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Psalm 46

God’s Defense of His City and People

To the leader. Of the Korahites. According to Alamoth. A Song.

1

God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

2

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,

though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;

3

though its waters roar and foam,

though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah

 

4

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

the holy habitation of the Most High.

5

God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;

God will help it when the morning dawns.

6

The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter;

he utters his voice, the earth melts.

7

The L ord of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

 

8

Come, behold the works of the L ord;

see what desolations he has brought on the earth.

9

He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;

he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear;

he burns the shields with fire.

10

“Be still, and know that I am God!

I am exalted among the nations,

I am exalted in the earth.”

11

The L ord of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah


6 The peoples raged Since the Church of God is never without enemies, and these very powerful, and such as consequently fight against her with cruel and unbridled fury, the prophet now confirms from experience the doctrine which he had advanced concerning the impregnable character of the divine protection. He then deduces from it this general ground of consolation, That it belongs continually to God to restrain and quell all commotions, and that his arm is strong enough to break all the efforts of the enemy. This passage, I admit, might be understood in a more general sense, as meaning that the city of God is liable to be assailed by many storms and tempests; but that by the favor of God she is, nevertheless, always preserved in safety. It is, however, more probable, as I have already said at the beginning, that the Psalmist is here speaking of some notable deliverance, in which God had given a striking proof of the power and favor which he exercises in the constant preservation of the Church. Accordingly, he relates what had taken place, namely, that the enemies of the Church came with a dreadful host to waste and destroy it; but that immediately, by the voice of God, they, as it were, melted and vanished away. From this we derive an invaluable ground of consolation, when it is said, That although the whole world rise up against us, and confound all things by their increased madness, they can be brought to nought in a moment, as soon as God shows himself favorable towards us. The voice of God, no doubt, signifies his will or command; but the prophet, by this expression, seems to have an eye to the promises of God, by which he has declared, that he will be the guardian and defender of the Church. At the same time, let us observe the contrast which is here stated between the voice of God and the turbulent commotions of the kingdoms of this world.


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