Psalm 46

Few Psalms are as meaningful to believers in times of trouble as this one.  From beginning (God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble) to end (Be still, and know that I am God) these words have sustained countless saints to be faithful in affliction.  May the familiarity of the words not cause us to overlook the joy of knowing that the LORD of hosts is with us.

This Song is focused on who or what God IS for the saint, as that is the key to the believer’s help.  Each of the first two stanzas remind us that “God is” and then call to remembrance what this means to the afflicted one.  

In v1-3 God is our refuge and strength, very present help in trouble; therefore we will not fear.  We will not fear even if the most unimaginable events occur.  Refuge and strength are properly linked together to tell us that God is all that we need in affliction.  Like the soldier with shield and spear, God is for us both the perfect protection and the enabling energy for believers.  

For God to be our refuge means we must be living within the boundaries of the fort so to speak.  We must not be following the lusts of the flesh that always seek what might seem to be the easy way out of trouble.  His every word must light our path.  Otherwise we find ourselves outside His protection.

The idea of being a “very present” help tells us that his help is abundant.  In every small twist or turn of the road He is at our side to meet the need precisely and powerfully.  The word help is nonspecific, meaning that the omniscient God will diagnose our situation perfectly and will have the perfect prescription.

In v4-7 God is in the midst of her; therefore she shall not be moved.  The interpretation of the Song is of course intended for God’s earthly people Israel.  The city of God (Jerusalem) is not only the capitol; it is the place where God made His dwelling on earth, in the temple, over the mercy seat.

For the believer today the truth of God’s presence, in the age of the indwelling Spirit of God, the fact of God’s presence is even more powerful.  The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of God’s promise to the saint that they shall not be moved.  As Jesus promised in John 7:37-39 the Spirit is the abundant river that springs forth to make glad His troubled child.

Having noted the significance of God’s presence it behooves us to remember how the people of Israel abused this promise.  You will remember (1 Sam. 5-6) how on one occasion they took the Ark of the Covenant into battle, assuming that God would give them victory because of it.  The Philistines even thought so.  But Israel was defeated because they did not honor God and did not live in obedience to Him.  Even so the believer today must remember that to be indwelt by the Holy Spirit is not the same as being filled or controlled by the Spirit.  When Jesus promised to be with us (Matt. 28:20) it was in the context of our fulfillment of His commission to make disciples.  It is as foolish for us as for Israel to walk in sin and yet boast of having God with us.  

Notice the promise that God would help Jerusalem just at the break of dawn (v5).  It is a reminder that God’s promised help is certain and His timing precise.  In fact this is the plan for Jerusalem’s future.  In the coming day of the LORD Israel’s deliverance will coincide with the return of the Daystar, the Messiah.  Let us not become weary in well-doing for in due season we shall reap if we faint not (1 Cor. 15:57).

The second and third stanzas conclude with the summarizing description of God that He is with us and our refuge.  But again the key to this is who God is.  He is the LORD of hosts, a reminder that He has all the armies of heaven at His disposal.  His arm is never too short.  As the God of Jacob we are reminded of how He delivered Jacob from Laban, from Esau, and from the famine.  God promised to be with Jacob on his entire pilgrimage (Gen. 28:13-15).  Even when his own sons meant to do evil against Joseph God was working for good to deliver the family from the famine.  This is God who is for the saint!

The final stanza appropriately calls God’s people to focus on Him.  Come behold the works of the LORD (v8).  Be still and know that I am God (v10).  The believer does not need to know how it will all work out; he simply needs to know God who will work it out.  

There are two encouragements to faith.  First the believer can reflect on God’s deliverances in the past.  It is not that he will figure out what God is going to do now; it is just to remember that God has always delivered those who trust in Him.  Second the believer knows that God will always be exalted.  He has made a promise; He will not fail to keep His word.  To do so would be to give the wicked reason to be exalted and God will not share His glory with another.

There is great encouragement in this Psalm.  What a relief to know that God’s help is not based on the just desserts of the child.  Rather it is based on the character of God Himself.  Hear the word of God: Be still and know that I AM GOD!