God Our Refuge, Strength and Help – Psalm 46
The Setting
The Assyrian King Sennacherib with a huge army besieges Jerusalem (2 kings 18-19) – “God cannot help you” he says to taunt King Hezekiah. But God delivers Jerusalem, and the Assyrians are all slain. It is thought that Hezekiah commissioned this Psalm as a memorial. We have a God to run to, who can never be defeated.
The Power of God
God is our refuge and strength,
Psalm 46:1-3
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
A refuge – a strong refuge – a strong refuge who is always there, even when the world is upended.
The Peace of God
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.7 The Lord Almighty is with us;
Psalm 46:4-7
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
The safe city of God. Are you inside the fortress, or outside?
The Preeminence of God
Come and see what the Lord has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
10 He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.’11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
Psalm 46:8-11
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
One day He will cause all strife and wars to “rest” forever. The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
Martin Luther said “Let’s sing the 46th Psalm, and the devil may do his worst”
New International Version – UK (NIVUK)
Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
