State of the World, Russia, Ukraine, talk of war, refuge God offers during uncertainty, rest in God instead of fer. Reminder resilient against fear that is so tempting. Believers God is our fortress as it is titled. Confident in God.
- Structural Context
Superscription Koharite cf Ps 42 & Ps 44, instead of maskil, powerful song, there is ‘plain’ song. Alamoth= virgins, musical term, sung by soprano or female voices
Affirmation of confidence
Account of chaos battle
Affirmation of confidence
Account of Global Revolt
Refrain
Victory Hymn
Divine Oracle
Refrain
More Simply[1]
Communal Affirmation of Confidence
Account of battle and victory
Refrain: Affirmation of Confidence
Admonition to Congregation
Refrain: Affirmation of Confidence
Caution of using Gerstenberger, discernment when encountering historical criticism
- Psalm 46 ESV Read by Micah Leaverton, RSV reprinted used for study mainly.
God’s Defense of His City and People[2]
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A Song.
46 God is our refuge and strength,
a very present[a] help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
3 though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah[3]
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
God will help it when the morning dawns.
6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.[b]Selah
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,
how he has wrought desolations in the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear,
he burns the chariots with fire!
10 “Be still, and know that I am God.
I am exalted among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth!”
11 The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.[c]Selah
Footnotes
- Psalm 46:1 Or well proved
- Psalm 46:7 Or fortress
- Psalm 46:11 Or fortress
[1] Erhard S. Gerstenberger, Psalms Part I with an Introduction to Cultic Poetry Vol XIV (Eerdmans: Grand Rapids, MI 1991) 194
[2] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+46&version=RSV accessed March 21, 2022
[3] Selah = several meanings, musical notation for pause, it may also mean a blessing forever https://www.yourdictionary.com/selah accessed March 21, 2022