Our Refuge and Strength : Psalm 46

Psalm 46

1. God is our refuge and strength,
          A very present help in trouble.

2. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
          And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;

3. Though its waters roar and foam,
          Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. 

4. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
          The holy dwelling places of the Most High.

5. God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved;
          God will help her when morning dawns.

6. The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered;
          He raised His voice, the earth melted.

7. The LORD of hosts is with us;
          The God of Jacob is our stronghold. 

8. Come, behold the works of the LORD,
          Who has wrought desolations in the earth.

9. He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth;
          He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
          He burns the chariots with fire.

10. “Cease striving and know that I am God;
          I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

11. The LORD of hosts is with us;
          The God of Jacob is our stronghold. 

This psalm appears to historically praise God for the great deliverance that took place in the days of King Hezekiah  (701 BC), when Sennacherib’s forces were disastrously destroyed after having threatened the city of Jerusalem, and when God’s omnipotence was proved as it was on several other occasions.

In the first three verses we see a testimony from those who place their trust in the Lord.  Only God is our refuge in the face of calamity.  The fact that the psalmist says that God is a very present help in trouble suggests His presence has been proved.  The voice is the voice of experience.

Regardless of the degree of trouble, there is no need for fear, because God is our refuge and our strength.  Nothing gives cause for fear for anyone who has total confidence in God.

The psalmist demonstrates a natural pride in the Holy City, his inference being that the city had a quietness and confidence all its own.

The fact that God’s presence with the seemingly tiny nation of Israel makes the difference between God’s people and the might of the pagan nations who defied God.

The reason that God’s people can remain unmoved in there middle of world-shaking calamity is because they are sure of His presence with them.

There are times when God requires human involvement. But there are other times when we must simply stand by and let God work.  It’s then that we begin to appreciate a God who really is our refuge and our strength.