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Psalms 46:1 American Standard (ASV)

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

Cross Reference

Psalms 62:7-8 ASV

With God is my salvation and my glory: The rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times, ye people; Pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah

Psalms 91:1-9 ASV

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of Jehovah, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in whom I trust. For he will deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, And from the deadly pestilence. He will cover thee with his pinions, And under his wings shalt thou take refuge: His truth is a shield and a buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, Nor for the arrow that flieth by day; For the pestilence that walketh in darkness, Nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, And ten thousand at thy right hand; `But' it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold, And see the reward of the wicked. For thou, O Jehovah, art my refuge! Thou hast made the Most High thy habitation;

2 Samuel 22:17-20 ASV

He sent from on high, he took me; He drew me out of many waters; He delivered me from my strong enemy, From them that hated me; for they were too mighty for me. They came upon me in the day of my calamity; But Jehovah was my stay. He brought me forth also into a large place; He delivered me, because he delighted in me.

Commentary on Psalms 46 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


PSALM 46

Ps 46:1-11. Upon Alamoth—most probably denotes the treble, or part sung by female voices, the word meaning "virgins"; and which was sung with some appropriately keyed instrument (compare 1Ch 15:19-21; see on Ps 6:1, title). The theme may be stated in Luther's well-known words, "A mighty fortress is our God." The great deliverance (2Ki 19:35; Isa 37:36) may have occasioned its composition.

1. refuge—literally, "a place of trust" (Ps 2:12).

strength—(Ps 18:2).

present help—literally, "a help He has been found exceedingly."

trouble—as in Ps 18:7.

2, 3. The most violent civil commotions are illustrated by the greatest physical commotions.

3. swelling—well represents the pride and haughtiness of insolent foes.

4. God's favor is denoted by a river (compare Ps 36:8; Zec 14:8; Re 22:1).

city of God, the holy place—His earthly residence, Jerusalem and the temple (compare Ps 2:6; 3:4; 20:2; 48:2, &c.). God's favor, like a river whose waters are conducted in channels, is distributed to all parts of His Church.

most High—denoting His supremacy (Ps 17:2).

5. right early—literally, "at the turn of morning," or change from night to day, a critical time (Ps 30:5; compare Isa 37:36).

6. (Compare Ps 46:2).

earth melted—all powers dissolved by His mere word (Ps 75:3; Ho 2:22).

7. with us—on our side; His presence is terror to our enemies, safety to us.

refuge—high place (Ps 9:9; compare also Ps 24:6, 10).

8. what desolations—literally, "who hath put desolations," destroying our enemies.

9. The usual weapons of war (Ps 7:12), as well as those using them, are brought to an end.

10. Be still, &c.—literally, "Leave off to oppose Me and vex My people. I am over all for their safety." (Compare Isa 2:11; Eph 1:22).