Psalm 46

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 46

This psalm encourages us to hope and trust in God, and his power, and providence, and gracious presence with his church in the worst of times, and directs us to give him the glory of what he has done for us and what he will do: probably it was penned upon occasion of David's victories over the neighbouring nations (2 Sam. 8:1-18), and the rest which God gave him from all his enemies round about. We are here taught, I. To take comfort in God when things look very black and threatening, Ps.... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 46:1-5

The psalmist here teaches us by his own example. I. To triumph in God, and his relation to us and presence with us, especially when we have had some fresh experiences of his appearing in our behalf (Ps. 46:1): God is our refuge and strength; we have found him so, he has engaged to be so, and he ever will be so. Are we pursued? God is our refuge to whom we may flee, and in whom we may be safe and think ourselves so; secure upon good grounds, Prov. 18:10. Are we oppressed by troubles? Have we... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 46:6-11

These verses give glory to God both as King of nations and as King of saints. I. As King of nations, ruling the world by his power and providence, and overruling all the affairs of the children of men to his own glory; he does according to his will among the inhabitants of the earth, and none may say, What doest thou? 1. He checks the rage and breaks the power of the nations that oppose him and his interests in the world (Ps. 46:6): The heathen raged at David's coming to the throne, and at the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 46

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 46 To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth . The word "Alamoth" is thought by some, as Aben Ezra, to be the beginning of a song, to which this psalm was set; and by others a high tune, such as virgins express; and by others the name of musical instruments, as Jarchi and Kimchi; which seems most likely, since it is mentioned with other instruments of music in 1 Chronicles 15:19 ; and may not unfitly be rendered "virginals", from the sound... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 46:1

God is our refuge and strength ,.... That is, Christ, who is God as well as man, is the "refuge" for souls to fly unto for safety; as for sensible sinners, in a view of danger, wrath, and misery, so for saints, in every time of distress; typified by the cities of refuge, under the legal dispensation; See Gill on Psalm 9:9 ; and he it is from whom they have all their spiritual strength, and every renewal and supply of it, to exercise grace, perform duties, withstand enemies, bear the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 46:2

Therefore will not we fear ,...., The consideration of the Lord's being the refuge, strength, and help of his people, in all times of trouble and distress, has a great influence on their faith and confidence, and makes them intrepid and fearless in the midst of the greatest dangers: nor indeed have they any reason to be afraid of men or devils, since the Lord is on their side; nor should they indulge a slavish fear on any account whatever; though the earth be removed ; or "changed" F21... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 46:3

Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled ,.... The noise of which causes men's hearts to fail them for fear, Luke 21:25 ; though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof . All these figurative expressions denote the hurlyburlies, confusions, and disorders that have been or will be in the world; amidst all which the people of God have no reason to fear; for it is always well with the righteous, let it go how it will with others. The passage may be applied to the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 46:4

There is a river ,.... The allusion is either to the river Kidron, which ran by Jerusalem; or to the waters of Shiloah, which by different courses and branches, ran through the city of Jerusalem, and supplied the several parts of it with water, to the joy and comfort of its inhabitants: but the words are to be understood in a figurative sense, as applicable to Gospel times; and this river either designs the Gospel, the streams of which are its doctrines, which are living waters that went... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 46:5

God is in the midst of her ,.... The church and people of God; not merely by his essence, power, and providence, as he is in the midst of the world; but by his gracious presence, and which always continues, though not always perceived; and is a sufficient antidote against all fear of men and devils; she shall not be moved ; though the earth may; and when it is, Psalm 46:2 , neither from the heart of God, on which his people are set as a seal; nor from the hands of Christ, from whence... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 46:6

The Heathen raged ,.... As they did at Christ's first coming, against him, his Gospel, and people; and which continued during the three first centuries; and then the Pagan kingdoms belonging to the Roman empire were removed; since then another sort of Heathens, the Papists, have raged, in violent persecutions and bloodshed of the saints and martyrs of Jesus, and will rage again, about and at the downfall of Babylon; see Revelation 11:18 ; the kingdoms were moved ; either from their... read more

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