Psalms 46

God is our refuge and strength

od is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.a ²So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.b ³Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Interludec ⁴A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High.d

⁵God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it.e ⁶The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts! ⁷The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Interludef ⁸Come, see the glorious works of the Lord: See how he brings destruction upon the world.g

⁹He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire.h ¹⁰“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”i ¹¹The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Interludej

Commentary

Psalm 46 is a song of defiant trust in God amid chaos. The psalmist paints two scenes of upheaval: the natural world dissolving (vv. 1-3) and nations in violent uproar (vv. 4-7). In both, God is not a distant observer but a present refuge and fortress. The famous refrain, “Be sti

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Bible Dictionary· Psalms 46(11)

Bow End Fire Heaven Israel Red Sea Sea Spear Strength The Way Voice

References· Psalms 46

a: v.1 — Psalms 145:18, Psalms 9:9, Proverbs 18:10, Psalms 62:7-8, Psalms 91:1-9, Psalms 142:5, Psalms 46:11, Proverbs 14:26, Deuteronomy 4:7, Hebrews 6:18
b: v.2 — Psalms 23:4, Hebrews 13:6, Psalms 27:3, Luke 21:9-11, Matthew 21:21, Luke 21:33, Psalms 18:7, 2 Peter 3:10-14, Psalms 82:5, Luke 21:25-28
c: v.3 — Jeremiah 5:22, Psalms 93:3-4, Job 9:5-6, Micah 1:4, Judges 5:4-5, Nahum 1:5, Revelation 16:20, Psalms 114:4-7, Psalms 18:4, Matthew 7:25
d: v.4 — Revelation 22:1-3, Ezekiel 47:1-12, Psalms 36:8-9, Psalms 87:3, Psalms 48:8, Isaiah 60:14, Psalms 65:9, 2 Chronicles 6:6, Psalms 23:2, Isaiah 48:18
e: v.5 — Zechariah 2:5, Joel 2:27, Zephaniah 3:15, Zechariah 2:10-11, Ezekiel 43:7, Psalms 62:2, Isaiah 12:6, Psalms 112:6, Matthew 18:20, Psalms 30:5
f: v.7 — Psalms 9:9, Romans 8:31, Numbers 14:9, 2 Chronicles 13:12, Matthew 28:20, Isaiah 8:10, 2 Timothy 4:22, Psalms 46:11
g: v.8 — Psalms 66:5, Isaiah 24:1, Isaiah 61:4, Psalms 92:4-6, Isaiah 34:2-17, Psalms 111:2-3, Exodus 12:30, Joshua 11:20, 2 Chronicles 20:23-24, Numbers 23:23
h: v.9 — Isaiah 2:4, Micah 4:3-4, Micah 5:10, Joshua 11:9, Isaiah 60:18, Psalms 76:3-6, 1 Samuel 2:4, Isaiah 11:9, Ezekiel 39:3, Joshua 11:6
i: v.10 — Psalms 100:3, Habakkuk 2:20, Ezekiel 38:23, Zechariah 2:13, Psalms 83:18, Isaiah 2:17, Psalms 57:5, 1 Chronicles 29:11, Psalms 21:13, Isaiah 5:16
j: v.11 — Jeremiah 16:19, Deuteronomy 33:27, Psalms 46:7, Psalms 48:3, Psalms 46:1

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