Psalms — Chapter 46

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1God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

2Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

3Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

4There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.

5God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

6The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

7The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

8Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.

9He 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.

10Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

11The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

1God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

2Therefore will we not fear, though the earth do change, And though the mountains be shaken into the heart of the seas;

3Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, Though the mountains tremble with the swelling thereof. Selah

4There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.

5God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God will help her, and that right early.

6The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved: He uttered his voice, the earth melted.

7Jehovah of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

8Come, behold the works of Jehovah, What desolations he hath made in the earth.

9He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; He breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; He burneth the chariots in the fire.

10Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

11Jehovah of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah Psalm 47 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.

1For the music director, by the Korahites; according to the alamoth style; a song. God is our strong refuge; he is truly our helper in times of trouble.

2For this reason we do not fear when the earth shakes, and the mountains tumble into the depths of the sea,

3when its waves crash and foam, and the mountains shake before the surging sea. (Selah)

4The river’s channels bring joy to the city of God, the special, holy dwelling place of the Most High.

5God lives within it, it cannot be moved. God rescues it at the break of dawn.

6Nations are in uproar, kingdoms are overthrown. God gives a shout, the earth dissolves.

7The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is on our side. The God of Jacob is our stronghold. (Selah)

8Come, Witness the exploits of the Lord, who brings devastation to the earth.

9He brings an end to wars throughout the earth. He shatters the bow and breaks the spear; he burns the shields with fire.

10He says, “Stop your striving and recognize that I am God. I will be exalted over the nations! I will be exalted over the earth!”

11The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is on our side! The God of Jacob is our stronghold! (Selah)

1God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

2Therefore we won’t be afraid, though the earth changes, though the mountains are shaken into the heart of the seas;

3though its waters roar and are troubled, though the mountains tremble with their swelling. Selah.

4There is a river, the streams of which make the city of God glad, the holy place of the tents of the Most High.

5God is within her. She shall not be moved. God will help her at dawn.

6The nations raged. The kingdoms were moved. He lifted his voice, and the earth melted.

7Yahweh of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

8Come, see Yahweh’s works, what desolations he has made in the earth.

9He makes wars cease to the end of the earth. He breaks the bow, and shatters the spear. He burns the chariots in the fire.

10“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.”

11Yahweh of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Videos
Reflection

Summary

A psalm of trust (Song of Zion) — 'God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble'; though the earth be removed and mountains shake, the city of God stands; 'Be still, and know that I am God.'

Authorship & Background

Author: Multiple authors — primarily David (73 psalms attributed), plus Asaph (12), Sons of Korah (11), Solomon (2), Moses (1), Heman (1), Ethan (1), and anonymous. The Psalter was compiled over approximately 1000 years and served as Israel's hymnal and prayer book. The book is divided into five 'books' (1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150), paralleling the five books of Moses. Key themes: worship, lament, praise, trust, kingship, creation, wisdom, Messianic prophecy, and the full range of human emotion brought before God.
Classification: Hymn of Trust/Confidence (Song of Zion) Attributed Author: Sons of Korah (To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth) Key Themes: God as refuge, fearlessness in chaos, God's sovereign power, "Be still and know," divine presence in the city of God
Historical Context: Psalm 46 is one of the most beloved and powerful hymns in Scripture — a triumphant declaration of God's protection amidst cosmic chaos. The superscription "Alamoth" (literally "maidens" or "sopranos") likely indicates a musical direction for high-pitched voices or instruments. The historical occasion is debated; many connect it to the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem from Sennacherib's Assyrian army in 701 BC (2 Kings 18-19), when 185,000 soldiers were destroyed overnight by the angel of the LORD.
The psalm operates on three levels of chaos: cosmic (vv. 1-3: the earth shaking and seas roaring), political (vv. 4-7: nations raging and kingdoms tottering), and military (vv. 8-11: wars and weapons). Against all three, God stands as unshakeable refuge. The refrain "The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge" (vv. 7, 11) anchors each section in the twin truths of God's sovereign power ("LORD of hosts") and covenant relationship ("God of Jacob").
This psalm famously inspired Martin Luther's hymn "Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott" ("A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," 1529), written during his confrontation with the Roman Catholic Church and the threats against his life. Luther's hymn became the anthem of the Reformation and has strengthened believers through every subsequent generation of trial. The psalm's message remains timeless: when everything shakes, God does not.
Structure:
  • God Our Refuge in Cosmic Upheaval (vv. 1-3)
  • God's Presence in the City (vv. 4-7)
  • God's Sovereignty Over Nations and War (vv. 8-11)

Map & Geography

  • No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.

Videos

The Bible Project — Psalms Overview

Reflection

  • 1. God is refuge, not merely resource. He is not simply someone we call upon in emergencies — He is the shelter we inhabit. There is a difference between running to God when trouble comes and already dwelling in God so that trouble finds us already secure. The psalm speaks of God as our permanent address, not our emergency contact.
  • 2. "Be still" is a command, not a suggestion. In a culture of constant anxiety, productivity pressure, and frantic activity, verse 10 calls us to deliberate cessation. Stillness before God is not laziness — it is the active discipline of releasing our grip on outcomes and trusting His sovereignty. It requires more strength than striving.
  • 3. When everything shakes, God remains unmoved. Mountains fall into the sea, nations rage, kingdoms totter — but "she shall not be moved" (v. 5). Whatever is shaking in your life right now is not the foundation. God is the foundation, and He cannot be shaken. We can release our fear precisely because His stability is absolute.
  • 4. God's presence is better than perfect circumstances. Jerusalem had no river, but God was better than a river. We may lack what others have — resources, advantages, earthly security — but God's presence compensates for every absence. The gladness comes from Him, not from having everything figured out.
  • 5. "The LORD of hosts is with us." This is the Immanuel promise that runs from Eden through Bethlehem to eternity. The God who commands angel armies is also the God of Jacob — the God who meets us in our weakness, wrestles with us, and gives us new names. His power and His proximity are equally ours.