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New Living Translation

Psalms 46:4

A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Church;   Gentiles;   Gospel;   Jerusalem;   Joy;   River;   Salvation;   Thompson Chain Reference - Jerusalem;   Rivers;   The Topic Concordance - Fear;   God;   Help;   Refuge;   Strength;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Cities;   Emblems of the Holy Spirit, the;   Jerusalem;   Rivers;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - City;   Psalms, the Book of;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Christians, Names of;   Temple;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Heart;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Tent;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Habitation;   Peleg;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Alamoth;   English Versions;   Greek Versions of Ot;   Korah, Korahites;   Psalms;   River;   Sin;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - River ;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - River;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - City;   River;   Water;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - God;   Korah;   Psalms the book of;   Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types - River;   Stream;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Bible, the;   Hezekiah (2);   Music;   Psalms, Book of;   Stream;   Targum;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - God;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for May 18;  

Parallel Translations

English Revised Version
There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.
Update Bible Version
There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God, the holy of the tabernacles of the Most High.
New Century Version
There is a river that brings joy to the city of God, the holy place where God Most High lives.
New English Translation
The river's channels bring joy to the city of God, the special, holy dwelling place of the sovereign One.
Webster's Bible Translation
[There is] a river, the streams of which shall make glad the city of God, the holy [place] of the tabernacles of the Most High.
World English Bible
There is a river, the streams of which make the city of God glad, The holy place of the tents of the Most High.
Amplified Bible
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
English Standard Version
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
The feersnesse of flood makith glad the citee of God; the hiyeste God hath halewid his tabernacle.
Berean Standard Bible
There is a river whose streams delight the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.
Contemporary English Version
A river and its streams bring joy to the city, which is the sacred home of God Most High.
American Standard Version
There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.
Bible in Basic English
There is a river whose streams make glad the resting-place of God, the holy place of the tents of the Most High.
Complete Jewish Bible
even if its waters rage and foam, and mountains shake at its turbulence. (Selah)
Darby Translation
There is a river the streams whereof make glad the city of God, the sanctuary of the habitations of the Most High.
Easy-to-Read Version
There is a river whose streams bring happiness to God's city, to the holy city of God Most High.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Though the waters thereof roar and foam, though the mountains shake at the swelling thereof. Selah
King James Version (1611)
There is a riuer, the streames wherof shall make glad the citie of God: the holy place of the Tabernacles of the most High.
New Life Bible
There is a river whose waters make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High lives.
New Revised Standard
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Yet there is a Riuer, whose streames shall make glad the citie of God: euen the Sanctuarie of the Tabernacles of the most High.
George Lamsa Translation
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of our God, The holy place of the most High.
Good News Translation
There is a river that brings joy to the city of God, to the sacred house of the Most High.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
A river! whose channels, shall gladden the city of God, The Most High, hath hallowed his habitation.
Douay-Rheims Bible
(45-5) The stream of the river maketh the city of God joyful: the most High hath sanctified his own tabernacle.
Revised Standard Version
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
[Yet] the fludde by his ryuers shall make glad the citie of God: the holy place of the tabernacles of the most hyghest.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
The flowings of the river gladden the city of God: the Most High has sanctified his tabernacle.
Christian Standard Bible®
There is a river—its streams delight the city of God,the holy dwelling place of the Most High.
Hebrew Names Version
There is a river, the streams of which make the city of God glad, The holy place of the tents of Ha`Elyon.
King James Version
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
Lexham English Bible
There is a river whose streams gladden the city of God, the holiest of the dwellings of the Most High.
Literal Translation
There is a river, its channels gladden the city of God, the holy tabernacles of the Most High.
Young's Literal Translation
A river -- its rivulets rejoice the city of God, Thy holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Sela. For there is a floude, which wt his ryuers reioyseth ye cite of God, the holy dwellynge of the most hyest.
THE MESSAGE
River fountains splash joy, cooling God's city, this sacred haunt of the Most High. God lives here, the streets are safe, God at your service from crack of dawn. Godless nations rant and rave, kings and kingdoms threaten, but Earth does anything he says.
New American Standard Bible
There is a river whose streams make the city of God happy, The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
New King James Version
There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
Legacy Standard Bible
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,The holy dwelling places of the Most High.

Contextual Overview

1

For the choir director: A song of the descendants of Korah, to be sung by soprano voices.

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. 2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. 3 Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Interlude 4 A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High. 5 God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

a river: Psalms 23:2, Psalms 36:8, Psalms 36:9, Isaiah 8:6, Isaiah 8:7, Isaiah 48:18, Ezekiel 47:1-12, Revelation 22:1-3

city: Psalms 48:1, Psalms 48:8, Psalms 87:3, 2 Chronicles 6:6, Isaiah 37:35, Isaiah 37:36, Isaiah 60:14, Hebrews 12:22, Revelation 21:2, Revelation 21:3, Revelation 21:10

holy: Deuteronomy 12:11, Deuteronomy 12:12

most: Psalms 91:1, Psalms 92:1, Psalms 92:8, Ecclesiastes 5:8, Micah 6:6

Reciprocal: Genesis 2:10 - a river Exodus 17:6 - that the people Psalms 65:9 - the river Psalms 87:7 - all my Song of Solomon 4:15 - a well Isaiah 1:21 - the faithful Isaiah 33:21 - a place Isaiah 35:6 - for Isaiah 41:18 - General Isaiah 43:2 - I will be Joel 3:18 - and a John 4:10 - living Acts 7:48 - the most High

Cross-References

Genesis 28:15
What's more, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. One day I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you."
Genesis 46:1
So Jacob set out for Egypt with all his possessions. And when he came to Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father, Isaac.
Genesis 46:2
During the night God spoke to him in a vision. "Jacob! Jacob!" he called. "Here I am," Jacob replied.
Genesis 46:14
The sons of Zebulun were Sered, Elon, and Jahleel.
Genesis 46:16
The sons of Gad were Zephon, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi, and Areli.
Genesis 46:24
The sons of Naphtali were Jahzeel, Guni, Jezer, and Shillem.
Genesis 46:25
These were the sons of Bilhah, the servant given to Rachel by her father, Laban. The number of Jacob's descendants through Bilhah was seven.
Genesis 48:21
Then Jacob said to Joseph, "Look, I am about to die, but God will be with you and will take you back to Canaan, the land of your ancestors.
Genesis 50:1
Joseph threw himself on his father and wept over him and kissed him.
Genesis 50:5
Tell him that my father made me swear an oath. He said to me, ‘Listen, I am about to die. Take my body back to the land of Canaan, and bury me in the tomb I prepared for myself.' So please allow me to go and bury my father. After his burial, I will return without delay."

Gill's Notes on the Bible

[There] is a river,.... The allusion is either to the river Kidron, which ran by Jerusalem; or to the waters of Shiloah, which by different courses and branches, ran through the city of Jerusalem, and supplied the several parts of it with water, to the joy and comfort of its inhabitants: but the words are to be understood in a figurative sense, as applicable to Gospel times; and this river either designs the Gospel, the streams of which are its doctrines, which are living waters that went out from Jerusalem, and which publish glad tidings of great joy to all sensible sinners; or the Spirit and his graces, which are compared to a well, and rivers of living water, in the exercise of which the saints have much joy and peace; or else the Lord himself, who is a place of broad rivers and streams to his people, and is both their refreshment and protection; or rather his everlasting love to them is here intended; see Psalms 36:8; The head of this river is the heart of God, his sovereign goodwill and pleasure; the channel through which it runs is Christ Jesus; the rise of it was in eternity, when, like a river that runs underground, it flowed secretly, as it does before the effectual calling; when it breaks up, and appears in large streams, and flows, and so it proceeds running on to all eternity. It is a river that is unfathomable, and cannot be passed over; it has heights and depths, and lengths and breadths, which cannot be fully comprehended: as for the quality of it, it is a pure river, clear as crystal; free of all dissimulation in the heart of God, and clear of all motives and conditions in the creature. Its water is living water; which quickens dead sinners, revives drooping saints, secures from the second death, and gives eternal life; it makes all fruitful about it, or that are planted by it;

the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God; the "streams" of this river are eternal election; the covenant of grace its blessings and promises; the provision and mission of Christ as a Saviour, and redemption by him; justification, pardon, adoption, regeneration, perseverance in grace, and eternal life; called "streams", because they flow from the fountain of divine love; and because of the rapidity, force, and power of the grace of God, in the application of them in conversion, which carries all before it; and because of the abundance, continuance, and freeness of them, and the gratefulness and acceptableness of them to those who see the worth of them, and their interest in them; see Song of Solomon 4:15; and these, when made known and applied, "make glad" the hearts of God's people under a sense of sin and guilt, under divine desertions, the temptations of Satan, and the various afflictions they meet with; for these are intended by "the city of God", as the church is often called, because of his building, and where he dwells, and where the saints are fellow citizens. And the same are signified by

the holy [place]; being an holy temple to God, consisting of holy persons, such who are sanctified by the Spirit of God, and live holy lives and conversations: and

of the tabernacles of the most High; being the dwelling places of God, Father, Son, and Spirit. All which is a reason why the saints should not fear in the worst of times.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

There is a river - There is no allusion here to any particular stream or river, but the image is designed to represent a state of peace and calm security in contrast with the rough and troubled ocean. While the ocean rages, and foams, and dashes against the mountains as if it would overturn them, the state of Jerusalem, the city of God, was well represented by a calm and gently-flowing river; a river of full banks, diffusing joy and fertility and beauty wherever it flowed. This image, to represent happiness, abundance, peace, joy, is one that is often employed in the Scriptures. Compare Isaiah 32:2; Isaiah 33:21; Isaiah 41:18; Psalms 1:3; Revelation 22:1; Psalms 36:8. The “idea” here is simply that Jerusalem would be calm and serene amidst all the external agitations in the world - calm as a gently-flowing stream. The streams - the canals - the water-courses of such a river flowing around each dwelling and along each garden, would diffuse happiness and beauty everywhere.

The streams whereof - The allusion here is undoubtedly to the canals, watercourses, or rivulets that were led off from the main stream for the purpose of supplying fountains and watering gardens. Thus the city of Damascus is watered by streams or canals cut from the river Barrady, that flows down from the regions of Anti-Libanus. The greenness - the beauty - the fertility - of Damascus is owing wholly to the waters of the river thus conducted to every house and garden in the city. Compare introduction to Isaiah 17:1-14. So here, the flowing river of divine mercy and goodness is conveyed, as in smaller canals or streams, to each home and heart, producing peace, calmness, joy - while the world around is full of commotion and trouble.

Shall make glad the city of God - Jerusalem, considered as the place where God was worshipped, and where he was supposed especially to dwell: Psalms 48:1.

The holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High - Of the “tent” where the Most High is supposed to abide. The word is applicable to any habitation or dwelling-place; but in the Scriptures it is applied especially to the sacred tent erected by Moses in the wilderness, and ultimately removed to Mount Zion by David, as the divine abode on earth. It is sometimes, also, applied to the temple; and if this psalm was written, as I have supposed, in the time of Hezekiah, it would be applicable to that. Compare Psalms 84:2; Psalms 132:5. The tabernacle and the temple were alike divided into two parts - the holy and the most holy place - and hence the “plural” term is sometimes applied to them. Compare the notes at Hebrews 9:2-3.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Psalms 46:4. There is a river, the streams whereof — The Chaldee understands the river, and its streams or divisions, as pointing out various peoples who should be converted to the faith, and thus make glad the city of God, Jerusalem, by their flowing together to the worship of the true God.

But the river may refer to the vast Medo-Persian army and its divisions: those branches which took Babylon; and, instead of ruining and destroying the poor Jews, preserved them alive, and gave them their liberty; and thus the city of God, and the tabernacle of the Most High, were gladdened.


 
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