Psalm 46
History & Structure
Suppose for a moment that you were looking through the family history, and you found out that the earth had opened up and swallowed your great-grandfather. Quite a story, no? Looking further into it, you discover that the reason the earth swallowed up your great-grandfather was that it was a judgment from God for opposing Moses. And this story got written into the Bible, so that everyone would know what happens when you get in God’s way (Num. 16). That is the backstory of the sons of Korah.
Though Korah himself met an ignominious end, the scriptures tell us that his descendants went on to serve as gatekeepers at the tabernacle of the Lord (I Chr. 9:19). Eleven Psalms are noted as being written by the sons of Korah, evidence of their faithfulness before the Lord. Psalm 46 is marked as a Psalm of the sons of Korah, for the choir director.
God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
(Psalm 46:1 NASB)
The Psalm is divided into three sections, each one proclaiming God as a refuge and a stronghold, and each is separated by a pause, or Selah. The thoughts in the Psalm are organized into pairs, with the second phrase either restating or explaining the first. The Psalm as a whole has a chiastic structure, beginning and ending with God’s refuge, and centering on the power of His word over nature and the nations.
Theology
As the first section begins, we are reminded of God’s abundant and immediate help, even though all nature is in opposition to us. On the basis of the Lord’s strength, the psalmists proclaim that they will not fear, though the mountains fall into the sea. One considers whether the sons of Korah were thinking of their ancestor when they wrote of the earth giving way. In any event, the Lord is to be feared above whatever catastrophe nature can bring. Selah.
The second stanza brings us by the river of God’s presence to the temple of the Lord in His city. The fact of His presence is the source of her security. The physical temple looks forward to the eschatological kingdom (Rev. 22:1), where the water of life proceeds from His throne. Before that time, the surrounding nations will make war, but when God shouts, they will fall. God’s role as the stronghold for His people is restated. Selah.
The final section calls us to see the mighty works of God. These works are presented as desolations — the ruins of the nations who oppose Him. The promise is given of God’s bringing about an everlasting peace by His might, breaking the weapons and burning the chariots. All the nations are called to be still (cease striving), and to know that He alone is God, and He will be exalted above all others. The Psalm ends with the assurance of His refuge as the fortress of Israel. Selah.
Worship
How can this Psalm be used in corporate worship? Well, if you sing “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” you already know. Martin Luther used this text as the basis for his best-known hymn. He equates the warring of the nations with the activity of Satan and says “One little word shall fell Him.” Other great hymns which reference Psalm 46 include “Be Still My Soul,” and “Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken”. Because there are so many great and comforting applications to the Lord’s refuge and care, songs based on this Psalm can be used with many themes in worship; i.e. the Lord’s personal care, His sovereignty over nature, His judgment of the nations, a call to the contemplation of His nature and character.
I set a metered version of this Psalm to the tune of “Sweet Hour of Prayer,” which has become one of my church’s favorite Psalms to sing congregationally.
Lyrics:
Psalm 46 — God is Our Refuge and Our Strength
God is our refuge and our strength
Our present help in doubt and pain
Our hearts need never feel dismay
Though earth beneath our feet give way
Though mountains fall into the sea
And waters fierce and stormy be
Though mountains quake in swelling pride
The Lord our God is at our side.
There is a river flowing grand
Whose streams make glad God’s holy land
The dwelling of our God most high
E’er steadfast in His morning light
Though nations rage, though kingdoms fall
The earth shall melt before His call
The Lord of hosts with us shall dwell
Our fortress, God of Israel
Come see the wonders of the Lord
Who lays the earth low by His word
The bow, the spear, the chariot cease
As He brings everlasting peace
“Be still and know that I am God,
And all the nations shall be awed.
The Lord of hosts with us shall dwell
Our fortress, God of Israel
©2018 by David P. Regier
