Notes on the Book of Psalms, Psalm 46
The xlvi. PSALM.
Ierusalem or the people of Israel being at present in some great strait, or siedge, by a powerful enemie, and receiving deliverance. The Author of this Psalm expresseth it in a high and hyperbolical strain, thereby to incourage the faith of Gods people to a strong and extraordinarie belief in God for ever, from their late eminent experience of his power and readiness to help them, his favour towards them, and presence with them, which ought to establish and secure them for future.
Psalm xlvi. To the chief musician, for the sons of Korah. A song upon Alamoth.A Psalm or song made and set to Alamoth, an instrument or tune for the treble, and committed to the family of the Korathites for them to sing.
1 GOd is to us his people, that depend upon him and trust in him,1GOd is our refuge & strength a very present help in trouble. both safetie from, and power against our enemies, he may be confided in to the uttermost peril; for when we are nearest danger, he is nearest to deliver.
2 And therefore, should there be never such revolutions in nature,2Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed: and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. strange and terrible; yet, our faith in God shall keep us steadie; yea, though the center of the earth should shake and remove from its place, and that by the violence of tempests, the very mountains should be taken and hurled as a stone out of a sling from their place of residence far into the sea, yet shall our faith establish our hearts in God his grace and protection, how much more in the greatest tumults and commotions of civil affairs.
3 Though storms both at land and sea should at once seem to overwhelm us,3Though the waters thereof roar, and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. and all the world, and to dissolve the very course of nature it self, the seas threatning an universal deluge by their tempestuous rising, and fearful roaring, and should even shake the very mountains with their violent and impetuous beating upon them, yet, in God shall our hearts hold up their heads.
4There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the Citie of God: the holy place of the tabernacles of the most high.4 When the sea of troubles and combustions seem to overwhelm all the world besides, and they be made to drink of most bitter and troubled waters, even then shall the land of Jewry and especially the Citie of Jerusalem have peace and tranquillitie, and drink their fill of the fresh and pleasant streams of Cedron, for that it is Gods peculiar habitation, and therefore hath it his peculiar protection and favour, as shall have his holy and Catholick Church, typified by his sanctuarie there, the onelyonly place of resort for all the Israel of God to worship him in.
5 God in his worship and presence is there above all the world,5God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God shall help her, and that right early. and therefore she shall be protected, though the world be exposed; she shall need to fear no danger, for God shall both certainly and seasonably deliver her.
6 The heathen people with great force and furie were inraged against us,6The heathen raged, the Kingdoms were moved; he uttered his voice, the earth melted. whole Kingdoms and conspiracies of the Gentil-nations were moved at us, to seek our overthrow: but the Lord Almighty took our parts, and expressing his wrathful indignation by terrible thunder-claps from heaven against them, dissipated and discomfited all their earthly power.
7 Whatsoever armies are against us,7The Lord of hosts is with u…; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. the powerful and great commander, the Lord of hosts is with us, the God of our father Jacob, that mightily delivered him, is on our side, and in covenant with us, to do the like for us: Let us therefore be comforted in him.
8 Consider well and thankfully remember the mighty mercies he hath shewn us in the powerful overthrows of our great and numerous enemies,8Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth. how for our sakes he hath wonderfully destroyed them more than once, and nations more than one or two.
9He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth: he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear insunder, he burneth the chariot in the fire.9 He hath often times settled his people Israel in an universal peace, spite of all the nations of the world, their opposits; whose forces he hath defeated, and disabled their strength, though great, and as he hath done, so his power and promises are still of force to do for his Church, which he will preserve maugre her enemies and persecutors that infest her, and will give her peace by their destruction, and disablement, as he hath done for us.
10Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.10 Repose your hearts on God with inward content and securitie by a faithful expecting and apprehending of him for a God all-sufficient in your behalfs, one, that for your sakes will destroy the heathen, and will honour his power and greatness upon the Gentils round about.
11The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.11 Whatsoever armies are against us, the powerful and great commander in chief, the Lord of Hosts, even of all the numberless number of created beings in heaven and earth, is with us; the God of Jacob, that mightily delivered him is on our side, and in covenant with us, to do the like for us in time of danger and difficultie. Let us therefore be comforted in him.