Psalms
Chapter 46
1
1 2 For the leader. A song of the Korahites. According to alamoth.
2
God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress.
3
3 Thus we do not fear, though earth be shaken and mountains quake to the depths of the sea,
4
Though its waters rage and foam and mountains totter at its surging. 4 The LORD of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob. Selah
5
5 Streams of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High.
6
God is in its midst; it shall not be shaken; God will help it at break of day.
7
Though nations rage and kingdoms totter, God's voice thunders and the earth trembles.
8
The LORD of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob. Selah
9
Come and see the works of the LORD, who has done fearsome deeds on earth;
10
Who stops wars to the ends of the earth, breaks the bow, splinters the spear, and burns the shields with fire;
11
Who says: "Be still and confess that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth."
12
The LORD of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob. Selah
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Footnotes

1 [Psalm 46] A song of confidence in God's protection of Zion with close parallels to Psalm 48. The dominant note in Psalm 46 is sounded by the refrain, The LORD of hosts is with us (Psalm 46:4, 8, 12). The first strophe (Psalm 46:2-4) sings of the security of God's presence even in utter chaos; the second (Psalm 46:5-8), of divine protection of the city Psalm 46 from its enemies; the third (Psalm 46:9-11), of God's imposition of imperial peace.

2 [1] Alamoth: the melody of the psalm, now lost.

3 [3-4] Figurative ancient Near Eastern language to describe social and political upheavals.

4 [4] The first line of the refrain is similar in structure and meaning to Isaiah's name for the royal child, Immanuel, With us is God (Isaiah 7:14; 8:8, 10).

5 [5] Jerusalem is not situated on a river. This description derives from mythological descriptions of the divine abode and symbolizes the divine presence as the source of all life (cf Isaiah 33:21; Ezekiel 47:1-12; Joel 3:18(4:18); Zechariah 14:8; Rev 22:1-2).


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