God Is Our Strength and Refuge (Psalm 46): Notes and Discussion

This God-breathed song vividly contrasts the ever-changing tumult of the ungodly world with God’s eternal stability and invincible power. The psalmist comforts himself with God’s greatness by consistently remembering God’s nearness: God is “a very present help;” “the Lord of armies is with us;” “the Lord of armies is with us!” Because the gloriously powerful God is with us in all of our trials right now, He Himself is our refuge, strength, help, and fortress.

Verse 1. The future is metaphorically described in terms of possible natural catastrophes (earthquakes and flood). Even though the future may involve great calamity, those who know God can look at it with fearlessness. They are certain that God is with them and will be with them.

Verse 2. The calm serenity of Psalm 46:4-5 sharply contrasts with the turmoil of the first three verses. The earth is threatened by an untamed ocean, while “the city of God” is graced with a pleasant river and refreshing streams. To its original readers, “the city of God” referred to Jerusalem, the place where God’s presence tabernacled among them and where God’s chosen king was enthroned. However, because of a long history of unbelief, God’s people found Jerusalem to be nothing more than a short-lived shadow of the heavenly city of God. Today, we sing these same words with eyes fixed on the heavenly kingdom of our God which will eventually conquer all the kingdoms of this world. God will quickly end earth’s rebellion with one powerful word (46:6). This is the same God who graciously chose and saved deceitful Jacob and his ungodly children (46:7). And it is the same God who is faithful to His promises and is with His people right now throughout all of life’s turmoil (46:7).

Verses 3. Psalm46:8 calls God’s people to reflect on God’s glorious displays of power in the past. Verse 9 urges us to consider how he will display His power in the future: by ending every war and destroying every weapon. Then, verse 10, like Psalm 2:10-12, urges all of the rebel nations to submit to God in view of His soon exaltation on earth. While “Be still, and know that I am God” is often applied to believers who are going through trials, it is actually God’s command to unbelievers to acknowledge His sovereignty and repent of their rebellion before it’s too late.

Verse 4. Psalm 46 is richly connected with the New Testament. When Jesus calmed a raging sea with the words, “Peace! Be still!” (Mark 4:37-41), He was proving Himself to be “the Lord of hosts” who is sovereign over the universe. Although Jesus was “very present” with the disciples in the boat, they were not fearless, but fearful. Thus, Jesus used this as an opportunity to urge His disciples to trust Him as God by reckoning His divine power and very near presence.

The very same voice that calmed the literal angry sea during His first coming will calm the figurative angry sea at His second coming. Revelation 19 tells us that Jesus will bring an end to sinful humanity with His voice. Jesus will come on “a white horse,” will be ready to “make war,” will have “the armies of heaven…following him,” and ”from His mouth [will come] a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations” (Rev. 19:15). John again emphasizes that Jesus’ enemies “[will be] slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse” (Rev. 19:21). So Psalm 46 points us to “the Lord of Hosts,” the Lord Jesus, who will end all of earth’s warfare with His mighty voice.

But for right now, every Christian must rejoice, not only in the future anticipation of Jesus’ coming in power, but in the present reality of “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27). The mighty Lord Jesus Christ, the One who will soon lead a mighty army against His foes, personally indwells every believer right now (Rom. 8:9-10; Ps. 46:11).