Bible Commentaries
Psalms 46

Verses 1-11

Psalms 46:0

Introduction - A possible title of Psalms 46:0 is “God our Refuge.” It is a psalm of meditation.

Psalms 46:1 (To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.) God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalms 46:1 “To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah” Comments - Origen tells us the psalms that include the title “sons of Korah” in its opening verse (42 through 49, 84, 85, 87, 88) were written by the sons of Korah, who worked together in the unity of the Spirit to produce it. He justifies this statement by quoting Psalms 44:1, which says, “O God, we have heard with our ears.”

“But if it be necessary also from the ancient Scriptures to bring forward the three who made a symphony on earth, so that the Word was in the midst of them making them one, attend to the superscription of the Psalms, as for example to that of the forty-first, which is as follows: ‘Unto the end, unto understanding, for the sons of Korah.’ For though there were three sons of Korah whose names we find in the Book of Exodus, Aser, which is, by interpretation, ‘instruction,’ and the second Elkana, which is translated, ‘possession of God,’ and the third Abiasaph, which in the Greek tongue might be rendered, ‘congregation of the father,’ yet the prophecies were not divided but were both spoken and written by one spirit, and one voice, and one soul, which wrought with true harmony, and the three speak as one, ‘As the heart panteth after the springs of the water, so panteth my soul alter thee, O God.’ But also they say in the plural in the forty-fourth Psalm, ‘O God, we have heard with our ears.’” ( Origen’s Commentary on Matthew 14:1) [67]

[67] Origen, Origen’s Commentary on Matthew, trans. Allan Menzies, in The Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 9, ed. Allan Menzies (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, c1896, 1906), 495.

Psalms 46:1 “A Song upon Alamoth” Word Study on “alamoth” - Strong says the Hebrew word “Alamoth” ( עֲלָמֹות ) (H5961) means “young women,” or “soprano.” YLT reads, “‘For the Virgins’ A Song.”

Psalms 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” Comments - A refuge is a place of safety.

Illustration - God is with us. My brother, Steve was leaning against a door in a hallway with his arms crossed. The Lord spoke to him and said to move your left arm. So he quickly lifted it to the side, and immediately the door that his elbow had been resting against burst open and someone came scurrying out of this room into the hallway. God was there. This is the lesson that my brother learned. God is in our mist. He is a wonderful, loving companion, serving and fellowshipping with us. He is our choice in the day of trouble.

Psalms 46:2-3 Comments - Psalms 46:2-3 describes the earth as in turmoil.

Psalms 46:3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

Psalms 46:4-5 Comments - God with us and in us. The Psalms 46:4-5 changes from turmoil (Psalms 45:2-3) to a mood of peace.

Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Psalms 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God” Word Study on “Be still” The Hebrew word “be still” does not mean to be silent, but rather, “Cease and desist.” YLT reads, “Desist.” The JPS reads, “Let be.” Therefore, Psalms 46:10 is God speaking to the nations to stop their wars and fightings because He will be strong and victorious over them.

Illustration - One day, as I was flipping through some Christmas cards and reading the captions under the pictures of nature scenes: mountains, streams, running water, green grass, snow covered landscapes, I read this verse, “Be still and know that I and God” on one of the cards. We sometimes need do nothing else in our private time with God, except to be still, to think of Him, without all at our anxious chatter about our problems.

“I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth” - Comments - It is a fact that God will be exalted. It will be accomplished among heathen in the earth. Yet, God’s Word also pleads with us to begin exalting His name now, together in one accord, and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (See Colossians 3:16)

Colossians 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

Psalms 46:10 Comments - Note the contrast of the two parts of Psalms 46:10:

1. Be still, and know that I am God - Silence, stillness.

2. I will be exalted in the earth - Joy and praise and exaltation.

Praise is the result of stillness before God. This is one way you can know that He is with us. He is in our mist and all is in His hands. He is in control. Thus, Psalms 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Psalms 46:10 took the burden out of my quiet time with God. Just be still and you will know that God is. Praise the Lord! Hallelujah! Amen!!!

Psalms 46:11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.