though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
This psalm celebrates a singular, miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem from extreme peril, not merely the constant protection God always grants His Church. The prophet exhorts the faithful to commit themselves confidently to His protection, assured that He will preserve them from all assaults of their enemies, for it is His peculiar office to quell every commotionI cannot say with certainty when it was composed, but the language expresses faith under threatened difficulty rather than triumph already won.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 46:1-11
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled. When all things are excited to fury, and reveal their utmost power to disturb, faith smiles serenely. She is not afraid of noise, nor even of real force, she knows that the Lord stilleth the raging of the sea, and holdeth the waves in the hollow of his hand. Though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.
God is our refuge to flee to, our strength to bear us up under burdens, our help at hand and never found wanting. Are we pursued? We find secure shelter in Him. Are we oppressed? He fits us for service and suffering alike. Those who with holy reverence fear God need not be amazed or afraid of any power of hell or earth. If God be for us, who can be against us to do us harm?
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 46:1-5