# Psalm 46 đź“–: God Our Refuge and Strength
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[[-Psalm Overview]] | [[Psalm 45]] | [[Psalm 47]]
> [!info] Table of Contents
> [[#đź“ś Scripture Text (NET)]]
> [[#đź“– Verse-by-Verse Commentary]]
> [[#🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights]]
> [[#🧠Chapter Summary]]
> [[#✝️ Christ in This Chapter]]
> [[#🔎 Key Principles / 🛟 Life Application]]
> [[#đź’¬ Discussion Questions]]
> [[#✍️ Key Verses to Remember]]
> [[#đź”— Related Passages/Cross Reference]]
> [[#🙏 Devotional Reflection]]
> [[#đź“‚ Internal Notes]]
## đź“ś Scripture Text (NET)
(The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005)
## For the music director, by the Korahites; according to the _alamoth_ style; a song.
[[#Verse 01.]]Â God is our strong refuge;
he is truly our helper in times of trouble.
[[#Verse 02.]] For this reason we do not fear when the earth shakes,
and the mountains tumble into the depths of the sea,
[[#Verse 03.]] when its waves crash and foam,
and the mountains shake before the surging sea. (Selah)
[[#Verse 04.]] The river’s channels bring joy to the city of God,
the special, holy dwelling place of the Most High.
[[#Verse 05.]] God lives within it, it cannot be moved.
God rescues it at the break of dawn.
[[#Verse 06.]]Â Nations are in uproar, kingdoms are overthrown.
God gives a shout, the earth dissolves.
[[#Verse 07.]] The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is on our side.
The God of Jacob is our stronghold. (Selah)
[[#Verse 08.]] Come, Witness the exploits of the Lord,
who brings devastation to the earth.
[[#Verse 09.]]Â He brings an end to wars throughout the earth.
He shatters the bow and breaks the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
[[#Verse 10.]] He says, “Stop your striving and recognize that I am God.
I will be exalted over the nations! I will be exalted over the earth!”
[[#Verse 11.]] The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is on our side!
The God of Jacob is our stronghold! (Selah)
## đź“– Verse-by-Verse Commentary
###### Overall.
###### Verse 01.
###### Verse 02.
###### Verse 03.
###### Verse 04.
###### Verse 05.
###### Verse 06.
###### Verse 07.
###### Verse 08.
###### Verse 09.
###### Verse 10.
###### Verse 11.
## 🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights
1. Martin Luther based his hymn "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" on Psalm 46.
2. The heading says it is set "according to *alamoth*," a term that may refer to a high voice or a particular style of music (1 Chronicles 15:20).
3. It is a psalm of the sons of Korah and is often grouped with the "Songs of Zion" (Psalms 46, 48, 76, 84, 87, 122).
4. *Selah* appears three times (46:3, 7, 11), dividing the psalm into three stanzas.
5. Jerusalem had no great river, only the Gihon spring, so the river in 46:4 points beyond geography to God's life-giving presence.
6. Revelation 22:1-2 describes the river of the water of life flowing from God's throne.
7. The Hebrew word behind "be still" (46:10) means to let go, relax, or stop, and in context it is a command to the nations to stop fighting.
8. God breaks the bow, shatters the spear, and burns the chariots (46:9), ending war itself.
9. Many connect this psalm with God's deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrians in 701 BC (2 Kings 19:35), though the psalm does not name the event.
10. "The Lord of Heaven's Armies" (Hebrew *Yahweh Tsevaot*) pictures God as commander of the armies of heaven.
## 🧠Chapter Summary
> [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way.
## ✝️ Christ in This Chapter
Christ is Immanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23). The refrain "the God of Jacob is our protector" (46:7, 11) finds its fullest meaning in Jesus, who promises to be with His people always (Matthew 28:20).
## 🔎 Key Principles / 🛟 Life Application
> [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way.
## đź’¬ Discussion Questions
1. The psalmist says we will not fear even if the earth shakes and the mountains fall into the sea (46:2-3). What shakes your sense of security, and how does God's presence speak to it?
2. God says, "Stop your striving and recognize that I am God" (46:10). What does it look like for you to be still before Him?
3. The refrain repeats that the Lord is with us (46:7, 11). How does knowing God is with you change how you face trouble?
## ✍️ Key Verses to Remember
- đź“– verse 1: God is our strong refuge and a helper who is always found in times of trouble.
- đź“– verse 4: A river's streams bring joy to the city of God.
- đź“– verse 10: Stop striving and know that I am God, exalted over the nations and the earth.
## đź”— Related Passages/Cross Reference
- đź”— [[Matthew 01#Verse 23.|Matthew 1:23]] - Immanuel, God with us.
- đź”— [[Revelation 22#Verse 01.|Revelation 22:1-2]] - The river of the water of life.
- đź”— [[Isaiah 33#Verse 20.|Isaiah 33:20-21]] - The Lord as a place of broad rivers.
- đź”— [[Hebrews 13#Verse 05.|Hebrews 13:5-6]] - God will never leave us.
- đź”— [[Proverbs 18#Verse 10.|Proverbs 18:10]] - The name of the Lord is a strong tower.
## 🙏 Devotional Reflection
đź“ť SOAP: [[Psalm 46- SOAP|God Is Found In Stillness]]
## đź“‚ Internal Notes