Psalms 46:8

_COME, BEHOLD THE WORKS OF THE LORD, WHAT DESOLATIONS HE HATH MADE IN THE EARTH._ Come, behold the works of the Lord - invitation to all, without distinction, to see the proof of the Lord's might in the overthrow of the great world-powers. WHAT DESOLATIONS HE HATH MADE IN THE EARTH - what a desolating overthrow He hath done of those who held the world under their tyranny, and especially threatened to destroy the people of God. Compare, in the prophetical anticipation of the downfall of Assyria, "the whole earth is at rest, and is quiet" (Isaiah 14:7)....

8_Come ye, consider the works of Jehovah _The Psalmist seems still to continue in this verse the history of a deliverance by which God had given abundant evidence that he is the most efficient and faithful protector of his Church, that the godly might derive from it both courage and strength to enable them to overcome whatever temptations might afterwards arise. The manifestations which God has given of his favor towards us in preserving us, ought to be kept continually before our eyes as a means of establishing in our hearts a persuasion of the stability of his promises. By this exhortation we have tacitly rebuked the indifference and stupidity of those who do not make so great account of the power of God as they ought to do; or rather, the whole world is charged with ingratitude, because there is scarcely one in a hundred who acknowledges that he has abundant help and security in God,...

6-11 Come and see the effects of desolating judgments, and stand in awe of God. This shows the perfect security of the church, and is an assurance of lasting peace. Let us pray for the speedy approach of these glorious days, and in silent submission let us worship and trust in our almighty Sovereign. Let all believers triumph in this, that the Lord of hosts, the God of Jacob, has been, is, and will be with us; and will be our Refuge. Mark this, take the comfort, and say, If God be for us, who can be against us? With this, through life and in death, let us answer every fear...

Verse Psalms 46:8. _COME, BEHOLD THE WORKS OF THE LORD_] See empires destroyed and regenerated; and in such a way as to show that a supernatural agency has been at work. By the hand of God alone could these great changes be effected....

COME, BEHOLD THE WORKS OF THE LORD - Go forth and see what the Lord has done. See, in what his hand has accomplished, how secure we are if we put our trust in him. WHAT DESOLATIONS HE HATH MADE IN THE EARTH - Or, in the land. The word “desolations” might refer to any “ruin” or “overthrow,” which he had brought upon the land of Israel, or on the nations abroad - the destruction of cities, towns, or armies, as proof of his power, and of his ability to save those who put their trust in him. But if this be supposed to refer to the invasion of the land of Israel by Sennacherib, it may point to what occurred to his armies when the angel of the Lord went forth and smote them in their camp Isaiah 37:36, and to the consequent deliverance of Jerusalem from danger. Without impropriety, perhaps, this may be regarded as all appeal

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

COME, BEHOLD THE WORKS OF THE LORD,.... Of nature and grace, especially those of Providence; both in a way of judgment, as in this verse; and of mercy, as in Psalms 46:9. These words are an address of the psalmist to his friends, as Apollinarius supplies it; or of the church to the fearful among them, who were dismayed at the commotions and disturbances that were in the world, Psalms 46:2; and who are encouraged to trust in the Lord, from the consideration of his works, particularly his providential dispensations; WHAT DESOLATIONS HE HATH MADE IN THE EARTH; in the land of Judea, at the time of the destruction of the city and temple of Jerusalem, foretold by Moses, Deuteronomy 32:22; by Daniel,...

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