God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Come and see what the LORD has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Psalm 46 begins with the declaration that "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1). The psalmist describes various scenarios of chaos and turmoil in the world around them, including natural disasters and warfare. Still, through it all, God remains a steady and unwavering presence.
One striking aspect of this psalm is the image of God as a fortress or stronghold, a place of safety and protection. This image conveys the idea that God is a refuge that we can run to in times of trouble, a place where we can find shelter from the storms of life. It also suggests that God is a source of strength, giving us the power to endure and overcome adversity.
The psalmist also emphasizes the importance of stillness and quietness in our relationship with God. They encourage us to "be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10), reminding us that we can find peace and calm by resting in God's presence even amid chaos and turmoil.
This psalm can be a source of comfort and encouragement in times of trouble, reminding us that we can always turn to God as our refuge and strength. It also challenges us to cultivate a deeper sense of stillness and quietness in our relationship with God, trusting in his presence and relying on his strength to carry us through even the darkest of times.
Let us be able to declare with the psalmist: Though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging, we will not fear.
God bless you.