God is our Refuge
This is a study of Psalm 46 telling us that God is our Refuge. One commentary tells us that this is based on God’s deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrians in the time of King Hezekiah.
This is a Bible Study. Have your own Bible handy to look up the references mentioned.
If you do not have a Bible, I invite you to go to BibleGateway.com or another online Bible.
“Psalm 46 was the scriptural catalyst for Martin Luther’s ‘A Mighty Fortress is Our God.’” This psalm also launches a trilogy of psalms (i.e., 46; 47; 48); They are all songs of triumph.” (MacArthur, John, The MacArthur Bible Commentary [Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2005], 629)
“The historical background is probably God’s deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrians in the time of King Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 32; and Isaiah 36-37). It would be helpful for you to read these accounts before examining the psalm.” (Wiersbe, Warren W, The Bible Exposition Commentary Old Testament Wisdom and Poetry [Colorado Springs: David C Cook, 2004], 181)
Several of the Bibles (different versions) I have state this is a “song of Alamoth.”
“’Alamoth’ means ‘young women’ and is a musical direction we can define.” (Wiersbe, 181)
“The psalm focuses on the Lord and what He is to His trusting people.” (Wiersbe, 181)
God is our refuge
1. When we are in trouble God is with us.
He will fight our battles for us.
God “shelters us so He can strengthen us to go back to life with its duties and dangers.” (Wiersbe, 182)
2. What would make the earth be removed or the mountains be carried into the sea?
“These are poetic allusions to earthquakes. Since ‘the earth’ and ‘mountains’ are regarded by men as symbols of stability, when they ‘dance’ great terror normally ensues.” (MacArthur, 629)
There is no need to be afraid.
Even when something happens to the earth.
And the mountains are carried into the sea.
Easier said than done?
We must trust Him (Matthew 13:58).
3. Even when roaring and troubled waters come, God is still with us.
Just as when the mountain shake and swell.
Hurricanes, tornados, lightening’s, and other storms.
They could be storms in our lives.
We have all experienced different storms in our lives.
God is there with us.
God is a River for us
4. Instead of roaring and being troubled this river that makes God glad.
“The words, in their present setting, refer to Jerusalem, God’s chosen earthly residence. (cf. Psalm 48:1-2; Isaiah 60:14). (MacArthur, 629)
5. God is with us and will not leave.
This is speaking of Jerusalem.
God will help her.
6. “The forces of nature and the nations are no longer a thread to the people of God who dwell with Him.” (MacArthur, 629)
7. God is with us.
He is our refuge.
Desolations
8. “The third scene is on the fields surrounding Jerusalem where the Assyrian soldiers lay dead…There had been no battle, but the angel of the Lord left this evidence behind to encourage the faith of the people.” (Wiersbe, 183)
Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
Image looking out from Jerusalem and seeing:
2 Kings 19:35 That night the angel of the Lord went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning—there were all the dead bodies! 36 So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and left. He returned home and lived in Nineveh.
9. McGee tells us the Messiah “is the one who makes wars to cease, breaks the bow, cuts the spear, and burns the chariot in the fire.” ((McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible: Volume IV: Nashville: [Thomas Nelson, 1983], 754)
He also compares this to Armageddon.
Know that I am God
10. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Here is the reason I chose this Psalm.
When I was 17, I worked on the staff at a religious camp.
One of the places I visited was a prayer garden at the top of a mountain.
This verse was on a board at a chapel.
It meant a lot to me. Be still and know that I am God.
Wiersbe states, “’Be still’ literally means ‘Take your hands off! Relax!’” (183)
God is telling us “I got this, let go and let me have it.” (The problem, situation, whatever—Let God!)
“God allows us to get into ‘tight places’ so our faith will grow and He will be exalted.” (Wiersbe, 183)
11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
God is with us. He is our refuge.
McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible: Volume IV: Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983
MacArthur, John, The MacArthur Bible Commentary Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2005
Wiersbe, Warren W, The Bible Exposition Commentary Old Testament Wisdom and Poetry Colorado Springs: David C Cook, 2004
