Psalms 46:1

_GOD IS OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH, A VERY PRESENT HELP IN TROUBLE._ Psalms 46:1.-The Church's security, because God is in her, amidst the world's convulsions: as shown in the sudden overthrow of Sennacherib's invading hosts (cf. Psalms 46:8), which hitherto had swept on irresistibly. Two coincidences with history occur: in Psalms 46:4, "the city of God," just as Isaiah 36:1 informs us that all "the defensed cities of Judah" except Jerusalem, the mother city, had fallen before Sennacherib; also in Psalms 46:10, "Know that I am God ... I will be exalte

1._God is our refuge and strength _Here the Psalmist begins with a general expression or sentiment, before he comes to speak of the more particular deliverance. He begins by premising that God is sufficiently able to protect his own people, and that he gives them sufficient ground to expect it; for this the word מחסה, _machaseh, _properly signifies. In the second clause of the verse the verb _he is found, _which we translate in the present, is in the past tense, _he has been found; _and, indeed, there would be no impropriety in limiting the language to some particular deliverance which had already been experienced, just as others also have rendered it in the past tense. But as the prophet adds the term _tribulations _in the plural number, I prefer explaining it of a continued act, That God comes seasonably to our aid, and is never wanting in the time of need, as often as any afflictions...

1-5 This psalm encourages to hope and trust in God; in his power and providence, and his gracious presence with his church in the worst of times. We may apply it to spiritual enemies, and the encouragement we have that, through Christ, we shall be conquerors over them. He is a Help, a present Help, a Help found, one whom we have found to be so; a Help at hand, one that is always near; we cannot desire a better, nor shall we ever find the like in any creature. Let those be troubled at the troubling of the waters, who build their confidence on a floating foundation; but let not those be alarmed who are led to the Rock, and there find firm footing. Here is joy to the church, even in sorrowful times. The river alludes to the graces and consolations of the Holy Spirit, which flow through every part of the church, and through God's sacred ordinances, gladdening the heart of every believer. It...

PSALM XLVI _The confidence of believers in God_, 1-3. _The privileges of the Church_, 4, 5; _her enemies, and her helper_, 6, 7. _God's judgments in the earth_, 8, 9. _He will be exalted among the heathen, and throughout the earth_, 10, 11. NOTES ON PSALM XLVI The _title_ in the _Hebrew_ is, "To the chief musician for the sons of Korah; an ode upon _Alamoth_, or _concerning the virgins_:" possibly meaning a choir of _singing girls_. Some translate the word _secrets_ or _mysteries_; and explain it accordingly. _Calmet_ thinks it was composed by the descendants of Korah, on thei

GOD IS OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH - God is for us as a place to which we may flee for safety; a source of strength to us in danger. The first word, “refuge,” from a verb meaning to “flee,” and then “to flee to” - הסה _châsâh_ - or to take shelter in - denotes a place to which one would flee in time of danger - as a lofty wall; a high tower; a fort; a fortress. See the notes at Psalms 18:2. The idea here is, that the people of God, in time of danger, may find him to be what such a place of refuge would be. Compare Proverbs 18:10. The word “strength” implies that God is the source of strength to those who are weak and defenseless; or that we may rely on his strength “as if” it were our own; or that we may feel as safe in his strength as though we

EXPOSITION THIS is a psalm of consolation. Israel, in great peril (Psalms 46:1, Psalms 46:6, Psalms 46:8, Psalms 46:9), consoles herself with the thought of God's might, his protecting care, and his ability to shatter all the combinations that her enemies may form against her. There is nothing to determine absolutely what particular peril is spoken of; but, on the whole, the allusions seem to point to the invasion by Sennacherib, rather than to any other event in Hebrew history. Critics of such diverse schools as Hengstenberg and Professor Cheyne unite in this conclusion. The metrical construction is very sim

GOD [IS] OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH,.... That is, Christ, who is God as well as man, is the "refuge" for souls to fly unto for safety; as for sensible sinners, in a view of danger, wrath, and misery, so for saints, in every time of distress; typified by the cities of refuge, under the legal dispensation; Psalms 9:9; and he it is from whom they have all their spiritual strength, and every renewal and supply of it, to exercise grace, perform duties, withstand enemies, bear the cross patiently, show a fortitude of mind under the sorest distresses, and hold on and out unto the end: in short, he is the strength of their hearts, under the greatest trials, of their lives, amidst the greatest dangers; and of their salvation, notwithstanding all their enemies; A VERY PRESENT HELP IN TROUBLE; whether inward or outward, of soul or body; the Lord helps his people under it to bear it, and he h

To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, Song upon Alamoth. This Psalm is often called «Martin Luther's Psalm.» Whenever there was any great trouble, Luther used to say, «Let us sing the forty-sixth Psalm together, and then let the devil do his worst.» This is the Psalm, too, from which Mr. John Wesley preached in Hyde Park, at the time of a great earthquake. While the earth was shaking, and there was a great tempest, Mr. Wesley preached from the second verse: « Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.» Psalms 46:1. _God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble._ All creatures have their places of refuge. « As for the stork, the fir trees are her house. The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies.» All men also have their places of refuge,

ALAMOTH Alamoth, "soprano," from almah, a virgin. Some have thought the alamoth, "virgins," were a temple choir, singing antiphonally to the sheminith, or male choir. (_ See Scofield) - (Psalms 6:1). _ But contr, see (1 Chronicles 15:20)....

Psalms 46 The Deliverance and What Follows _ 1. God is our Refuge and Strength (Psalms 46:1)_ 2. His coming in power and glory (Psalms 46:4) 3. What follows His manifestation (Psalms 46:8). This is “a song upon Alamoth,” which means “maidens' voices” and calls to remembrance the song which Miriam and the women sang when the Lord redeemed His people by power at the Red Sea. The remnant delivered relates prophetically the experience of deliverance. They trusted in God as their refuge and strength, though the earth was moved and the mountains carried into the sea. Then He appeared and helped His people “at the dawn