PSALM 46
This psalm is a song declaring God’s presence with and protection of Israel, his people, in times of upheaval.
God Is Our Refuge & Strength
1-3
The psalmist declared that God is the strength and refuge of his people.
Israel knew that it was a small country compared to many others. It could not, therefore, muster the military strength of greater and larger nations.
Even when Israel was not directly at war with one of these powers, it was vulnerable because of its location. Sometimes it got caught in the crossfire as Egypt, Babylonia, Assyria and others fought each other for dominance. Because of this, Israel needed to rely on the strength of the Lord.
The psalmist declared that God was their refuge. A refuge is a safe place. For example, God set aside six cities in Israel as cities of refuge to which a person who killed someone unintentionally could flee and be protected from the revenge of the deceased’s family. (Joshua 20)
In this psalm, God is the safe place to which the Israelites could flee in times of international trouble or disaster. He is always with his people and they always need him, but they experience his presence in a special way during times of distress. He is closest to them then.
Lastly, God was “a very present help in trouble”. He is available; he can be found. And he is ready to help his people.
He is not the god of Deism, the idea that God created the universe but does not intervene in its affairs. Julie Gold wrote a song that has this same deistic idea. It is called “From A Distance”. She writes: “God is watching us, from a distance.” It goes on to talk about what man does while God is watching.
The psalmist, however, saw God as involved in the affairs of his people, giving protection and providing strength in all circumstances. The circumstances the psalmist mentions seem to be natural disasters: the earth giving way, the mountains moved into the sea, the sea roaring and foaming, causing the mountains to tremble. (2-3) These could remind us of the natural events around us that scare us, such as fires, earthquakes, floods, and volcanoes. These things scare us, especially when the media try to make it sound like the end of the world. But the psalmist said “we will not fear” because of the Lord.
It could be that these events are metaphors for upheavals among nations. Nations constantly war against each other, threaten each other, and compete economically with each other. It can cause a lot of stress if you think about it. But, trusting in God, we need not fear. For God can make them fall by speaking his word of judgment upon them.
God With us
4-7
In contrast to the raging seas, God provides a river that makes his people glad. He chose Jerusalem as the place of his presence. It was the City of God. (4) This makes us think of the Garden of Eden with its river of four branches where God’s people dwelt in the presence of God. It also makes us think of the New Jerusalem of Revelation 22, where the river of the water of life flows from the phone of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the city.
God’s presence dwelt in the midst of that city. (5) This is a reference to the temple. God cannot be moved. The mountains can be moved, but not God. Because God dwelt in the city, it could not be moved. The city had God’s help. This was always true while Israel feared God and keep the covenant.
It did not matter if the nations raged and fought, God was in control of their destinies. He could destroy them with his voice. (6)
This stanza ends with a restatement of the truth of the psalm: God is with us; he is our fortress. (7)
Look What He Has Done
8-11
One way the believer encourages him or herself is to remember the mighty things God has done, the works of God. The psalmist invited God’s people to enjoy God’s acts of deliverance. He delivered his people from Egypt and from the invasions of surrounding countries. He is the one who will ultimately destroy all of his enemies and make permanent peace.
God brought desolation upon Sodom and Gomorrah. They have never been rebuilt. He gave Israel victory over many enemies. They defeated Jericho without throwing a spear. The Assyrians were defeated, turning on themselves.
In verse 10, God speaks directly, telling his people to be still, to know he is God and will be exalted in the earth. This reflects the speech Moses gave to the Israelites when they were trapped between the Red Sea and the Egyptians. He said “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for your, and your have only to be silent.” (Exodus 14:13-14) In other words, be still and know that I am God.
The Lord then told Moses “I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD.” (Exodus 14:17-18) In other words, I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.
The conclusion is the restated refrain: God (the Lord of hosts) is with us. He is our fortress.
A German pastor wrote a song to this effect. He called it: "Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott" ("A Mighty Fortress Is Our God") as a paraphrase of this psalm. His name was Martin Luther.
So, how does this Psalm apply to the New Testament Believer, the Christian? First, God dwells with us through Christ. Jesus said “In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.” (John 14:20” The Holy Spirit dwells in every believer. Jesus said “…if I go, I will send him (the Holy Spirit) to you. (John 16:7) Paul wrote: “You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him.” (Romans 8:9)
God is still our strength, so we need not fear. Paul wrote “For God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love and self control”. (2 Timothy 1:7)
God is still our refuge. He is the only safe place. Trust him and lean on him always, and especially in times of distress.
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