Last Updated on September 22, 2021 by Pastor Ikechukwu Chinedum
Today we will be studying the book of Psalm 46 the meaning from verse to verse. It says God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. The reality is that there will be difficult times, but God promises to be our refuge. When buildings are crumbling and our world is shaken. God has not failed us. He has promised to be with us in the middle of tragedy. We sometimes think that when we find ourselves in difficult circumstances that God has abandoned us, but this is not the case. As we explore these psalms today our eyes shall be opened to the reality of Gods help in our lives.
Psalm 46 meaning verse by verse
Psalm 46:1 “GOD IS OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH, A VERY PRESENT HELP IN TROUBLE.”
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This is the first verse of the chapter, it’s talking about the strength of God, that is, Christ, who is God, is the “refuge” for souls to run unto for safety. Others may boast of their great armies and their weapons of war, but our strength and help if we are Christians are the Lord. There is no security in this world, or in the things of this world. God alone can help us.
Psalm 46:2 “THEREFORE WILL NOT FEAR, THOUGH THE EARTH BE REMOVED, AND THOUGH THE MOUNTAINS NE CARRIED INTO THE MIDST OF THE SEA;”
When earth changes and when mountains move, shake. These are poetic illusions to earthquakes. Since the earth and mountains are regarded by men as symbols of stability when they dance great terror normally occurs. But when the most stable becomes unstable, there should be no fear because of the transcendent stability of God. You see, this earth that we dwell in is very unstable. I will not fear, because I will look up and rejoice for my redemption draweth nigh. The world’s people today do fear, as the following Scripture tells us.
Psalm 46:3 “THOUGH THE WATERS THEREOF ROAR AND BE TROUBLED, THOUGH THE MOUNTAINS SHAKE WITH THE SWELLING THEREOF.”
Though the waters thereof roar”: This is an illustration of powerfully surging and potentially destructive floods of waters. These will not erode God’s protective fortifications. We know that this too can happen and will happen during the wrath of God. In the verse above, take a moment and think about these things. Fear is not for the Christian. We have hope and the world does not. We know that when all of this begins, there will be an earthquake that we are felt all over the earth. Of course, all of this uproar of the earth will cause the waters to swell as well. What a wonderful time to be somewhere else other than on this earth.
Psalm 46:4 ” THERE IS A RIVER, THE STREAMS WHEREOF SHALL MAKE GLAD THE CITY OF GOD, THE HOLY PLACE OF THE TABERNACLES OF THE MOST HIGH;”
There is a river that brings great peace to the Christian. It is the river of the Spirit of God. This is speaking of the river that brings perfect peace to the church of God. This is that water spoken of by Jesus to the woman at the well. This city of God is the habitation of God. Each true Christian is the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit of God.
Psalm 46:5 “GOD IS IN THE MIDST OF HER, SHE SHALL NOT BE MOVED, GID SHALL HELP HER AND THAT RIGHT EARLY.”
Her in this verse is the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. God dwells in the Christian, so she cannot be moved. Right early would mean at the breaking of the day. The world may be falling down around her, but the church will not fall. The church in this sense is not a building, but the Christians.
Psalm 46:6 “THE HEATHEN RAGED, THE KINGDOMS WERE MOVED, HE UTTERED HIS VOICE, THE EARTH MELTED.”
The heathen raged. The nations were in a furious uproar, they gathered against the city of the Lord like wolves ravenous for their prey. The kingdoms were moved, He uttered his voice, the earth melted. With no other instrumentality than a word to melt all hearts in love to Jesus, and to end forever all the persecutions, wars, and rebellions of men!
Psalm 46:7 “THE LORD OF HOST IS WITH US, THE GOD OF JACOB IS OUR REFUGE.
This verse tells us about the God who appeared to Jacob in his distress, and saved him out of all his troubles, appeared also for us his descendants, and has amply proved to us that he has not forgotten his covenant. He is always on the side of his people, therefore they have nothing to fear from all the hosts and armies of men.
Psalm 46:8 ” COME, BEHOLD THE WORKS OF THE LORD, WHAT DESOLATIONS HE HATH MADE IN THE EARTH.”
Desolations”: This word not only characterizes God’s past exploits but it is also employed in various days of the Lord. We know of the utter destruction God brought on Sodom and Gomorrah. This will be just such a destruction, but even more widespread. This verse is about the time when the wrath of God is poured out upon the earth, and all the other destructions that go with that. Praise God that we will not be part of the destruction, but will be beholding the destruction.
Psalm 46:9 “HE 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.”
The war we have been reading about is the war that ends all wars. Jesus is the King of Peace. He brings peace to the world. We saw in the previous verse; how great the voice of God is. He speaks, and peace comes. There will be no more weapons. God destroys them all. There will be a time of peace, such as the world has never known.
Psalm 46:10 “BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD, I WILL BE EXALTED AMONG THE HEATHEN, I WILL BE EXALTED IN THE EARTH.”
This is not a request, but a command. There will be no question that this is God. Sometimes God does not want us helping Him. He wants us to be still. and know that He is God. Jesus will reign with a rod of iron for a thousand years on this earth. We will serve Jesus as His helpers over the heathen.
Psalm 46:11 “THE LORD OF HOSTS IS WITH US, THE GOD OF JACOB IS OUR REFUGE.”
This is the last verse of the chapter, it tells us about how Christians throughout the world should shout praises of this fact. He is our refuge, hiding place. The God of Jacob is the Lord. The Lord is with us now and will continue to be with us for all of eternity.
When do I need this Psalm?
You might be wondering when exactly do you need this Psalm, you can check below for some of the situations when you should use Psalm 46
- When you are confused about life that you don’t even know what to do.
- When you need the divine help of God Almighty.
- This Psalm is needed when you feel that things are not working for you the way they should.
- When you need the courage and strength of God.
Prayer Points
- Lord you are help in a moment of need, arise, and help me in the name of Jesus.
- Lord God, I ask for the grace not to be confounded by life challenges in the name of Jesus.
- I decree peace upon every situation of my life in the name of Jesus.
- By your power lord, I ask that you will bring down every mountain in front of me in the name of Jesus.
- Lord I seek your refuge let me not be conquered in the name of Jesus.
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