Psalm 46 - Psalm of the Sons of Korah
Psalm 46 For the choir director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah, set to Alamoth. A Song.
We continue the series on the Psalms written and set to music by the Sons of Korah. All their psalms are beautiful and encouraging, and can we especially notice, almost all are uplifting and worshipful. There are three times in this psalm where the word “selah” is used, verses 3, 7, and 11. It is used 71 times in the Psalms and 3 times in Habakkuk. As to what this term means, I quote Ellicott – “There is only one conclusion, now universally admitted, that “Selah” is a musical term, but in the hopeless perplexity and darkness that surrounds the whole subject of Hebrew music, its precise intention must be left unexplained. This curious word must apparently remain forever what it has been ever since the first translation of the Bible was made ? the puzzle of ordinary readers, and the despair of scholars. One certain fact about it has been reached, and this is the very obscurity of the term. The conjecture that has the most probability on its side, makes it a direction to play loud. The derivation from sâlah, “to raise,” is in favour of this view.” Alamoth is another uncertain term but it may denote that the music of the song was to be pitched high for the treble or soprano voices of the Hebrew virgins. This weighty psalm was so important it was consigned to the choirmaster himself.
VERSES 1-3
Psalm 46 v 1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psa 46:2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; Psa. 46:3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.
Verse 1. What comfort and assurance these words have given to God’s people through the ages. They are among the most endearing in the bible. They speak of devotion and faith and commitment. You look outside one day and the mountains start falling away and parts of the coast begin falling in the sea. How do you feel? Think about that. It is the scenario given in verses 2 and 3. They parallel such passages as John 14 v 1 “Let not your heart be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in Me. John 14:2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you for I go to prepare a place for you, John 14:3 and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself that where I am, there you may be also, and another - Psalm 18 v 2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” And yet another - Psalm 94 v 22 - But the LORD has become my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge. David wrote the verses we just read for he experienced God as his strong refuge over and over again in his immense troubles. Isaiah 33 v 2 is a prayer for the protection of the Lord - O LORD, be gracious to us; we have waited for You. Be our strength every morning, our salvation also in the time of distress.
Verse 1 is a verse I can testify to, in a situation where only God could be my help, and He was. God is so good and faithful. He is always true to His word. Do you see that word "refuge," near the beginning of verse 1? It is from a verb meaning to "flee," and then "to flee to", or “to take shelter in”. It denotes a place to which one would flee in time of danger, such as a lofty wall, a high tower, a fort or a fortress. It is a place of security, and no more secure place can be found than in the fortress of God. He is present, right beside us in trouble. Don’t miss the significance of the word “present” in verse 1. It means moment by moment. Always there immediately.
Listen to this comment – “God is a present help in trouble.” Right or wrong according to the psalmist? Well it is wrong. Do not miss the little word, that very important word “very”. It means very much. Two of the synonyms are “precise” and “extremely”. God is all over it; everything known to Him and under His control. Why is it then that I am slipping; can’t find a security in my problem?
I can only say it has to come down to trust and reliance. Let your trust be stayed on the Lord. Commit the problem to Him and KNOW that He is all over it. Maybe there won’t be fireworks and great deliverance, but there is security. Be secure in the Lord. All the disciples faced trouble except John as they were condemned to death for their faith. They were in trouble. Did they despair because they paid the ultimate penalty man could hand out to them and they were not spared or delivered? No they did not. They knew the truth in the words, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” NO MATTER HOW THAT TROUBLE WILL END.
This Hebrew word translated “trouble” means adversary, adversity, affliction, anguish, distress, tribulation, trouble. Psalm 22 v 11 translates as “Do not be far from me, because distress is near and there is no one to help,” in the Holman version. All other versions use “trouble”. Trouble is a general word, but distress suggests the tearing away at the soul, something very intense. God knows all about it.
Verses 2 and 3. There are two parts to this verse. The first is that we will NOT fear, and the second is a challenging test of our settled trust. Too many Christians say they trust God, or they say they won’t fear in trouble, but when that trouble takes the form of the earth changing and heaving, and the mountains start falling into the sea, and the oceans rage and heave in furious motion, and the mountains start quaking at the pounding of the seas, then their trust just deserts them and evaporates. Now that is poetic language, but when life deals us calamitous events like the poetic description just used, and you feel engulfed, then that is the place where we can say, “I will not fear”.
Listen to the same theme also in the Psalms - Psa 118 v 5 From my distress I called upon the LORD. The LORD answered me and set me in a large place. Psa 118:6 The LORD is for me. I will not fear. What can man do to me? Psa 118:7 The LORD is for me among those who help me. Therefore I shall look with satisfaction on those who hate me. Psa 118:8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.
Who is our help in fear and trust? Work it out from this - John 14 v 26 but the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. John 14:27 Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you, not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
Now work out the secret in this one also - 1Pet 3 v 14 Even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed, and do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, 1Pet 3:15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defence to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence,
VERSES 4-7
Psalm 46 v 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy dwelling places of the Most High. Psa. 46:5 God is in the midst of her - she will not be moved. God will help her when morning dawns. Psa. 46:6 The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered. He raised His voice, the earth melted. Psa. 46:7 The LORD of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.
Verse 4. This section is a positive one and eliminates us as people who are doing our own thing, but puts all the focus on God who does good for His people. The first thought we may have is, “What is this river, and what is the city of God?” Maybe some might have their thoughts go to Revelation chapter 22, and is there any connection? It is not an easy answer but I will attempt to make some sense of this. What was it that gave rise to this Psalm? Very likely, the events in Isaiah chapters 35-37 are in mind and echo that supernatural deliverance of Israel in the time of King Hezekiah, when ‘The Assyrian, Sennacherib, came down like a wolf on the fold of Israel,’ and Sennacherib and all his army were, by the blast of the breath of His nostrils, swept into swift destruction, 175 000 of them. It was then when God was standing for His people and gave a stunning victory so that gladness flowed all through the city. It was a river of gladness that made glad the city of God.
Firstly, is verse 4 literal or is a metaphor being used when it talks about the river? The thorough commentator McLaren says of this, “The expression is occasioned by, or at all events, derives much of its significance from a geographical peculiarity of Jerusalem. Alone among the great cities and historical centres of the world, it stood upon no wide river. One little perennial stream, or rather small brook or insignificant creek of living water, was all which it had; but Siloam was mightier and more blessed for the dwellers in the rocky fortress of the Jebusites, than the Euphrates, Nile, or Tiber for the historical cities which stood upon their banks. One can see the Psalmist looking over the plain eastward, and beholding in vision, the mighty forces which came against them, symbolised and expressed by the breadth and depth and swiftness of the great river upon which Nineveh sat as a queen, and then thinking upon the little tiny thread of living water that flowed past the base of the rock upon which the temple was perched.”
The “city of God” in this psalm is Jerusalem. I don’t think there is any way this tiny brook of Siloam can be described as “a river whose steams” so there is something else in mind here.
McLaren adds more, “Guided, then, by the physical peculiarity of situation, and by the constant meaning of Scriptural symbolism, I think we must conclude that this river, ‘whose streams make glad the city of God,’ is God Himself in the outflow and self-communication of His own grace to the soul. The stream is the fountain in flow. The gift of God, which is living water, is God Himself, considered as the ever-imparting Source of all refreshment, of all strength, and of all blessedness.” God is the protection of His people and the source of all joy and gladness. Isaiah wrote of God’s protection in Isa 33 v 21 For the majestic One, our LORD, will be there, a place of rivers and broad streams where ships that are rowed will not go, and majestic vessels will not pass. (Holman). God is the River that surrounds, protects and flows with gladness for all those who will drink from that River. The Lord Jesus Christ said something a little similar - John 7 v 37 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out saying, “If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. John 7:38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water,’” John 7:39 but this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive, for the Spirit was not yet given because Jesus was not yet glorified.
Verse 5. God is in the midst of Jerusalem. This was true in King David’s time, and earlier in Hezekiah’s time. Jerusalem will not be moved as it is the city of God. That is because the power and protection and care of God surround the city like a wide river safeguarding all inside. Do you think God does no less for us? He is our broad river of care, love and protection. Grasp that thought and in trouble, realise that it is true and with God nothing changes. His love and concern for you today is no less than it was 10 years ago. Also in verse 5 it says, “God will help her when morning dawns.” That suggests to me that one on the wall of Jerusalem looks out at dawn and sees the amassing army that was not there at sunset. Ahh do not fear – God is your broad River against the enemy who can not row with oars to get you. Trust, trust, trust!
There is much in this world we do not understand. There is a spiritual battle going on against the demonic forces, and the angels are our protection. Satan is the prince and power of the air and his demons are everywhere. Why do you think there is so much delusion in the world, and why is it that governments and nations can’t balance budgets, and introduce evil laws and conditions like abortion and gender reassignment and gay marriage, though there is nothing gay about it sadly? It is because they are influenced by doctrines and devices of demons. Read Ephesians 6 to see the spiritual armour of the Christian, and take note of each item. The Christian is under the protection of God because the Holy Spirit indwells believers, and Satan can’t touch us. Yes, he may rouse up opposition, and problems in your life, and trouble, but he can’t touch you to snatch you away. You belong to God who is the wide River that surrounds you.
Verses 6 and 7. Verse 6 spells the end to any nation God will judge. His hand will touch the earth and it melts away. This will be especially so in the Tribulation which is coming. The nations and alliances can make as much noise as they like but they are given their boundaries by God, and in that sense are powerless because God is in control. Verse 7 reaffirms that God is with His people. The LORD of Hosts is “the God of armies, and of battle” so take note all you enemies! The God of Jacob is the God of power, a personal God as Jacob experienced.
Just one thing before we move on. I want to read from Revelation and this is a description of the eternal state. All has ended with man’s rule. This is sinless eternity - Revelation 22 v 1 He showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb. Rev. 22:2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month, and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. Rev. 22:3 There shall no longer be any curse, and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His bond-servants shall serve Him, Rev. 22:4 and they shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.
No more the wide river protecting the city of God and making it glad (the Jerusalem of Psalm 46) but in eternity we have the river of life protecting and making glad the nations, and it flows from the throne of God. There is no time today to discuss this further.
VERSES 8-9
Psalm 46 v 8 Come, behold the works of the LORD Who has wrought desolations in the earth. Psa. 46:9 He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth. He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two. He burns the chariots with fire.
The psalmist presents the God of victory. He is the God who is omnipotent. That can only be said and believed when we look at the works of God in the Old Testament and consider God stepping into the affairs of the nations such as Egypt, Babylon, Assyria, Greece, and the immediate nations that surrounded Israel, and all the victories of Israel when her trust was in God, like the great victory wrought by King Jehoshaphat where the sons of Korah sung of the victory – 2Chron 20. God’s greatest battle is still to come when the LORD of Hosts, the Lord Jesus Christ, will trounce all the nations who will come to destroy Jerusalem. We know that as the great Battle of Armageddon. Verse 9 confirms the power of God. He is all powerful, so why should we be afraid of man? Man can do nothing to you, outside the will of God.
VERSES 10-11
Psalm 46 v 10 “Cease striving and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psa 46:11 The LORD of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.
The psalm ends with an encouragement which is also a command. It is in verse 10. I want to reverse that verse. Look at it. The last part of verse 10 is that God will be exalted in the earth, and that is because He is a powerful God. Therefore, we are asked to “cease striving, and know that God is truly God.” That requires faith and the Holy Spirit produces that faith in us. Too many of us are striving – trying to make our own plans and fighting against opposition. God does not want that. He wants the old nature and intellect to stop, and a settled trust to replace that. Trust in the Lord. Rest in the Lord. Matthew 11 v 28 Come to Me all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest. Matt 11:29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me for I am gentle and humble in heart and you shall find rest for your souls, Matt. 11:30 for My yoke is easy and My load is light.”
Remember the LORD of Hosts is with us. No One else can be so close or so connected or so powerful. We have the greatest heritage through the Lord Jesus Christ who gave Himself for us and made it all possible.
POSSIBLE HYMNS
God moves in a mysterious way – Cowper.
O God our help in ages past - Isaac Watts,
A might fortress is our God
1. Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
“To all, life Thou givest, to both great and small
Ron Ferguson ronaldf@aapt.net au
