Bible Commentaries
Psalms 46

Verses 1-11

Psalms 46

Christian Warrior’s Song

This Is a Christian warrior’s refuge Psalm. ft sets forth God’s power, presence, and peace, even in times of storms, turmoil, and battles of life. Men run to and fro crying peace, peace, yet none seems to find it, except it be in the Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Thessalonians 5:3; Isaiah 9:6; Luke 2:14; John 14:27; John 16:33; Romans 5:1.

Scripture v. 1-11:

Verse 1 affirms that God (elohim) is our refuge, our hiding place, or secure retreat, and our source of strength, as expressed Psalms 62:7; Psalms 8; Psalms 91:2; Psalms 142:5. It is added that he exists as a very present help in trouble, when trouble comes, as it does to all, Deuteronomy 4:7; Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalms 145:18; Colossians 3:3. This David had found by experience.

Verse 2 concludes "therefore we will not fear tho the earth be removed," for God owns and controls it. He adds, "tho the mountains be carried off into the midst of the sea," for He owns the sea too, See? Nor will the governments of the earth confound His power, purposes or will, Isaiah 10:12-14; Psalms 102:26.

Verse 3 adds that David and Israel, with God as their refuge, will not be fearful, tho the waters of the sea (masses of humanity) should rise up and roar against them in a state of agitated trouble; and tho the mountains of large governments should shake with a swelling tide of opposition to all Israel, they should not fear, with God as their eternal, ever present refuge, 1 Corinthians 10:31; Philippians 4:19; Hebrews 13:5.

Verse 4 declares that "there is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God," Psalms 23:2; Isaiah 8:7; Revelation 22:1. Paradise began, and shall once again have in it, such a stream, Genesis 2:10; Revelation 22:1. Jesus is the source, fountain head of that river, so that none who seek His refuge need thirst again, Psalms 36:8; Zechariah 14:8; John 4:14. That city of God is declared also to be the holy place of the tabernacle of the most High God, the living elohim God, 2 Chronicles 6:6; Psalms 48:1; Psalms 87:3; Isaiah 60:11.

Verse 5 asserts that God is in her midst, to help her, and that right early, when the need arises, so that she shall not be moved, Deuteronomy 23:14; Isaiah 12:6; Ezekiel 43:7; Hosea 11:9; Zephaniah 3:15; Revelation 21:2-3.

Verse 6 relates that the heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved, but God uttered His voice, and the earthly powers melted, at His judgment response to their arrogance, Psalms 75:3; Amos 9:5. God’s people must not be moved by the roaring of powers against Him, Haggai 2:21-22; Psalms 68:33.

Verse 7 glories that "the Lord of hosts is with us; The covenant God of Jacob’s deliverance is our refuge, to be safely trusted, Selah", or find nourishment in this assurance, Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 8:10. Jehovah God, keeper of the covenant, is our security, v. 1.

Verses 8, 9 call for men to come near and survey the works of Jehovah, what desolation judgments He has wrought in the earth against His enemies. He continually causes wars to cease to the ends of the earth, breaks the bow, and cuts the spear of His enemy in sunder, and burns his chariot in the fire of His judgment anger, as the down fall of Assyria is at hand, Isaiah 44:4-7. The bow, the spear, and the chariot were symbols of hostile gentile powers, Psalms 76:3. The destruction of Sennacherib is a symbol of the final triumph of the Prince of Peace, Isaiah 2:4; Hosea 2:18; Zechariah 9:10.

Verse 10 Is a Divine call for men to "Be still and know (comprehend) that I am God," the Elohim God of the covenant. In essence, He calls upon heathen powers to cease and desist from opposing His omnipotence, affirming that He will be, "exalted among the heathen," 2 Chronicles 32:23.

Verse 11 concludes, in triumphant praise, "the Lord of hosts (heaven’s array of angelic powers) exists with us," and added that "the covenant God of Jacob is our refuge, our security, retreat; Selah," meaning "meditate on this," as also affirmed v. 1, 7. Thus the Psalm closes in triumph, as it began.