Psalms 46:1

1 For the leader. By the descendants of Korach. On 'alamot [high-pitched musical instruments?]. A song: God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Psalms 46:1 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 46:1

God [is] our refuge and strength
That is, Christ, who is God as well as man, is the "refuge" for souls to fly unto for safety; as for sensible sinners, in a view of danger, wrath, and misery, so for saints, in every time of distress; typified by the cities of refuge, under the legal dispensation; (See Gill on Psalms 9:9); and he it is from whom they have all their spiritual strength, and every renewal and supply of it, to exercise grace, perform duties, withstand enemies, bear the cross patiently, show a fortitude of mind under the sorest distresses, and hold on and out unto the end: in short, he is the strength of their hearts, under the greatest trials, of their lives, amidst the greatest dangers; and of their salvation, notwithstanding all their enemies;

a very present help in trouble;
whether inward or outward, of soul or body; the Lord helps his people under it to bear it, and he helps them out of it in the most proper and seasonable time: they are poor helpless creatures in themselves; nor can any other help them but the Lord, who made heaven and earth; and he helps presently, speedily, and effectually: in the Hebrew text it is, "he is found an exceeding help in trouble" ^F20; in all kind of trouble that the saints come into, the Lord has been found, by experience, to be an exceeding great helper of them; moreover, he is easily and always to be come at, and found by them for their help.

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FOOTNOTES:

F20 (dam aumn) "inventum valde", Michaelis.

Psalms 46:1 In-Context

1 For the leader. By the descendants of Korach. On 'alamot [high-pitched musical instruments?]. A song: God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we are unafraid, even if the earth gives way, even if the mountains tumble into the depths of the sea,

3 even if its waters rage and foam, and mountains shake at its turbulence.

4 There is a river whose streams gladden the city of God, the holy habitation of 'Elyon

5 God is in the city. It will not be moved when daybreak comes, God will help it.