Psalms 46:3

_THOUGH THE WATERS THEREOF ROAR AND BE TROUBLED, THOUGH THE MOUNTAINS SHAKE WITH THE SWELLING THEREOF. SELAH._ (Though) the waters thereof roar, and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. What a beautiful contrast there is between the roaring waters here and the still "river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God!" (Psalms 46:4.) Overwhelming waters represent invading hosts (Isaiah 8:7; Isaiah 17:12). The "sea" (Psalms 46:2) is the world, never still, "like a troubled sea when it cannot rest," through selfishness, pride, and ambition ...

3_Though the waters thereof roar, _etc This verse ought to be read in connection with the verse which follows, because it is necessary to complete the sense, as if it had been said: Though the waters of the sea roar and swell, and by their fierce impetuosity shake the very mountains — even in the midst of these dreadful tumults, the holy city of God will continue to enjoy comfort and peace, satisfied with her small streams. The relative pronoun _her, _according to the common usage of the Hebrew language, is superfluous in this place. The prophet intended simply to say, that the small streams of a river would afford to the holy city abundant cause of rejoicing, though the whole world should be moved and destroyed. I have already mentioned shortly before how profitable is the doctrine taught us in this place, that our faith is really and truly tested only when we are brought into very seve...

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...

Verse Psalms 46:3. _THOUGH THE WATERS THEREOF ROAR_] _Waters_, in prophetic language, signify people; and, generally, people in a state of political commotion, here signified by the term _roar_. And by these strong agitations of the people, the _mountains _- the secular rulers, _shake with the swelling thereof _- tremble, for fear that these popular tumults should terminate in the subversion of the state. This very people had seen all Asia in a state of war. The Persians had overturned Asia Minor, and destroyed the Babylonian empire: they had seen Babylon itself sacked and entered by the Persians; and Cyrus, its conqueror, had behaved to them as a father and deliverer. While their oppressors were destroyed, themselves were preserved, and permitted to return to their own land....

THOUGH THE WATERS THEREOF ROAR AND BE TROUBLED - The waters of the sea. The idea is, that they would not be afraid though everything should be in commotion, and be as unsettled as the restless waves of the ocean. The earth might be changed, the mountains removed, the agitated sea roar and dash against the shore, but their minds would be calm. The word rendered “be troubled” means to boil; to ferment; to foam; and here it refers to the ocean as agitated and lashed into foam. Nothing is more sublime and fearful than the ocean in a storm; nothing furnishes a better illustration of the peace produced by confidence in God amid the agitations which occur in the world, than the mind of a seaman that is calm when the ocean is heaved in wild commotion. THOUGH THE MOUNTAINS SHAKE WITH THE SWELLING THEREOF - The rolling ocean breaking against; the sides of the mountains on its shore, and seeming to...

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

[THOUGH] THE WATERS THEREOF ROAR [AND] BE TROUBLED,.... The noise of which causes men's hearts to fail them for fear, Luke 21:25; [THOUGH] THE MOUNTAINS SHAKE WITH THE SWELLING THEREOF. All these figurative expressions denote the hurlyburlies, confusions, and disorders that have been or will be in the world; amidst all which the people of God have no reason to fear; for it is always well with the righteous, let it go how it will with others. The passage may be applied to the destruction of Jerusalem, and the wars preceding it, and the dispersion of the Jews upon it; when true believers in Christ found him to be their refuge, strength, and help in that time of trouble, such as never was the like, and were safe and without fear; and Aben Ezra, a Jewish commentator, thinks it is right to interpret this psalm concerning the wars of Jerusalem: moreover, these words ma

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,

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

XLVI. GOD THE REFUGE OF HIS PEOPLE. The poem is divided into three parts by the word Selah, which also marks its close. It was further divided by the refrain which occurs after Psalms 46:6 and Psalms 46:10 and, no doubt, originally stood after Psalms 46:3 also. The Ps. looks back to the deliverance from Sennacherib. _Cf._ Psalms 46:5, God shall help her at the dawn of the morning, with Isaiah 37:36: Early in the morning they (_i.e._ Sennacherib's troops) were all dead men. But it may be much later than the time to which it alludes. The confused st