June 7, 2017 (Wednesday)
The occasion of this psalm is the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrian army headed by Sennacherib. Divine intervention was the direct cause of Jerusalem’s safety when threatened by a powerful enemy. Luther’s hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” is based upon this Psalm. One is reminded of Stuart Hamblin’s song, “It is no secret what God can do; what He’s done for others, He’ll do for you.”
Psalm 46
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
God the Refuge of His People.
For the choir director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah, set to Alamoth. A Song.
I. GOD IS OUR GROUND OF CONFIDENCE (1-3)
1 God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.
II. GOD HAS DELIVERED JERUSALEM (4-7)
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
6 The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered;
He raised His voice, the earth melted.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.
III. WHAT HE HAS DONE HE CAN DO AGAIN (8-11)
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,
Who has wrought desolations in the earth.
9 He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariots with fire.
10 “Cease striving and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
God the Refuge of His People.
For the choir director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah, set to Alamoth. A Song.
I. GOD IS OUR GROUND OF CONFIDENCE (1-3)
1 God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.
II. GOD HAS DELIVERED JERUSALEM (4-7)
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
6 The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered;
He raised His voice, the earth melted.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.
III. WHAT HE HAS DONE HE CAN DO AGAIN (8-11)
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,
Who has wrought desolations in the earth.
9 He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariots with fire.
10 “Cease striving and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.