phenomena as well as any commotions and revolutions in the political world need not shake the one who trusts in God. God is a proven refuge.2
3 The mountains shake with the swelling thereof represents the pride and haughtiness of insolent foes.3 The word Selah here marks the close of the first stanza.2
4 A river is a beautiful figure of God's protection. It represents a state of calm security in sharp contrast with the wild ocean of v.3. The second stanza (vs. 4-7) depicts the peace of the city of God, while all that is outside her walls is in a state of uproar. Streams probably picturing canals leading from the river to water gardens and dwellings. God's protection is dispensed freely through innumerable channels. The streams shall give the city of God great occasion for rejoicing and thanksgiving.4 The city of God or Jerusalem was where God was represented as having His place of abode. In David's day the ark, the symbol of God's presence, was housed in a temporary dwelling or tabernacle.2

5 With God being in the midst of the city it has a firm or sure foundation. God will help and protect the city at dawn when the morning makes its appearance.2
6 The nations raged against God and His people. When God spake to them in His wrath the inhabitants of the earth were consumed.4
7 This verse is the refrain to the second stanza (see v. 11). The refrain sounds the keynote of the psalm. God is Lord of the heavenly bodies and angels. The God of Jacob is on our side. His presence is terror to our enemies, safety to us. The word Selah marks the end of the second stanza.2,3
8 The third stanza (vs. 8-11) portrays God's power manifested in His dominion over the mighty movements of nations, and the sublimity of His serene exaltation above them. God destroyed those who were vexatious to His people.4
9 God has brought about a firm and well grounded peace. The usual weapons of war as well as those using them are brought to an end.3,4
10 God himself spoke the sublime words be still and know that I am God. Here God tells the nations to stir no more against His people. He is the only true God; their gods are but dumb and impotent idols. God will make Himself glorious by His great and wonderful works.4
11 This verse is the refrain to the third stanza.2

References and notes
1. King James Authorized Version
2. SDA Bible Commentary Vol. 3 pgs 743-745
3. Jamieson, Fausset, Brown - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - http:// bible. crosswalk .com/ Commentaries
4. John Wesley's Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible - http:// bible. crosswalk .com/ Commentaries
5. John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible - http:// bible. crosswalk .com/ Commentaries
6. The Catholic Encylopedia New Advent: Psalms - www.new advent. org/ cathen/ 12533a.htm
7. Living Word Bible Church - Five Books of Psalms - http:// www.lwbc .co.uk/ 5_books _of_ psalms.htm

SONG PREVIEW

Click on image for song preview of Psalm 46. Psalm 46 was composed in 1982 and features on the CD album Sing Psalms unto Him and DVD album Sing unto the LORD.

 

A SONG UPON ALAMOTH

There is some uncertainty as to the meaning of the musical term "A Song upon Alamoth". This may denote that the music upon lyres was to be pitched high for the treble or soprano voices of the Hebrew virgins. They went forth in their dances to sing the praises of David when he smote the Philistine, it was meet that they should make merry and be glad when the victories of Jehovah became their theme. Or the word Alamoth may refer to shrill sounding instruments, as in 1Ch 15:20, where we read that Zechariah, and Eliab, and Benaiah were to praise the Lord "with psalteries on Alamoth." Regardless of its exact meaning, this old musical term is still useful because it shows that care and skill should be used in our sacred music.5



SONG STRUCTURE OF PSALM 46

The psalm is a glorious hymn on the theme that, in the midst of the upheavals of nations, God's people are safe. To express this theme the psalmist chose a form of verse unusually regular for Hebrew poetry. Three stanzas practically equal in length, with refrain and Selah appropriately placed, present pictures involving striking contrasts: roaring waters and rocking mountains, and a quiet river; nations in turmoil, and the earth melting at the voice of the Lord; the desolation of war, and God ruling quietly above the nations.2



JOHN WESLEY & PSALM 46

Comforted by verse 7 of Psalm 46 John Wesley courageously met the approach of death. He quoted it the night before his decease, and was heard repeating its promise all through the night hours.2



LUTHER SONG BASED ON PSALM 46

Psalm 46 has been designated Luther's Psalm, because the great Reformer, who was accustomed to singing it in time of trouble, paraphrased verse 1 in his hymn, A Mighty Fortress.

PSALMS - BOOK II: CHAPTERS 42-72

Book. II has 31 psalms:
Pss. 43, 66, 71 are anonymous psalms
Pss., 42-49 "of the sons of Korah"
Ps. 50 "of Asaph"
Pss. 51-70 "of the Director"
Ps. 72 "of Solomon"
Ps. 43 is part of 42;
Pss. 66 and 67 are Davidic in the Septuagint and Vulgate.
These Psalms were compiled for Tabernacle and Temple services. The divine name that is predominantly used in this book is El or Elohim (God). This is called the Exodus section, for in them we get a sense of the nation in ruin but calling out to God for deliverance. They speak of how God is able to rescue His people.6,7

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