Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Psalm 46:2
Psalm 46 as a psalm of trust rejoices in the deliverance that the Lord gives His people in the midst of a fearsome battle or siege. There is reason to believe that Ps. 46-48 form a trilogy that focuses on God’s special love for Jerusalem. Psalm 46 was Martin Luther’s basis for the Reformation hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” It consists of 3 parts: 1. A celebration of God as our defense even though the earth is moved. 2. A celebration of God as our defense even though the nations rage. 3. A celebration of God as our defense even when the Lord brings His judgment.
46:1 Our refuge and strength may be rephrased “our impenetrable defense.” The psalms regularly use imagery of a fortress to describe God. In the ancient Middle East, cities were built on heights with high walls for defense. Yet there was no city and no defensive structure that was impenetrable. However, the psalmist describes here the One who is a sure defense.
1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. A Song for Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
46:2, 3 earth be removed: The wording of vv. 2, 3 moves the action to a cosmic level. What if the struggle were not just an ordinary war with ordinary weapons? What if the war involved even shaking the mountains and causing the seas to roar? It makes no difference. God is a refuge for His people against everything actual or imagined.
2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah
46:5 God is in the midst of her: The people do not have an absentee deliverer, a defense that is only sometimes present. The Lord lives with His people. Consequently, His protection can be counted on.
5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
46:7 The Lord of hosts is with us: These words form a refrain. The pairing of the words “the Lord of hosts” with “the God of Jacob” is notable in both this verse and v. 11. This refrain praises the Almighty, the Commander of heaven’s armies, for choosing to live with the descendants of Jacob, His people. Who could protect His people better?
7 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
46:8-10 desolations: The picture here is of final judgement. Be still: The call for stillness before the Lord is not a preparation for worship, but for impending judgment (Hab. 2:20; Zeph. 1:7; Zech. 2:13). God will be exalted. All the earth will bow before Him.
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has made desolations in the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. 10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
11 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
⇒ We can be calm only when we know who our God is.
I want to know Christ, yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death. Philippians 3:10
God Is Our Refuge and Strength
46 1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. A Song for Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah 4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
6 The nations 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, Who has made desolations in the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. 10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
