Be Still And Know Series

Text: Psalm 46

Theme: Be Still and see the Lord

1. TITLE OF THE PSALM

The title of the Psalms comes from the Septuagint Greek version. Jews called it Tehillim (Praises – Psalm 145). Psalms have classified as Hymnals, prayers, wisdom teaching, and groups of random poems about God and his relation to Israel basically and to all. It is known as the Book of the Second Temple of Zerubbabel. Though it reflects the olden historical days, also it serves as a mirror of our struggles and joys. Psalms have five divisions.

This Psalm 46 falls into the second division (42-72). It speaks of David and the Davidic kingdom. The superscriptions are Songs of Asaph, Songs of Sons of Korah, and Songs of Ascents. The title also has superscriptions in the Hebrew language as mizmor (Psalm); shiggaion; miktam; shir (song); maskil; tephillah; tehillah; lehazkir (for being remembered); letodah (for praising or for giving thanks); lelammed (for teaching); and shir yedidot (song of love or wedding song). 73 Psalms are from David (experiences of shepherd boy to King)

The trilogy Psalms of 46, 47, and 48 focuses on God’s special love for Jerusalem and his kingship over that City, and nation. These Psalms have known as Songs of Zion fall under the Second Book of Psalms. Thematically these cluster of psalms expresses confidence in the security of God's people amid the threatening world.

Normally the name is vital in our lives. The name reflects the character of a person and actions and reactions. Our name is not just a name to call but to reflect our Character for anyone to write our history. The name had significance. So, God changed Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah, Jacob to Israel, Simon to Peter, etc., His Character is as his name is known.

Likewise, the title of this Psalm 46 derives from itself. The Sons of Korah hailed from the family of Levites, and they are different from the Sons of Korah whom the earthquake swallowed during the time of Moses and Aaron. This family served during the time of King David as per 2 Chronicles 20:19. They were musicians and instrumentalists.

This psalm had played through Alamoth. Adam Clark comments that Alamoth refers to the virgins or the Choir girls. It refers to the Soprano musical voices/part. The psalm intended to make Israel aware that its success and protection stem from its loyalty to God, and also to prompt Israel to share this message with the world, so that the other nations may also benefit from the same success and protection. One theory about this psalm, it was written after the miraculous destruction of Sennacherib’s army during their attack on Yerushalayim, war ceased, and trouble ended for Israel (2 Kings 19:35 - ref: theisraelbible.com).

According to Jewish Rabbis the structure of this Psalm are as follows:

Superscription (v. 1)

First stanza: 3 verses (vv. 2-4)

Selah (v. 4)

Second stanza: 3 verses (vv. 5-7)

refrain + Selah (v. 8)

Third stanza: 3 verses (vv. 9-11)

refrain + Selah (v. 12)

(refer: jbqnew.jewishbible.org)

2. THEOLOGY OF THE PSALM

The rule of God has understood by King David. Elohim was a king present in the kingdom of David. He was the warrior and source of blessings. David sings God as an ever-present helper(v. 1-3), ever serving God(v. 4-7) and ever defending warrior (v. 8-11).

Thematically, the first stanza is about trust in Divine protection from forces of nature, the second about Divine protection of the City of God, and the third about Divine protection from enemies (refer: jbqnew.jewishbible.org). This short Psalm had mentioned four times that GOD IS WITH US in the worst times of our lives. Three purposes are expressed in this Psalm as God as Judge, God as peacemaker to cease the wars and God as the ruler of all nations (Psalm 46: 9, 10) (ref: bridgesforpeace.com)

a. GOD IS EVER-PRESENT

Hebrew word used for present, can mean to be found, to be encountered, to be discovered, detected, recognized, to prove to be, to be found sufficient, or to be enough. God does ever-present in the form of his sons and daughters. He serves and defends through his anointed kings and priests. This psalm is not an empathy statement with victims of a natural disaster like earthquake and tsunami. But somewhat a confession of faith on the continuous divine protection during calamities.

God is ever as refuge and strength. God is expressed and experienced as Yahweh, Elohim, and God of Jacob and God of all generations. Elohim is our refuge and strength, a very present help in tzoros (Jewish Bible).

The Protestant Reformer Martin Luther appropriately translated these words in his famous hymn as "A mighty fortress is our God." It could be rephrased to say that God is "our impenetrable Défense" (Nelson Study Bible). The name “El” for God was used by neighboring countries to indicate the name of their mountain gods. But David uses this term for God to denote that he was the God of mountains and God of Els or Elohim means the God above all “Els”. No Baal can come near to him.