A Very Present Help in Trouble – Psalm 46

Abarim-publications.com “guesses” that the term Alamoth “describes the sound coming from a myriad of lyres that sound like a myriad of girls giggling: very happy, full of life and governed merely by the mesmerizing chaos of unrestricted harmony.”  Others have suggested it is the plural of alma, virgin, signifying the psalm is to be performed by a women’s choir.  “It is said that Luther, when he heard any discouraging news, would say, ‘Come let us sing the 46th Psalm.'”

To the choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A Song.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.  God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.  The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.  The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth.  He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.  “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”  The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah  (Psalm 46 ESV)

The beginning, the middle and ending of this psalm are an assertion of Yahweh’s being a place of safety.  In between there is a declaration that the believer will not fear even though everything around him is coming undone.  The reason for this for the believing Israelite is that Yahweh loves Jerusalem and His nation Israel and need merely speak and the enemy will be confounded.  Yahweh Himself makes a statement calling for the believer to be still in the midst of trouble and know and believe that He is worthy of praise, exalted in the earth, and therefore capable of caring for His children.