Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary
Psalms 46:10

Clarke's Commentary

Verse Psalms 46:10. Be still, and know that I am God — הרפו harpu, Cease from your provocations of the Divine justice; cease from murmuring against the dispensations of his providence; cease from your labour for a season, that ye may deeply reflect on the severity and goodness of God-severity to those who are brought down and destroyed; goodness to you who are raised up and exalted:-cease from sin and rebellion against your God; let that disgrace you no more, that we may no more be brought into distress and desolation.

Know that I am God — Understand that I am the Fountain of power, wisdom, justice, goodness, and truth.

I will be exalted among the heathen — By the dispensation of punishments, the heathen shall know me to be the God of justice; by the publication of my Gospel among them, they shall know me to be the God of goodness.

I will be exalted in the earth. — I will have my salvation proclaimed in every nation, among every people, and in every tongue.

Bridgeway Bible Commentary

Psalm 46-48 When God saved Jerusalem

Confident in tone and bold in expression, these three psalms express praise to God for delivering Jerusalem from an enemy invasion. One example of such a deliverance was on the occasion of Assyria’s invasion of Judah during the reign of Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:9-37).

No matter what troubles he meets, whether from earthquakes, floods or wars, the person who trusts in God is not overcome by them (46:1-3). He has an inner calmness, likened to a cool refreshing stream that flows gently from God. The Almighty is still in full control, and he gives strength to his people (4-7). God’s power can smash all opposition. Therefore, opponents should stop fighting against him and realize that he is the supreme God, the supreme ruler of the world (8-11).
The psalmist calls upon people of all nations to worship God with reverence and joy. The king who rules over all has come down from heaven, fought for his people and given them victory (47:1-4). Now he is seen returning to heaven to the sound of his people’s praises (5-7). He takes his seat on his throne again, king of the world. All nations are, like Israel, under the rule of the God of Abraham (8-9).
Now that their beloved city Jerusalem has been saved, the people praise its beauty and strength. More than that, they praise the God who saved it (48:1-3). Enemies thought they could destroy Jerusalem, but God scattered them. They were broken in pieces as ships smashed in a storm (4-7). Israel’s people had heard of God’s marvellous acts in the past; now they have seen them with their own eyes (8). In thanks for the victory, the people flock to the temple to praise God. Throughout the towns of Judah, and even in other countries, there is rejoicing (9-11). The citizens of Jerusalem are proud of their city, but they are prouder still of their God who has preserved it (12-14).

Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible

"Come, behold the works of Jehovah, What desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; He breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; He burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Jehovah of hosts is with me, The God of Jacob is our refuge. (Selah)"

"Come, behold the works of Jehovah" This, in context, was an invitation to the citizens of Jerusalem to behold the devastation of the army of Sennacherib, which the angel of God slaughtered in one night to the extent of 185,000 men. Cleaning up a mess like that required bonfires that lasted a long time, the war chariots, spears, arrows, shields and other military equipment providing fuel for the disposition of the dead.

Lord Byron's great poem catches the terrible magnificence of this Divine interposition upon behalf of God's people. There is an economy in God's wonders; he never intervenes unless it is absolutely necessary for the achievement of his eternal purpose. In this case, Jerusalem was surely doomed to destruction without Divine aid; therefore God came to the rescue.

"The Assyrian came down like the wolf on the fold, And their cohorts were gleaming in purple and gold.
The sheen on their spears was like stars on the sea,
When the blue waves roll nightly on deep Galilee.
Like the leaves of the forest when summer is green,
That host with their banners at sunset was seen,
Like the leaves of the forest when autumn hath blown,
That host on the morrow lay scattered and strewn.
For the angel of death spread his wings on the blast,
And breathed in the face of the foe as he passed;
And the might of the Gentile unsmote by the sword
Was melted like snow in the glance of the Lord."
- Lord Byron, The Destruction of Sennacherib

This incredibly impressive destruction of Sennacherib's army was a judgment of God so powerful, so effective, and so dramatic, that everyone on earth knew about it. Here was tangible, physical evidence of the most astounding kind that witnessed God's oversight of Israel. This mighty miracle was not done in some secluded corner of the world, but at the crossroads of all nations and of all history. This was one of the most amazing things that ever happened on this earth.

"What desolations he hath made" When this psalm was written, the smoke was probably still rising from the funeral of Sennacherib's destroyed host. All Jerusalem could see it, either from the walls of their city, or by a short journey to the battlefield where the army had been deployed (perhaps near Lachish). "If this does not prove that the Lord controls the destinies of wars, what does? If this is not a sufficient token that `God is our refuge,' what is?"H. C. Leupold, p. 367.

"He maketh wars to cease to the end of the earth" Of course, the first meaning here is that God has the power to terminate any war at any time; but there seems to be here a prophecy of a time when wars shall be no more. It appears that we may not look for the fulfilment of this in the present dispensation, because Jesus cautions us about expecting "wars and rumors of wars." Nevertheless, we believe there will come a time when God in righteous wrath shall rise up and cast evil out of his universe; and then wars shall cease.

"He burneth the chariots in the fire" The word here rendered chariots actually means any two-wheeled contraption and would also include baggage wagons and other military devices as well as chariots. All such things were needed as fuel to help burn up the dead.

"Be still, and know that I am God" Dahood interpreted this to mean that Israel, "Should not enter into alliances with other nations."Mitchell Dahood in The Anchor Bible, p. 282. Many times it is God's will for his people to work with all their might; but, now and then, when all human endeavor is of no avail, and where there seems to be no hope at all, it may be time to "Stand still!" Thus it was before the Red Sea, when Moses commanded Israel, "Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord" (Exodus 14:23).

For comment on Psalms 46:11, see under Psalms 46:7, above.

Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

Be still - The word used here - from רפה râphâh - means properly to cast down; to let fall; to let hang down; then, to be relaxed, slackened, especially the hands: It is also employed in the sense of not making an effort; not putting forth exertion; and then would express the idea of leaving matters with God, or of being without anxiety about the issue. Compare Exodus 14:13, “Stand still, and see the salvation of God.” In this place the word seems to be used as meaning that there was to be no anxiety; that there was to be a calm, confiding, trustful state of mind in view of the displays of the divine presence and power. The mind was to be calm, in view of the fact that God had interposed, and had shown that he was able to defend his people when surrounded by dangers. If this the divine interposition when Jerusalem was threatened by the armies of the Assyrians under Sennacherib, the force and beauty of the expression will be most clearly seen.

And know that I am God - See, in what I have done, the evidence that I am God. See a work accomplished which none “but” God could effect. Compare Isaiah 37:36.

I will be exalted among the heathen - That is, among the nations. The nations abroad that do not worship me, but worship idols, shall see in these deeds full proof that I am the true God, and that I am worthy of universal adoration. Compare the notes at Daniel 3:28-29; notes at Daniel 4:1-3, notes at Daniel 4:37. See also Exodus 9:16; Romans 9:17.

I will be exalted in the earth - In the lands abroad; all over the world. The defeat and destruction of the armies of Sennacherib were eminently suited to make a deep impression on the world that the God of the Hebrew people was the true God.

Calvin's Commentary on the Bible

10Be still, and know that I am God The Psalmist seems now to turn his discourse to the enemies of the people of God, who indulge their lust of mischief and revenge upon them: for in doing injury to the saints they do not consider that they are making war against God. Imagining that they have only to do with men, they presumptuously assail them, and therefore the prophet here represses their insolence; and that his address may have the more weight, he introduces God himself as speaking to them. In the first place, he bids them be still, that they may know that he is God; for we see that when men are carried away without consideration, they go beyond all bounds and measure. Accordingly, the prophet justly requires the enemies of the Church to be still and hold their peace, so that when their anger is appeased they may perceive that they are fighting against God. We have in the fourth Psalm, at the fourth verse, a sentiment somewhat similar, “Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still.” In short, the Psalmist exhorts the world to subdue and restrain their turbulent affections, and to yield to the God of Israel the glory which he deserves; and he warns them, that if they proceed to act like madmen, his power is not enclosed within the narrow limits of Judea, and that it will be no difficult matter for him to stretch forth his arm afar to the Gentiles and heathen nations, that he may glorify himself in every land. In conclusion, he repeats what he had already said, that God has more than enough, both of weapons and of strength, to preserve and defend his Church which he has adopted.

Smith's Bible Commentary

Psalms 46:1-11

Psalms 46:1-11 :

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea ( Psalms 46:1-2 );

Because God is my refuge and strength, I will not fear any kind of calamity that may befall me, or catastrophe.

Now a few years ago people were predicting that California was going to drop off into the Pacific Ocean, and people had visions of great tidal waves rolling down through into San Joaquin Valley, and this whole thing being inundated in a tremendous flood. And actually, there were many people who moved from California as a result of these prophecies and some of these visions and dreams. Some of those that moved, it was good riddance. California has enough kooks already. But a lot of people were really terrified because of these prophecies and visions of the catastrophes and calamities that were going to befall California. And actually... of course, it's really weird. They had visions of this whole coastal area just dropping, you know, into the Pacific. They saw that from the San Andreas fault line, their visions, from the San Andreas fault line westward here, we were all going to just, you know, drop into the ocean. And some of them actually had gone to the area of Wrightwood and had row boats and ropes and everything else that they were gonna, you know, if you could get that far inland, then they were going to tow you up the mountain and keep you safely there in the Victorville area and all, on the other side of the fault line. And it was interesting. There were a lot of prophecies written about it and all. Back in the late sixties there was quite a bit of, quite a few of churches having doom prophecies and so forth that people were giving within it.

And so, of course, they would bring these pictures of people envisioned the destruction and catastrophe, and they would say, "What are you going to do, Chuck? Are you going to move?" I said, "No." "What are you going to do?" I said, "I am going to get my surfboard ready and when that tidal wave comes in, I am going to have a wild ride, you know." "Oh no, no. It is serious, Chuck. It's serious, you know." And I said, "Well, if you want me to get serious, I'll tell you this, God is my refuge and my strength. He is a very present help in trouble and I will not fear, though the mountains be removed and cast into the midst of the sea. So what!"

You know if God is your refuge and your strength, you don't need to fear. People can you know come around with all kinds of doomsday notions and prophecies, but it doesn't stir me. It doesn't worry me. Now, I wouldn't blame God if He did shake California off into the Pacific, at least Hollywood and San Francisco. And I think He would be justified in doing so. But my trust is in God, always. Now, I don't care where you go, you can't really escape. You can't really run from danger. Face it, living is dangerous. No matter where you are you are surrounded with danger, and you can't really hide from danger. What you can have is the security of God, no matter what calamity or catastrophe may befall. Your life can be hid in Christ, in God, and thus secure. And if an earthquake comes and this whole place is leveled and I end up under the rubble of it all, the only thing that is going to end up under the rubble is this dumb old body. Me, I'll be soaring. So, because God is my refuge and strength, I cannot fear.

Though the waters of the sea roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof ( Psalms 46:3 ).

For there is something far more permanent than this earth and its uncertainties.

There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God ( Psalms 46:4 ),

In Ezekiel, in the description of the city of God, he speaks of the river that he saw that came out from under the throne of God. In the book of Revelation we are told also about the river in the city of God. And on either side of the river there are these trees that bear twelve manner of fruit. A different fruit every month. Tell me I'm not going to enjoy heaven. The leaves of the trees are for the healings of the nations. "There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God." Now this is what those in the Old Testament were looking for. It says that these all died in faith not having received the promise, but having seen it a far off they claimed it and they said, "I am just a stranger and a pilgrim here, I am looking for a city which hath foundation, whose maker and builder is God." And we need to have a light touch with this world and realize that we are just strangers and pilgrims; we are passing through. But we are looking for a city which hath foundation, whose maker and builder is God. There is a city with a stream. The river and the streams make glad the city of God,

the holy place of [his dwelling] the dwelling of the Most High. And God is in the midst of her ( Psalms 46:4-5 );

The glorious city of God, and He is dwelling in the midst of that city. And I plan to be there. And if the mountains are removed and cast into the sea, I'll be there that much sooner. I am not going to be here much longer at the best. Should we find glorious solutions for the world problems, should we be able to solve our energy crisis, our economic crisis, our diplomatic crisis, and all of the other crisis in which we are faced with today, I am not going to be around too much longer anyhow. I might be around twenty, twenty-five years. God forbid thirty. But I am not looking for a utopia here. I am looking for the city of God, where God dwells in the midst of that city.

[that city] will never be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged ( Psalms 46:5-6 ),

This is speaking of the Tribulation period before the great establishing of Christ upon the earth.

The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge ( Psalms 46:6-7 ).

Here is an interesting sweep, "The Lord of hosts, the God of Jacob." It is sort of an all-inclusive sweep. "The Lord of hosts," the hosts actually include the angelic hosts. Now we are told in the book of Revelation in chapter 5, as the angels join in to sing the chorus of the praise unto God, the song of praise for His worthiness to take the scroll, and it says, "And a hundred million plus millions of angels joined in singing, 'Worthy is the Lamb to receive glory and honor and dominion and authority and might and power.'" So the hosts, vast hosts of heaven; the Lord of hosts, Jehovah of hosts is with us.

And then he... that can be very... the Lord of hosts can be very remote from me, and see, that's vast. That's universal. That's way out here. And that can be quite impersonal to me. But he brings the sweep down and he says, "The God of Jacob is our refuge." Now in bringing the sweep down to the God of Jacob, now it's coming down to my level. The Lord of hosts is with us, but the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Jacob was not the most honorable man who ever lived. He took advantage of his brother's hunger and weakness, and traded a pot of red porridge for the birthright. Later he disguised himself to smell and to feel like his brother to go in and deceive his aged blind father, in order that he might steal his brother's blessing. He so incurred the wrath of his brother that his brother found only one solace, and he said, "I am going to kill that rat, as soon as Dad dies." And he was just comforting himself with the thought I am going to kill him. And so Jacob, knowing that his brother was out for vengeance and blood, fled to his uncle. And there with his uncle, he began to manipulate the wealth of the family, until Jacob, actually, when he started back home, was leaving with most of his uncle's wealth. He was cunning, he was conniving, he was deceitful. And yet, God said that he was the God of Jacob.

Now, I like that lower sweep, because in that lower sweep it includes me. If He can be the God of Jacob, He can also be my God. Because, you see, I am not the most upright, wonderful, gracious person whoever lived. I've had my times, but I really don't think that I have been crooked as Jacob. So the fact that God would sweep a little lower than me gives me comfort and gives me hope. The Lord of hosts; vast, universal. The God of Jacob; down to my level.

Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the eaRuth ( Psalms 46:8 ).

Now, this is talking of the Kingdom Age, going ahead. First of all, the desolations when we come back to the earth, we are going to see the desolations on the earth that result from the Great Tribulation period. I do believe that a part of the Kingdom Age will be the rebuilding process of the earth that has been ravaged during the Great Tribulation. "Come behold the desolations that he hath made in the earth."

But he has made the wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and he cuts the spear in two; he burns the chariot in the fire ( Psalms 46:9 ).

And so the glorious Kingdom Age where they will beat their swords into plow shears and their spears into pruning hooks, and they will study war no more. The glorious thousand years of peace upon the earth as we dwell together in God's glorious kingdom. Living together in that glorious age, where righteousness covers the earth as waters cover the sea. Oh, what a glorious anticipation we have of that neat, neat time. Living on this earth, rejuvenated for the glorious kingdom of Christ.

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

Just be still. Know that God is gonna work His purposes. The day will come; He will be exalted.

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

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

Psalms 46

The psalmist magnified the Lord as His people’s secure defense. Some writers believed that King Hezekiah wrote this psalm after Yahweh’s deliverance from Sennacherib. [Note: E.g., ibid.] Wiersbe also believed Hezekiah may have written Psalms 47, 48. [Note: Ibid.] Just as Zion was secure because God dwelt there, so His people were safe because He resided among them.

"To Alamoth" in the title probably means female voices were to sing this psalm since the Hebrew word alamot means "maidens."

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

3. God’s exaltation in the earth 46:8-11

This psalm of confidence now transforms into an eschatological psalm with the following prophetic oracle.

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

The writer presented God Himself calling His people to rest their confidence in Him. Then he concluded by repeating his own expression of trust (Psalms 46:7).

The Lord’s presence indwelling His own people should inspire trust and confidence. No external calamity or hostile adversary can overthrow the place where the Lord of Armies resides. Today the Lord does not reside in a tabernacle building but in His people. [Note: See Swindoll, pp. 130-40.]

Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

Be still, and know that I [am] God,.... These words are thought by some to be spoken by the Lord to the nations of the world, to "cease from war", as the Targum renders the words; or from going up any more against Jerusalem, as Jarchi interprets them; and that they were spoken to them before the breaking of their bows, c. as Aben Ezra observes or that they are an exhortation to them to cease from their evil works, and know that the Lord is God, and has power to raise up and to make low; which, is Kimchi's sense of the words: but they are rather a continuation of the church's address to the fearful among them, as before to behold the works of the Lord, so here to hearken to what he says, as follows, "be still"; not that they should be like sticks and stones, stupid, indolent, and unconcerned at the commotions that were in the earth, and be unaffected with the judgments of God, and be wholly silent and inactive; but that they should not be fearful, nor fretful and impatient, or restless and tumultuous; but be quiet and easy, resigned to the will of God, and live in an assured expectation of the appearance of divine Providence in their layout. And "know"; own and acknowledge that he is God, a sovereign Being that does whatsoever he pleases; that he is unchangeable in his nature, purposes, promises, and covenant; that he is omnipotent, able to help them and deliver them at the last extremity; that he is omniscient, knows their persons, cases, and troubles, and how and where to hide them till the storm is over; that he is the all wise God, and does all things after the counsel of his own will, and makes all things work together for good to them; and that he is faithful to his word and promise, and will not suffer them to be overpressed and bore down with troubles. Who further says for their encouragement, and is to be hearkened to in it,

I will be exalted among the Heathen; with or in the conversion of the Gentiles; when the kingdoms of this world shall become Christ's, and all nations shall come and worship before him, Revelation 11:15. Or in the destruction of the Gentiles; the Papists, the antichristian states; which will cause great rejoicings, hallelujahs, and attributions of honour and glory to him, Revelation 16:5; so Jarchi interprets the words, "I will be exalted", בצקמתי, "in my vengeance"; that I will take upon the Heathen;

I will be exalted in the earth; now Christ is exalted in heaven at the right hand of God, before long he will be exalted in the earth, where he was despised and rejected, crucified and slain; he will be King over all the earth; his dominion will be from one end of it to the other; his tabernacle will be among men; and his people, as kings and priests, will reign with him on earth; by whom he, and he alone, will be exalted in the dignity of his person and offices, and, especially in his kingly office, Zechariah 14:9. The consideration of which may serve to remove fears and dismayings of mind under present troubles.

Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible

      6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.   7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.   8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.   9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.   10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.   11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

      These verses give glory to God both as King of nations and as King of saints.

      I. As King of nations, ruling the world by his power and providence, and overruling all the affairs of the children of men to his own glory; he does according to his will among the inhabitants of the earth, and none may say, What doest thou? 1. He checks the rage and breaks the power of the nations that oppose him and his interests in the world (Psalms 46:6; Psalms 46:6): The heathen raged at David's coming to the throne, and at the setting up of the kingdom of the Son of David; compare Psalms 2:1; Psalms 2:2. The kingdoms were moved with indignation, and rose in a tumultuous furious manner to oppose it; but God uttered his voice, spoke to them in his wrath, and they were moved in another sense, they were struck into confusion and consternation, put into disorder, and all their measures broken; the earth itself melted under them, so that they found no firm footing; their earthly hearts failed them for fear, and dissolved like snow before the sun. Such a melting of the spirits of the enemies is described, Judges 5:4; Judges 5:5; and see Luke 21:25; Luke 21:26. 2. When he pleases to draw his sword, and give it commission, he can make great havoc among the nations and lay all waste (Psalms 46:8; Psalms 46:8): Come, behold the works of the Lord; they are to be observed (Psalms 66:5), and to be sought out, Psalms 111:2. All the operations of Providence must be considered as the works of the Lord, and his attributes and purposes must be taken notice of in them. Particularly take notice of the desolations he has made in the earth, among the enemies of his church, who thought to lay the land of Israel desolate. The destruction they designed to bring upon the church has been turned upon themselves. War is a tragedy which commonly destroys the stage it is acted on; David carried the war into the enemies' country; and O what desolations did it make there! Cities were burnt, countries laid waste, and armies of men cut off and laid in heaps upon heaps. Come and see the effects of desolating judgments, and stand in awe of God; say, How terrible art thou in thy works!Psalms 66:3. Let all that oppose him see this with terror, and expect the same cup of trembling to be put into their hands; let all that fear him and trust in him see it with pleasure, and not be afraid of the most formidable powers armed against the church. Let them gird themselves, but they shall be broken to pieces. 3. When he pleases to sheathe his sword, he puts an end to the wars of the nations and crowns them with peace, Psalms 46:9; Psalms 46:9. War and peace depend on his word and will, as much as storms and calms at sea do, Psalms 107:25; Psalms 107:29. He makes wars to cease unto the end of the earth, sometimes in pity to the nations, that they may have a breathing-time, when, by long wars with each other, they have run themselves out of breadth. Both sides perhaps are weary of the war, and willing to let it fall; expedients are found out for accommodation; martial princes are removed, and peace-makers set in their room; and then the bow is broken by consent, the spear cut asunder and turned into a pruning-hook, the sword beaten into a ploughshare, and the chariots of war are burned, there being no more occasion for them; or, rather, it may be meant of what he does, at other times, in favour of his own people. He makes those wars to cease that were waged against them and designed for their ruin. He breaks the enemies' bow that was drawn against them. No weapon formed against Zion shall prosper,Isaiah 54:17. The total destruction of Gog and Magog is prophetically described by the burning of their weapons of war (Ezekiel 39:9; Ezekiel 39:10), which intimates likewise the church's perfect security and assurance of lasting peace, which made it needless to lay up those weapons of war for their own service. The bringing of a long war to a good issue is a work of the Lord, which we ought to behold with wonder and thankfulness.

      II. As King of saints, and as such we must own that great and marvellous are his works,Revelation 15:3. He does and will do great things,

      1. For his own glory (Psalms 46:10; Psalms 46:10): Be still, and know that I am God. (1.) Let his enemies be still, and threaten no more, but know it, to their terror, that he is God, one infinitely above them, and that will certainly be too hard for them; let them rage no more, for it is all in vain: he that sits in heaven, laughs at them; and, in spite of all their impotent malice against his name and honour, he will be exalted among the heathen and not merely among his own people, he will be exalted in the earth and not merely in the church. Men will set up themselves, will have their own way and do their own will; but let them know that God will be exalted, he will have his way will do his own will, will glorify his own name, and wherein they deal proudly he will be above them, and make them know that he is so. (2.) Let his own people be still; let them be calm and sedate, and tremble no more, but know, to their comfort, that the Lord is God, he is God alone, and will be exalted above the heathen; let him alone to maintain his honour, to fulfil his own counsels and to support his own interest in the world. Though we be depressed, yet let us not be dejected, for we are sure that God will be exalted, and that may satisfy us; he will work for his great name, and then no matter what becomes of our little names. When we pray, Father, glorify thy name, we ought to exercise faith upon the answer given to that prayer when Christ himself prayed it, I have both glorified it and I will glorify it yet again. Amen, Lord, so be it.

      2. For his people's safety and protection. He triumphs in the former: I will be exalted; they triumph in this, Psalms 46:7; Psalms 46:7 and again Psalms 46:11; Psalms 46:11. It is the burden of the song, "The Lord of hosts is with us; he is on our side, he takes our part, is present with us and president over us; the God of Jacob is our refuge, to whom we may flee, and in whom we may confide and be sure of safety." Let all believers triumph in this. (1.) They have the presence of a God of power, of all power: The Lord of hosts is with us. God is the Lord of hosts, for he has all the creatures which are called the hosts of heaven and earth at his beck and command, and he makes what use he pleases of them, as the instruments either of his justice or of his mercy. This sovereign Lord is with us, sides with us, acts with us, and has promised he will never leave us. Hosts may be against us, but we need not fear them if the Lord of hosts be with us. (2.) They are under the protection of a God in covenant, who not only is able to help them, but is engaged in honour and faithfulness to help them. He is the God of Jacob, not only Jacob the person, but Jacob the people; nay, and of all praying people, the spiritual seed of wrestling Jacob; and he is our refuge, by whom we are sheltered and in whom we are satisfied, who by his providence secures our welfare when without are fightings, and who by his grace quiets our minds, and establishes them, when within are fears. The Lord of hosts, the God of Jacob, has been, is, and will be with us--has been, is and will be our refuge: the original includes all; and well may Selah be added to it. Mark this, and take the comfort of it, and say, If God be for us, who can be against us?