Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary
Psalms 46:2

Clarke's Commentary

Verse Psalms 46:2. Therefore will not we fear — Let what commotions will take place in the earth, we will trust in the all-powerful arm of God. Probably the earthquake referred to, here means political commotions, such as those mentioned under the title; and by mountains, kings or secular states may be intended.

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

GOD'S ASCENDANCY OVER NATURE

"God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in trouble. Therefore will we not fear, Though the earth do change, And though the mountains be shaken into the heart of the seas; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, Though the mountains tremble with the swelling thereof. (Selah)"

Psalms 46:2-3 here are considered to be figurative, standing for all kinds of political commotion and turbulent conflict among nations. Rawlinson identified these terrible political upheavals as, "Probably those caused by the Assyrian career of conquest."The Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 8, p. 357.

However, the language here is very similar to that which is used prophetically of the Day of Judgment and the end of human probation, in a number of Biblical references. Those cosmic disturbances include earthquakes, the removal of islands and mountains out of their places, the failing of the sun's light, etc. From this, some have interpreted this heavenly refuge in God as a safe haven, even at that time. "When the elements shall melt with fervent heat, and the heavens and the earth shall pass away in that final great conflagration,"Charles Haddon Spurgeon, p. 219. at which time God will, "Wipe this Adam off the face of the earth" (Zephaniah 1:2-3).

To be sure, this is a valid understanding of these verses. Even in the cataclysmic scenes that shall mark the end of God's Dispensation of Grace, "God is the refuge and the strength of those who love him."

The primary meaning of these verses (Psalms 46:2-3) "Is figurative, standing for stress and trouble."J. R. Dummelow's Commentary, p. 348.

Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

Therefore will not we fear - Our confidence in God shall be unshaken and abiding. Having Him for our refuge and strength Psalms 46:1, we can have nothing to fear. Compare Psalms 56:3.

Though the earth be removed - literally, “in the changing of the earth;” that is, though the earth should be changed. This may either mean, Though the earth should change its place or its very structure in these convulsions; or, though it should perish altogether. Compare Psalms 102:26. The idea is, that they would not be afraid, though the convulsions then occurring in the world should be continued, and should be extended so far as to destroy the very earth itself. God would remain their friend and protector, and they would have nothing to fear.

And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea - Margin, as in Hebrew, “into the heart of the seas.” This may either be understood literally, as implying that they would “not” be afraid though the mountains, the most fixed and firm things of earth, should be uprooted and sunk in the ocean - implying that nothing earthly was stable; or, the mountains here may be referred to as emblems of that which seemed to be most settled and established on earth - the kingdoms of the world. The idea is, that in any convulsion - any change - any threatened danger - they would place confidence in God, who ruled over all, and who could not change. It will be seen at once that this entire description of trust and confidence in God is applicable to the time of Hezekiah, and to the feelings which he manifested when the land was invaded by the hosts of Sennacherib, and when wars and commotions were abroad among the kingdoms of the earth. See the introduction to the psalm. It was, also, eminently suited to console the mind in the circumstances to which Luther so often applied the psalm - the agitations, convulsions, wars, dangers in Europe, in the time of the Reformation. It is suited to any time of trouble, when commotions and revolutions are occurring in the earth, and when everything sacred, true, and valuable seems to be in danger.

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

1. God’s defense of His people 46:1-3

God’s people find safety and courage when they trust in Him. He is a shelter from danger and a source of strength for them. Consequently they need not fear even though they face many calamities. Martin Luther felt inspired to write the hymn "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" because of this psalm. The figure of the mountains sliding into the sea pictures a terrible disaster, as do those of the storm-tossed sea and the earthquake. "Utter Confusion, Unutterable Peace," is what one author titled his exposition of this psalm. [Note: Armerding, p. 86.]

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."

Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

Therefore will not we fear,...., The consideration of the Lord's being the refuge, strength, and help of his people, in all times of trouble and distress, has a great influence on their faith and confidence, and makes them intrepid and fearless in the midst of the greatest dangers: nor indeed have they any reason to be afraid of men or devils, since the Lord is on their side; nor should they indulge a slavish fear on any account whatever;

though the earth be removed; or "changed" u, as to its position or fruitfulness; or whatever changes, vicissitudes, and revolutions may be in the kingdoms, nations, and among the inhabitants of the earth, through wars and desolations made thereby;

and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; so the destruction of kingdoms, empires, and cities, is expressed by a like phrase; as of Babylon, Jeremiah 51:25; and of the Roman and Pagan empire, Revelation 6:12, and of the city of Rome, Revelation 8:8.

u בהמיר "cum mutabit", Pagninus; "etiamsi permutarit", Vatalbulus; "si commutaret", Junius Tremellius, Piscator so Ainsworth.

Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible

To the chief musician for the sons of Korah. A song upon Alamoth.

      1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.   2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;   3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.   4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.   5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

      The psalmist here teaches us by his own example.

      I. To triumph in God, and his relation to us and presence with us, especially when we have had some fresh experiences of his appearing in our behalf (Psalms 46:1; Psalms 46:1): God is our refuge and strength; we have found him so, he has engaged to be so, and he ever will be so. Are we pursued? God is our refuge to whom we may flee, and in whom we may be safe and think ourselves so; secure upon good grounds, Proverbs 18:10. Are we oppressed by troubles? Have we work to do and enemies to grapple with? God is our strength, to bear us up under our burdens, to fit us for all our services and sufferings; he will by his grace put strength into us, and on him we may stay ourselves. Are we in distress? He is a help, to do all that for us which we need, a present help, a help found (so the word is), one whom we have found to be so, a help on which we may write Probatum est--It is tried, as Christ is called a tried stone,Isaiah 28:16. Or, a help at hand, one that never is to seek for, but that is always near. Or, a help sufficient, a help accommodated to every case and exigence; whatever it is, he is a very present help; we cannot desire a better help, nor shall ever find the like in any creature.

      II. To triumph over the greatest dangers: God is our strength and our help, a God all-sufficient to us; therefore will not we fear. Those that with a holy reverence fear God need not with any amazement to be afraid of the power of hell or earth. If God be for us, who can be against us; to do us any harm? It is our duty, it is our privilege, to be thus fearless; it is an evidence of a clear conscience, of an honest heart, and of a lively faith in God and his providence and promise: "We will not fear, though the earth be removed, though all our creature-confidences fail us and sink us; nay, though that which should support us threaten to swallow us up, as the earth did Korah," for whose sons this psalm was penned, and, some think, by them; yet while we keep close to God, and have him for us, we will not fear, for we have no cause to fear;

      Observe here, 1. How threatening the danger is. We will suppose the earth to be removed, and thrown into the sea, even the mountains, the strongest and firmest parts of the earth, to lie buried in the unfathomed ocean; we will suppose the sea to roar and rage, and make a dreadful noise, and its foaming billows to insult the shore with so much violence as even to shake the mountains,Psalms 46:3; Psalms 46:3. Though kingdoms and states be in confusion, embroiled in wars, tossed with tumults, and their governments incontinual revolution--though their powers combine against the church and people of God, aim at no less than their ruin, and go very near to gain their point--yet will not we fear, knowing that all these troubles will end well for the church. See Psalms 93:4. If the earth be removed, those have reason to fear who have laid up their treasures on earth, and set their hearts upon it; but not those who have laid up for themselves treasures in heaven, and who expect to be most happy when the earth and all the works that are therein shall be burnt up. Let those be troubled at the troubling of the waters who build their confidence on such a floating foundation, but not those who are led to the rock that is higher than they, and find firm footing upon that rock. 2. How well-grounded the defiance of this danger is, considering how well guarded the church is, and that interest which we are concerned for. It is not any private particular concern of our own that we are in pain about; no, it is the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High; it is the ark of God for which our hearts tremble. But, when we consider what God has provided for the comfort and safety of his church, we shall see reason to have our hearts fixed, and set above the fear of evil tidings. Here is, (1.) Joy to the church, even in the most melancholy and sorrowful times (Psalms 46:4; Psalms 46:4): There is a river the streams whereof shall make it glad, even then when the waters of the sea roar and threaten it. It alludes to the waters of Siloam, which went softly by Jerusalem (Isaiah 8:6; Isaiah 8:7): though of no great depth or breadth, yet the waters of it were made serviceable to the defence of Jerusalem in Hezekiah's time, Isaiah 22:10; Isaiah 22:11. But this must be understood spiritually; the covenant of grace is the river, the promises of which are the streams; or the Spirit of grace is the river (John 7:38; John 7:39), the comforts of which are the streams, that make glad the city of our God. God's word and ordinances are rivers and streams with which God makes his saints glad in cloudy and dark days. God himself is to his church a place of broad rivers and streams,Isaiah 33:21. The streams that make glad the city of God are not rapid, but gentle, like those of Siloam. Note, The spiritual comforts which are conveyed to the saints by soft and silent whispers, and which come not with observation, are sufficient to counterbalance the most loud and noisy threatenings of an angry and malicious world. (2.) Establishment to the church. Though heaven and earth are shaken, yet God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved,Psalms 46:5; Psalms 46:5. God has assured his church of his special presence with her and concern for her; his honour is embarked in her, he has set up his tabernacle in her and has undertaken the protection of it, and therefore she shall not be moved, that is, [1.] Not destroyed, not removed, as the earth may be Psalms 46:2; Psalms 46:2. The church shall survive the world, and be in bliss when that is in ruins. It is built upon a rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. [2.] Not disturbed, not much moved, with fears of the issue. If God be for us, if God be with us, we need not be moved at the most violent attempts made against us. (3.) Deliverance to the church, though her dangers be very great: God shall help her; and who then can hurt her? He shall help her under her troubles, that she shall not sink; nay, that the more she is afflicted the more she shall multiply. God shall help her out of her troubles, and that right early--when the morning appears; that is, very speedily, for he is a present help (Psalms 46:1; Psalms 46:1), and very seasonably, when things are brought to the last extremity and when the relief will be most welcome. This may be applied by particular believers to themselves; if God be in our hearts, in the midst of us, by his word dwelling richly in us, we shall be established, we shall be helped; let us therefore trust and not be afraid; all is well, and will end well.