King James Version
Psalms 46
11 verses with commentary
God Is Our Refuge and Strength
To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. for: or, of
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.</strong> This opening declaration establishes the psalm's theme: God's absolute reliability amid chaos. The psalm likely responds to crisis—perhaps Sennacherib's siege of Jerusalem (2 Kings 19) or another national emergency.<br><br>"God" (אֱלֹהִים/<em>Elohim</em>) uses the majestic plural form emphasizing God's power and trans...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(1) **Refuge and strength.**—Better, *a refuge and stronghold, *or *a sure stronghold, *as in Luther’s hymn,
Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott.
**A very present help.**—Better, *often found a help.*
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
8. With God's presence and aid he is sure of safety (Psa 10:6; 15:5; Joh 12:27, 28; He 5:7, 8).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 46
Chapter Outline
Confidence in God.(1-5)
An exhortation to behold it.(6-11)
**Verses 1-5**
This psalm encourages to hope and trust in God; in his power and providence, and his gracious presence with his church in the worst of times. We may apply it to spiritual enemies, and the encouragement we have that, through Christ, we shall be conquerors over them. He is a Help, a...
Read full commentary →Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; midst: Heb. heart of the seas
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KJV Study Commentary
The bold declaration: 'Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.' The most stable elements of creation--earth and mountains--are imagined shaking and dissolving. Yet because God is our refuge, even cosmic upheaval cannot produce fear.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **Though the earth be removed.**—Literally, *at the changing of the earth. *Possibly with the same figure implied, which is expressed, Psalm 102:26, of the worn-out or soiled vesture. The psalmist was thinking of the sudden convulsion of earthquake, and figures Israel fearless amid the tottering kingdoms and falling dynasties. Travellers all remark on the signs of tremendous volcanic agency in...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**9. glory--**as heart (Psa 7:5), for self. In Ac 2:26, after the Septuagint, "my tongue" as "the glory of the frame"--the instrument for praising God.
**flesh--**If taken as opposed to soul (Psa 16:10), it may mean the body; otherwise, the whole person (compare Psa 63:1; 84:2).
**rest in hope--**(compare Margin).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 46
Chapter Outline
Confidence in God.(1-5)
An exhortation to behold it.(6-11)
**Verses 1-5**
This psalm encourages to hope and trust in God; in his power and providence, and his gracious presence with his church in the worst of times. We may apply it to spiritual enemies, and the encouragement we have that, through Christ, we shall be conquerors over them. He is a Help, a...
Read full commentary →Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
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KJV Study Commentary
The chaotic waters--'roar and be troubled,' mountains 'shake with the swelling thereof'--continue the imagery of cosmic upheaval. The Hebrew <em>hamah</em> (roar) suggests violent, threatening noise. 'Selah' marks a pause for reflection on this terrifying yet faith-affirming picture.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **Though the waters . . .**—The original is very expressive in its conciseness:
“They roar, they foam, its waters.”
Comp. Homer’s equally concise description, including in three words the “rush,” the “swell,” and the “roar” of ocean (*Iliad, xxiii.* 230).
**Swelling.**—Or, *pride. *(Comp. Job 38:11.) The change in construction in this verse seems to confirm the suspicion that the refrain has d...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**10. soul--**or, "self." This use of "soul" for the person is frequent (Ge 12:5; 46:26; Psa 3:2; 7:2; 11:1), even when the body may be the part chiefly affected, as in Psa 35:13; 105:18. Some cases are cited, as Le 22:4; Nu 6:6; 9:6, 10; 19:13; Hag 2:13, &c., which seem to justify assigning the meaning of body, or dead body; but it will be found that the latter sense is given by some adjunct ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 46
Chapter Outline
Confidence in God.(1-5)
An exhortation to behold it.(6-11)
**Verses 1-5**
This psalm encourages to hope and trust in God; in his power and providence, and his gracious presence with his church in the worst of times. We may apply it to spiritual enemies, and the encouragement we have that, through Christ, we shall be conquerors over them. He is a Help, a...
Read full commentary →There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
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KJV Study Commentary
Contrast to the threatening floods: 'There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God.' Jerusalem had no river--this is theological geography describing God's life-giving presence. The 'streams' (<em>peleg</em>) suggest channels of blessing flowing from divine presence, making glad the 'holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.'
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **A river . . .**—Heb., *nāhar, i.e., *a perennial stream, as distinguished from *nāchal, *a torrent bed dry except in the rainy season. Plainly, then, the “Cedron” is not here alluded to. But many commentators think “Siloam” is intended. (See Stanley, *Sinai and Palestine, *p. 180, and comp. Isaiah 12:3; Ezekiel 47:1-5; John 7:37.)
There may not, however, be any such local allusion. The river...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
11. Raised from the dead, he shall die no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
**Thou wilt show me--**guide me to attain.
**the path of life--**or, "lives"--the plural denoting variety and abundance--immortal blessedness of every sort--as "life" often denotes.
**in thy presence--**or, "before Thy faces." The frequent use of this plural form for "faces" may contain an allusion to the T...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 46
Chapter Outline
Confidence in God.(1-5)
An exhortation to behold it.(6-11)
**Verses 1-5**
This psalm encourages to hope and trust in God; in his power and providence, and his gracious presence with his church in the worst of times. We may apply it to spiritual enemies, and the encouragement we have that, through Christ, we shall be conquerors over them. He is a Help, a...
Read full commentary →God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. and: Heb. when the morning appeareth
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KJV Study Commentary
The "her" refers to the city of God, Jerusalem, portrayed as feminine in Hebrew poetry (בַּת-צִיּוֹן/bat-tzion, "daughter Zion"). "God is in the midst" (אֱלֹהִים בְּקִרְבָּהּ/Elohim be-qirbah) emphasizes divine presence at the center, not periphery. "She shall not be moved" (בַּל-תִּמּוֹט/bal-timmot) uses emphatic negation—absolutely will not totter or fall. This isn't human security but divine pr...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **Right early.**—Literally, *at the turning of the morning. *Evidently metaphorical of the dawn of a brighter day.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 46
Chapter Outline
Confidence in God.(1-5)
An exhortation to behold it.(6-11)
**Verses 1-5**
This psalm encourages to hope and trust in God; in his power and providence, and his gracious presence with his church in the worst of times. We may apply it to spiritual enemies, and the encouragement we have that, through Christ, we shall be conquerors over them. He is a Help, a...
Read full commentary →The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
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KJV Study Commentary
Nations rage (<em>hamah</em>, the same word for roaring waters in v.3), kingdoms are moved--the political world shares creation's chaos. Yet 'he uttered his voice, the earth melted.' God's mere word dissolves all opposition. The voice that creates can also unmake; the voice that judges can also save.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) The absence of conjunctions, and sudden change from the preterite to the future, lends a vividness to the picture.
“Raged heathen, tottered kingdoms
Gave with His voice (the signal) (and lo !)
Melts the earth.”
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-11**
Come and see the effects of desolating judgments, and stand in awe of God. This shows the perfect security of the church, and is an assurance of lasting peace. Let us pray for the speedy approach of these glorious days, and in silent submission let us worship and trust in our almighty Sovereign. Let all believers triumph in this, that the Lord of hosts, the God of Jacob, has be...
Read full commentary →The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. our: Heb. an high place for us
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KJV Study Commentary
The refrain: 'The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.' 'LORD of hosts' (<em>Yahweh Tzevaot</em>) emphasizes God's command of heavenly armies--infinite power. 'God of Jacob' emphasizes covenant relationship with the patriarchs--intimate faithfulness. Power and love combine in our refuge.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **Lord of hosts.**—See Note on Psalm 24:10.
**Refuge.**—Rightly in the margin with idea of height, as giving security.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
PSALM 17 Psa 17:1-15. This Psalm is termed a prayer because the language of petition is predominant. With a just cause, sincerely presented, the writer prays for a just decision and help and protection. Pleading former mercies as a ground of hope, he urges his prayer in view of the malice, pride, rapacity, and selfishness of his foes, whose character is contrasted with his pious devotion and delig...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-11**
Come and see the effects of desolating judgments, and stand in awe of God. This shows the perfect security of the church, and is an assurance of lasting peace. Let us pray for the speedy approach of these glorious days, and in silent submission let us worship and trust in our almighty Sovereign. Let all believers triumph in this, that the Lord of hosts, the God of Jacob, has be...
Read full commentary →Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
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KJV Study Commentary
The invitation: 'Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.' The 'desolations' are judgments against those opposing God. Beholding His works--historical acts of deliverance and judgment--strengthens faith. We are invited to see what God has done as evidence of what He will do.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **The Lord.**—Many MSS. read *Elohîm *instead of “Jehovah.”
**Desolations . . .**—Either, *silence of desolation, “*silence” being the primary sense of the word, or (as in Jeremiah 19:8), *wonders, *which silence by their suddenness and marvel. So LXX. and Vulg., and this is confirmed by Psalm 46:10.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3. proved ... visited ... tried--**His character was most rigidly tested, at all times, and by all methods, affliction and others (Psa 7:10).
**purposed that, &c.--**or, my mouth does not exceed my purpose; I am sincere.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-11**
Come and see the effects of desolating judgments, and stand in awe of God. This shows the perfect security of the church, and is an assurance of lasting peace. Let us pray for the speedy approach of these glorious days, and in silent submission let us worship and trust in our almighty Sovereign. Let all believers triumph in this, that the Lord of hosts, the God of Jacob, has be...
Read full commentary →He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
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KJV Study Commentary
The comprehensive peace: 'He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.' Every weapon of war is destroyed--bow, spear, chariot. This anticipates Isaiah's vision of swords beaten into plowshares and Christ's ultimate peace.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **He maketh.**—Comp. *Virg. Æn., *3:560.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4. works of men--**sinful practices.
**by the word of thy lips--**as a guide (Psa 119:9, 11, 95).
**destroyer--**violent man.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-11**
Come and see the effects of desolating judgments, and stand in awe of God. This shows the perfect security of the church, and is an assurance of lasting peace. Let us pray for the speedy approach of these glorious days, and in silent submission let us worship and trust in our almighty Sovereign. Let all believers triumph in this, that the Lord of hosts, the God of Jacob, has be...
Read full commentary →Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
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KJV Study Commentary
This divine imperative 'Be still' (Hebrew 'raphah') means to let go, release, or cease striving—a call to stop self-reliant activity and recognize God's sovereignty. The command to 'know' (yada) implies intimate, experiential knowledge, not merely intellectual assent. God's double declaration 'I will be exalted' among nations and in all the earth asserts His universal reign and ultimate victory. T...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **I** **am God.**—The introduction of the Divine Protector Himself speaking just before the refrain is a fine touch of art.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
5. May be read as an assertion "my steps or goings have held on to Thy paths."
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-11**
Come and see the effects of desolating judgments, and stand in awe of God. This shows the perfect security of the church, and is an assurance of lasting peace. Let us pray for the speedy approach of these glorious days, and in silent submission let us worship and trust in our almighty Sovereign. Let all believers triumph in this, that the Lord of hosts, the God of Jacob, has be...
Read full commentary →The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
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KJV Study Commentary
The psalm concludes by repeating the refrain: 'The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.' Repetition emphasizes centrality. After cosmic chaos (v.2-3), divine presence (v.4-5), raging nations (v.6), and promised peace (v.8-9), the fundamental truth remains: God with us, God our refuge.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**6. wilt hear me--**that is, graciously (Psa 3:4).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-11**
Come and see the effects of desolating judgments, and stand in awe of God. This shows the perfect security of the church, and is an assurance of lasting peace. Let us pray for the speedy approach of these glorious days, and in silent submission let us worship and trust in our almighty Sovereign. Let all believers triumph in this, that the Lord of hosts, the God of Jacob, has be...
Read full commentary →