Psalms 46

Psalms 46:1-11

“ Our Refuge and Strength” Psalms 46:1-11 The historical origin of this psalm cannot be certainly determined. Probably it was composed when Jerusalem was beleaguered by Sennacherib’ s hosts, 2 Kings 18:1-37. It befits every era in which the Church is in danger from her foes, and foretells the final destruction of Antichrist. It was Luther’ s favorite psalm, and is rendered into verse in his memorable hymn, Ein’ Feste Burg. During the sitting of the Diet of Augsburg he sang it every day to his lute, standing at the window and looking up to heaven. The theme of the psalm is the security of God’ s people, and this is elaborated in three stanzas, each of which ends with Selah.Alone among great cities, Jerusalem lacked a river; but God was willing to become all that a river could be and more.

Your deficiencies give more room for God’ s all-sufficiency. Mark the beautiful alternative translation of Psa 46:5, r.v., margin, “ at the dawn of morning.” Your sorrow is limited to a single night. See also Isaiah 37:36; Matthew 14:25. Be still, O troubled heart! The God of the nations is your Father! Desolations are the snapping off of the dead branches to prepare for the spring.

Be Still The historical occasion of this Psalm cannot be certainly determined. But it is very probable that it was composed when Jerusalem was beleaguered by Sennacherib’s hosts (Isaiah 37:1-38). It fits every era in which the Church is in danger from her foes. It foretell the final destruction of Antichrist. It was Luther’s favorite and is rendered into verse in his memorable hymn, Ein feste Burg. During the sitting of the Diet of Augsburg, he sang it every day to his lute, at the window, looking up to heaven. The security of God’s people amid storms is elaborated in three divisions, each concluding with Selah.

Psalms 46:1-3. God our Refuge These words may have inspired Hezekiah’s address to the captains (2 Chronicles 32:7). We never know how near God can be till we are in trouble. Mountains stand for the most stable things on which we have been wont to fix our confidence.

Psalms 46:4-7. There is a river In opposition to the raging of the sea is the even flow of the pellucid river. Alone among great cities Jerusalem lacked a river. But God Himself was all to her that a river was to ordinary cities (Isaiah 33:21). The “river” throughout Scripture, from Eden to the New Jerusalem, is a symbol of the presence of God. The margin (Psalms 46:5) gives a beautiful alternative reading: “When the morning appeareth.” Distress, in the case of God’s people, is limited to a night’s stay. But probably there is an allusion to Isaiah 37:36. God is never before his time and never a moment too late (Matthew 14:25). If Jehovah is willing to be known as Jacob’s God, I too may claim Him.

Psalms 46:8-11. He maketh wars to cease War in the Church and the world is doomed, and shall become an extinct art before the Gospel of the love of God. We must cultivate the habit of stillness in our lives, if we would detect and know God.