Reflections on Psalms 46

 Psalms 46(Contemporary English Version)

1. (A special song for the people of Korah and for the music leader.) God is our mighty fortress, always ready to help in times of trouble.
   
2. And so, we won't be afraid! Let the earth tremble and the mountains tumble into the deepest sea.
   
3. Let the ocean roar and foam, and its raging waves shake the mountains.
   
4. A river and its streams bring joy to the city, which is the sacred home of God Most High.
   
5. God is in that city, and it won't be shaken. He will help it at dawn.
   
6. Nations rage! Kingdoms fall! But at the voice of God the earth itself melts.
   
7. The LORD All-Powerful is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress.
   
8. Come! See the fearsome things the LORD has done on earth.
   
9. God brings wars to an end all over the world. He breaks the arrows, shatters the spears, and burns the shields.
   
10. Our God says, "Calm down, and learn that I am God! All nations on earth will honor me."
    
11. The LORD All-Powerful is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress.

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Psalm 46 has brought comfort to many who are in times of trouble and many more who know they will need to hold strong in its words soon enough. As I read it I envision one who takes refuge in God being held secure in a bubble that is buffeted all around by a world falling apart.

In the first three verses we are told that with God as our refuge we have nothing to fear regardless of the circumstances. Even if our world is falling apart! Verses 2 and 3 describe the world actually falling apart: "though the earth trembles and the mountains topple into the depths of the seas." But we may take it more metaphorically for the falling apart of our personal world. Whatever we might imagine happening to us, we have reason to take comfort in God who is our helper.

With the vision in our minds of the world falling apart and chaos abounding all around us, we are then taken to a scene in which God's presence is described as a peaceful flowing river. This is our world inside the bubble. Outside there is chaos. Now, in verse 6, this chaos is described as nations raging and kingdoms toppling. But inside our bubble of God's refuge, God's peace is like a peaceful flowing river. This is because, "The LORD of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold." (46:7)

We are invited in verse 8 to take our eyes off the chaotic scene around us and to look instead on "the works of the Lord." "He makes wars cease throughout the earth. He shatters bows and cuts spears to pieces; He burns up the chariots." (46:9) Then we are told to "Stop your fighting--and know that I am God." (46:10) Quit trying to control the chaos and simply let God take over. In so doing, we will know that He is indeed God. Drawn into the imagery of the psalm and adding some of my own, I envision one who is caught in a raging river, flailing about trying to keep their head above water. But then they give in and let the river take them and it becomes a calm and peaceful flowing river that gently carries them along. This being the result of stopping our flailing about to control our chaos and relaxing to let God be our refuge.