God’s Presence Makes Zion Secure
April 1, 2021
Commentary
The background for this Psalm is that the city of Jerusalem was being threatened by neighboring nations, but its inhabitants were calmly trusting in God for protection. The Psalmist starts out by saying that God is both a defense and an offense for His people (v. 1). He protects them as well as fights for them. This is the meaning of “refuge and strength.” A description of violent natural catastrophes are given (vv. 2-3). This description sounds like a combination of landslides, earthquakes, ocean storms and floods. Yet no matter what happens, those trusting in God are safe. While other nations were boasting of their security in castles with high walls and iron gates perched on high mountain cliffs, Israel was in a safer position than any of them. God was “her refuge and her strength.”
God’s presence is portrayed like a peaceful flowing river. In actuality no river flows by Jerusalem. Its water comes only from two springs, Gihon and En-Rogel. The reference here is to the river of God’s grace (v. 4). Ever since the Garden of Eden, God has had a river to bring peace to His own.
Another scene of terror and confusion are given (vv. 5-6). The nations rose up in fury against God’s people, but all to no avail. God’s mighty power “melts” the nations that roar against Him. This simply means that no storm of life can overtake us and no disaster in nature can destroy us since we are safe in God. His people will find safety when they trust in Him. The fear of the mountains or city suddenly crumbling int the sea as the result of a nuclear blast haunts many people today. But the psalmist says that even if the world ends, we don’t need to fear, God is our refuge in any circumstance (v. 7).
Application
What do I do when a crisis strikes in my life? Do I try to work through it myself, do I go to some person that I know or do I just turn it over to the Lord? I must remember that God wants to be my refuge and my strength.
Psalms 46:1– 7 (NET)
1 God is our strong refuge; he is truly our helper in times of trouble.
2 For this reason we do not fear when the earth shakes, and the mountains tumble into the depths of the sea,
3 when its waves crash and foam, and the mountains shake before the surging sea. (Selah)
4 The river’s channels bring joy to the city of God, the special, holy dwelling place of the Most High.
5 God lives within it, it cannot be moved. God rescues it at the break of dawn.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms are overthrown. God gives a shout, the earth dissolves.
7 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is on our side. The God of Jacob is our stronghold. (Selah)