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Psalm 46

The King’s Reign

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For the choir director. By the Sons of Korah.
According to alamoth.[a] A song.

The Earth Shaken

God is our refuge and strength,
a helper who can always be found in times of trouble.
That is why we will not fear when the earth dissolves
and when the mountains tumble into the heart of the sea.
Its waters roar and foam.
The mountains quake when it rises. Interlude

A City Unshaken

There is a river—its streams bring joy to the city of God,
to the holy dwelling of the Most High.
God is in her. She will not fall.
God will help her at daybreak.
Nations are in turmoil. Kingdoms fall.
God raises his voice. The earth melts.
The Lord of Armies is with us.
The God of Jacob is a fortress for us. Interlude
Come, look at the works of the Lord.
What a wasteland he has made of the earth!
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth.
He shatters the bow. He cuts up the spear.
He burns the carts[b] with fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations.
I will be exalted on the earth.”

11 The Lord of Armies is with us.
The God of Jacob is a fortress for us. Interlude

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 46:1 Alamoth is a musical term of uncertain meaning. It probably refers to a method of tuning the instruments.
  2. Psalm 46:9 Or shields. If we keep the reading carts, it refers to the two-wheeled supply carts, not to the war chariots.

Psalm 46[a]

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth.[b] A song.

God is our refuge(A) and strength,(B)
    an ever-present(C) help(D) in trouble.(E)
Therefore we will not fear,(F) though the earth give way(G)
    and the mountains fall(H) into the heart of the sea,(I)
though its waters roar(J) and foam(K)
    and the mountains quake(L) with their surging.[c]

There is a river(M) whose streams(N) make glad the city of God,(O)
    the holy place where the Most High(P) dwells.(Q)
God is within her,(R) she will not fall;(S)
    God will help(T) her at break of day.
Nations(U) are in uproar,(V) kingdoms(W) fall;
    he lifts his voice,(X) the earth melts.(Y)

The Lord Almighty(Z) is with us;(AA)
    the God of Jacob(AB) is our fortress.(AC)

Come and see what the Lord has done,(AD)
    the desolations(AE) he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars(AF) cease
    to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow(AG) and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields[d] with fire.(AH)
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;(AI)
    I will be exalted(AJ) among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob(AK) is our fortress.(AL)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 46:1 In Hebrew texts 46:1-11 is numbered 46:2-12.
  2. Psalm 46:1 Title: Probably a musical term
  3. Psalm 46:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 7 and 11.
  4. Psalm 46:9 Or chariots