Psalm 46 is a liturgical psalm for public praise and worship. It is widely recognized as “A Songs of Zion.” The introduction of the Psalm in the New English Translation says , “For the music director by the Korahites; according to the alamoth style.” in Hebrew it means “young women,” therefore most theologians believe that the psalm meant to be sung by women. It was addressed to the chief musician and the Korahites (the sons of Korah), who were descendants of Kohath, the son of Levi and the granddaughter of Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. This Psalm also parallel to the book of Isaiah and 2 Kings.
Although there are many suggested writers of Psalms 46. The writer of this psalm is unknown. Bob Yandian, suggests that Hezekiah a godly man wrote the Psalm just after Jerusalem was besieged by the mighty Assyrian army. Some may think that Martin Luther wrote Psalms 46, but was only inspired to write hymns such as “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”
Barnes comments: this psalm has been called Luther’s Psalm. It was that which he was accustomed to sing in trouble. Practically the friends of the Reformation were dispirited, disheartened, and sad, he was accustomed to say to his fellow-laborers, “Come let us sing the 46th Psalm,” Martin Luther himself comments; “we sing this psalm to the praise of God, because God and his church, his word, against all fanatical spirits, against the gates of hell, against the implacable hatred of the devil, and again all the assaults of the world, the flesh and sin.” Perhaps, David is the author of Psalm 46; however, David is only credit for 77 out of 150 Psalms. Therefore Psalms 46 is not ascribed to King David but to “the Son of Korah” and there are no indications in the psalm that David was the author, or as it refers to his time.
Psalm 46:1-3
There are 3 lyrical movements in this Psalm we want to observe; firstly, it is a praise of confidence in a sovereign protector verses 1-3, secondly, it is a praise of confidence in a covenant promise verses 4-7, and thirdly, it is a praise of confidence in a divine providence verses 8-11. Psalm 103:19 reads, “The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and his sovereignty rules over all. Let’s observe in verse 1, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. Now the Hebrew word for “present” is “matas” meaning to be found or to be in the possession of or to be enough or sufficient . For three thousand years Jerusalem has had a special place in the hearts and lives of those who worship the God of Israel. However, Sennacherib’s attack upon Jerusalem was catastrophic to all Jewish worshipers.
Now notice in verse 1 of this psalm, he is “present” for refuge, strength, and help. Therefore His help is sufficient in times of trouble. We also recognize the parallel in Deuteronomy 4:7, which speak of the hope and trust in God. “What other nation is so great as to have their gods near the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him.” This is important in context because God controls and rule all things; therefore he has the power over demons, nature, history, and angles.” Chip Ingram suggests, “There is absolutely nothing that happens in the universe that is outside of God’s influence and authority. As King of kings and Lord of lords, God has no limitations.” Verses 1-3 are loaded with figures of speech; we’re seeing attributes of personification which means to attribute personal or human characteristics to non-personal thing. Verse 3, inspires praise; “though the earth change, though the mountain slips into the heart of the sea, though the water roam and foam, though the mountain quake at its swelling pride.” Now notice a very interesting word “though” is mentioned 4 times in verses 1-3, “though” in the Hebrew translation is “hen” a primitive particle meaning “lo,” “behold”,” if”, or “hypothetical” as to say, what if the earth changes? Or the mountain slips into the heart of the sea? Or the water roam and foam and the mountain quake at its swelling pride? Let us notice the implication here in verse 2, “therefore we will not fear”; why because God is our refuge, our strength, our help in times of trouble. Psalm 18 verse 2 says, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress, my deliverer. My God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
Just as a great ship sails on the sea, and while traveling face grave danger. Don’t worry there is a harbor in view where the ships can cast their anchors and take shelter until the storms cease.
Psalm 4-7
The second lyrical movement speaks of the confidence for a covenant promise. In vs. 4, there is a pivot or turning point here in vs. 4, the psalmist says, “There is a river” Now the word “river, in the Hebrew translation (uwbal) which means “river” or stream. The Greek translation for “river (yaw-bal) a primitive root means to “bring forth” or to lead, or irrigation. This “river” is a perennial stream watering Zion . This means in context that God will restore Israel’s joyful hope and will provide for them abundantly. Therefore, the streams of God are filled with water to provide for God’s people.
In Revelation 22:1-2, John saw “the river of life shining like crystal and was flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb down the middle of the street of the city . The tree of life was on each side of the river. It produces fruit twelve times a year, one each month. The leaves of the tree are for the healing of all nations.” This also reminds us of Jesus and the women at the well; for physical water is sufficient for the body however, Jesus says, “If you drink of Me you will never thirst again”. Notice here the psalmist says, in vs. 4 “the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most high.” Here is a city central to the redemptive plan of God which, despite the rebellion of its people and their experience of divine judgment in the city’s destruction, will yet rebuild and again become the joy of all the earth. Notice in vs. 5, the confident promise to possess the land, the psalmist says, “God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.” This means when morning comes (her) Israel will possess the land in Jerusalem. Psalm 69:35, says, “For God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah the people will settle there and possess it.” Here is great news; all believers of Jesus Christ will be partakers of the covenant promise, we to will reign with Christ in the New Jerusalem. “God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved”
Notice here in vs. 6-7 “The nations made uproar, the kingdoms tottered; the King James translation says, “the kingdoms were moved” All kingdoms will be shaken, overthrown and toppled, look at vs. 6, when He raise His voice, the earth melted. The Lord is with us; the God of Jacob is our strong hold” In context this shows the perfect security of the church, and is an assurance of lasting peace. Let us worship and trust in our Almighty. Let all believers triumph in this, the Lord of hosts, the God of Jacob, has been, is, and will be with us; and will be our refuge. Mark this; take the comfort, and say, if God be for us, who can be against us? With this, through life and in death, let us answer every fear.
Psalm 8-11
Lastly, the third lyrical movement declares the confidence in a divine providence. Vs. 8 says, Come, behold the works of the Lord. The word “behold” captures our attention, behold in the Hebrew is (chazah) to “look, or to perceive, “prophesy, to see as a seer in ecstatic state. Come; behold the works of the Lord. Psalm 66:5 says, come and see what God has done, his awesome deed for mankind . Isaiah 61:4 says, they will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated: they will renew the ruined cites that have been devastated for generations. God is the all-powerful Creator; He preserves and governs everything in the universe. Look at vs. 9-10, he makes wars to cease to the ends of the earth; He breaks the bow and cut the spear in two; this is important in context because it directly fulfills His purpose on earth. He destroys all offensive weapons, “hurt or destroy at His holy mountain” (Isaiah 11:19). “He burns the chariots with fire.” War-chariots were largely employed by the Assyrians, and formed the main strength of the army of Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:23).
I like what the psalmist says, in vs. 10, “Cease striving” I like King James translation. “Be still I know that I’m God” Be “still” in the Hebrew is (raphah) translated miscellaneously to” relax” or to be calm. Be still and know that I am God; I’m Yahweh, be confident in my divine providence. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted on the earth. Vs. 11, the “LORD of Hosts” is used 282 times in the Bible; it means “God of Battles” the God of the armies of Israel is with us. All the earth will know that there is a God in Israel. Psalm 24:8 says who is the King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty; the LORD, mighty in battle! The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Each of the 3 lyrical movements ends with “Selah” which means pause and mediate on His word.
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