Psalm 46 is packed full of vast ideas and immense concepts. It’s like the psalmist is trying to push us into thinking beyond human understanding and grasp hold of heavenly things that are almost too big for us. I think the writer does this deliberately. It’s like he wants to pull us up short, and help us see beyond our own circumstances.
From the very first line, this amazing psalm invites us to take a position of strength and victory, no matter what is happening around us – and then simply watch and see what our God does….
God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah
Psalm 46:1-3 (NKJV)
The psalmist graphically describes cataclysmic disturbances, upheavals, wars and division on earth. But these seemingly great things simply fade into absolute nothingness as the psalm progresses. (Click here for the previous post on Psalm 46:1-3.)
The city of God
Verse 4 introduces a river, a city, and a holy place where God dwells. This well-watered city is a place of joy and delight.
There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
Psalm 46:4-5 (NKJV)
While the earth is moving, tottering and shaking, by contrast the city is strong and stable. It almost seems like this city is of a whole different “space” or has a whole different atmosphere than the shifting and moving that was described in verse 2. That’s because it’s the city of God, and God is in the midst of her. Just as God is our “very present help” (verse 1), He is in the mist of His city to help her (verse 5), and she will not be moved in any way.
The Lord of Hosts
Outside the city, the nations roar and rage in turbulent unrest and commotion and earthly kingdoms totter and shake (verse 6). But as Psalm 2 says, God is the One who reigns over everything that exists. He just needs to utter one word and the whole earth will melt away!
The nations 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. Selah
Psalm 46:6-7 (NKJV)
Notice our God is called the Lord of Hosts (Jehovah Sabaoth, or the Lord of Armies, in both verses 7 and 11). This means that our God is the supreme and sovereign ruler of all armies and every force – be they heavenly angelic armies, cosmic armies, or earthly armies. In fact, He rules over the whole universe; over natural things that are seen, and over spiritual things that are unseen. Nothing is exempt from His reign.
Astonishing things
Let’s be sure that we don’t miss the awesomeness of God’s power and might. In fact, the psalmist commands us to come and see what God does – because He is simply amazing!
Come, behold the works of the Lord,
Who has made desolations in the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariot in the fire.
Psalm 46:8-9 (NKJV)
The “desolations” are actually the most astonishing things God has done. It’s like the psalmist is incredulous that suddenly the rage on the earth ceases and all implements of war are shattered. Who would have thought such a thing could happen? Yet at the same time, those on earth are absolutely horrified by this. It’s almost like the psalmist says “Come and see this! Can you believe how awesome God is?”
Suddenly God commands… Be still!
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!
Psalm 46:10 (NKJV)
Our God is complete Lord and absolute King. There is no other!
