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Selected Verse: Psalms 46:1 - Strong Concordance
Verse |
Translation |
Text |
Ps 46:1 |
Strong Concordance |
To the chief Musician [05329] for the sons [01121] of Korah [07141], A Song [07892] upon Alamoth [05961]. God [0430] is our refuge [04268] and strength [05797], a very [03966] present [04672] help [05833] in trouble [06869]. |
|
King James |
To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
Upon Alamoth--most probably denotes the treble, or part sung by female voices, the word meaning "virgins"; and which was sung with some appropriately keyed instrument (compare Ch1 15:19-21; see on Psa 6:1, title). The theme may be stated in LUTHER'S well-known words, "A mighty fortress is our God." The great deliverance (Kg2 19:35; Isa 37:36) may have occasioned its composition. (Psa 46:1-11)
refuge--literally, "a place of trust" (Psa 2:12).
strength-- (Psa 18:2).
present help--literally, "a help He has been found exceedingly."
trouble--as in Psa 18:7. |
Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
God is our refuge and strength - God is for us as a place to which we may flee for safety; a source of strength to us in danger. The first word, "refuge," from a verb meaning to "flee," and then "to flee to" - הסה châsâh - or to take shelter in - denotes a place to which one would flee in time of danger - as a lofty wall; a high tower; a fort; a fortress. See the notes at Psa 18:2. The idea here is, that the people of God, in time of danger, may find him to be what such a place of refuge would be. Compare Pro 18:10. The word "strength" implies that God is the source of strength to those who are weak and defenseless; or that we may rely on his strength "as if" it were our own; or that we may feel as safe in his strength as though we had that strength ourselves. We may make it the basis of our confidence as really as though the strength resided in our own arm. See the notes at Psa 18:2.
A very present help - The word "help" here means aid, assistance. The word "trouble" would cover all that can come upon us which would give us anxiety or sorrow. The word rendered "present" - נמצא nimetsâ' - means rather, "is found," or "has been found;" that is, he has "proved" himself to be a help in trouble. The word "present," as if he were near to us, or close by us, does not accurately express the idea, which is rather, that "he has been found" to be such, or that he has always "proved" himself to be such a help, and that, therefore, we may now confide in him. The word "very," or "exceedingly," is added to qualify the whole proposition, as if this were "emphatically true." It was true in the most eminent sense that God had always been found to be such a helper, and, "therefore," there was nothing to fear in the present distress. Psa 46:2. |
Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78] |
(Heb.: 46:2-4) The congregation begins with a general declaration of that which God is to them. This declaration is the result of their experience. Luther, after the lxx and Vulg., renders it, "in the great distresses which have come upon us." As though נמצא could stand for הנּמצעות, and that this again could mean anything else but "at present existing," to which מאד is not at all appropriate. God Himself is called נמצא מאד as being one who allows Himself to be found in times of distress (Ch2 15:4, and frequently) exceedingly; i.e., to those who then seek Him He reveals Himself and verifies His word beyond all measure. Because God is such a God to them, the congregation or church does not fear though a still greater distress than that which they have just withstood, should break in upon them: if the earth should change, i.e., effect, enter upon, undergo or suffer a change (an inwardly transitive Hiphil, Ges. ֗53, 2); and if the mountains should sink down into the heart (בּלב exactly as in Eze 27:27; Jon 2:4) of the sea (ocean), i.e., even if these should sink back again into the waters out of which they appeared on the third day of the creation, so that consequently the old chaos should return. The church supposes the most extreme case, viz., the falling in of the universe which has been creatively set in order. We are no more to regard the language as being allegorical here (as Hengstenberg interprets it, the mountains being = the kingdoms of the world), than we would the language of Horace: si fractus illabatur orbis (Carm. iii. 3, 7). Since ימּים is not a numerical but amplificative plural, the singular suffixes in Psa 46:4 may the more readily refer back to it. גּאוה, pride, self-exaltation, used of the sea as in Psa 89:10 גּאוּת, and in Job 38:11 גּאון are used. The futures in Psa 46:4 do not continue the infinitive construction: if the waters thereof roar, foam, etc.; but they are, as their position and repetition indicate, intended to have a concessive sense. And this favours the supposition of Hupfeld and Ewald that the refrain, Psa 46:8, 12, which ought to form the apodosis of this concessive clause (cf. Psa 139:8-10; Job 20:24; Isa 40:30.) has accidentally fallen out here. In the text as it lies before us Psa 46:4 attaches itself to לא־נירא: (we do not fear), let its waters (i.e., the waters of the ocean) rage and foam continually; and, inasmuch as the sea rises high, towering beyond its shores, let the mountains threaten to topple in. The music, which here becomes forte, strengthens the believing confidence of the congregation, despite this wild excitement of the elements. |
Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
God is our refuge - It begins abruptly, but nobly; ye may trust in whom and in what ye please: but God (Elohim) is our refuge and strength.
A very present help - A help found to be very powerful and effectual in straits and difficulties. The words are very emphatic: עזרה בצרות נמצא מאד ezerah betsaroth nimtsa meod, "He is found an exceeding, or superlative help in difficulties." Such we have found him, and therefore celebrate his praise. |
7 Then the earth [0776] shook [01607] and trembled [07493]; the foundations [04146] also of the hills [02022] moved [07264] and were shaken [01607], because he was wroth [02734].
2 The LORD [03068] is my rock [05553], and my fortress [04686], and my deliverer [06403]; my God [0410], my strength [06697], in whom I will trust [02620]; my buckler [04043], and the horn [07161] of my salvation [03468], and my high tower [04869].
12 Kiss [05401] the Son [01248], lest he be angry [0599], and ye perish [06] from the way [01870], when his wrath [0639] is kindled [01197] but a little [04592]. Blessed [0835] are all they that put their trust [02620] in him.
1 To the chief Musician [05329] for the sons [01121] of Korah [07141], A Song [07892] upon Alamoth [05961]. God [0430] is our refuge [04268] and strength [05797], a very [03966] present [04672] help [05833] in trouble [06869].
2 Therefore will not we fear [03372], though the earth [0776] be removed [04171], and though the mountains [02022] be carried [04131] into the midst [03820] of the sea [03220];
3 Though the waters [04325] thereof roar [01993] and be troubled [02560], though the mountains [02022] shake [07493] with the swelling [01346] thereof. Selah [05542].
4 There is a river [05104], the streams [06388] whereof shall make glad [08055] the city [05892] of God [0430], the holy [06918] place of the tabernacles [04908] of the most High [05945].
5 God [0430] is in the midst [07130] of her; she shall not be moved [04131]: God [0430] shall help [05826] her, and that right [06437] early [01242].
6 The heathen [01471] raged [01993], the kingdoms [04467] were moved [04131]: he uttered [05414] his voice [06963], the earth [0776] melted [04127].
7 The LORD [03068] of hosts [06635] is with us; the God [0430] of Jacob [03290] is our refuge [04869]. Selah [05542].
8 Come [03212], behold [02372] the works [04659] of the LORD [03068], what desolations [08047] he hath made [07760] in the earth [0776].
9 He maketh wars [04421] to cease [07673] unto the end [07097] of the earth [0776]; he breaketh [07665] the bow [07198], and cutteth [07112] the spear [02595] in sunder [07112]; he burneth [08313] the chariot [05699] in the fire [0784].
10 Be still [07503], and know [03045] that I am God [0430]: I will be exalted [07311] among the heathen [01471], I will be exalted [07311] in the earth [0776].
11 The LORD [03068] of hosts [06635] is with us; the God [0430] of Jacob [03290] is our refuge [04869]. Selah [05542].
36 Then the angel [04397] of the LORD [03068] went forth [03318], and smote [05221] in the camp [04264] of the Assyrians [0804] a hundred [03967] and fourscore [08084] and five [02568] thousand [0505]: and when they arose early [07925] in the morning [01242], behold, they were all dead [04191] corpses [06297].
35 And it came to pass that night [03915], that the angel [04397] of the LORD [03068] went out [03318], and smote [05221] in the camp [04264] of the Assyrians [0804] an hundred [03967] fourscore [08084] and five [02568] thousand [0505]: and when they arose early [07925] in the morning [01242], behold, they were all dead [04191] corpses [06297].
1 To the chief Musician [05329] on Neginoth [05058] upon Sheminith [08067], A Psalm [04210] of David [01732]. O LORD [03068], rebuke [03198] me not in thine anger [0639], neither chasten [03256] me in thy hot displeasure [02534].
19 So the singers [07891], Heman [01968], Asaph [0623], and Ethan [0387], were appointed to sound [08085] with cymbals [04700] of brass [05178];
20 And Zechariah [02148], and Aziel [05815], and Shemiramoth [08070], and Jehiel [03171], and Unni [06042], and Eliab [0446], and Maaseiah [04641], and Benaiah [01141], with psalteries [05035] on Alamoth [05961];
21 And Mattithiah [04993], and Elipheleh [0466], and Mikneiah [04737], and Obededom [05654], and Jeiel [03273], and Azaziah [05812], with harps [03658] on the Sheminith [08067] to excel [05329].
2 Therefore will not we fear [03372], though the earth [0776] be removed [04171], and though the mountains [02022] be carried [04131] into the midst [03820] of the sea [03220];
2 The LORD [03068] is my rock [05553], and my fortress [04686], and my deliverer [06403]; my God [0410], my strength [06697], in whom I will trust [02620]; my buckler [04043], and the horn [07161] of my salvation [03468], and my high tower [04869].
10 The name [08034] of the LORD [03068] is a strong [05797] tower [04026]: the righteous [06662] runneth [07323] into it, and is safe [07682].
2 The LORD [03068] is my rock [05553], and my fortress [04686], and my deliverer [06403]; my God [0410], my strength [06697], in whom I will trust [02620]; my buckler [04043], and the horn [07161] of my salvation [03468], and my high tower [04869].
4 There is a river [05104], the streams [06388] whereof shall make glad [08055] the city [05892] of God [0430], the holy [06918] place of the tabernacles [04908] of the most High [05945].
30 Even the youths [05288] shall faint [03286] and be weary [03021], and the young men [0970] shall utterly [03782] fall [03782]:
24 He shall flee [01272] from the iron [01270] weapon [05402], and the bow [07198] of steel [05154] shall strike him through [02498].
8 If I ascend up [05266] into heaven [08064], thou art there: if I make my bed [03331] in hell [07585], behold, thou art there.
9 If I take [05375] the wings [03671] of the morning [07837], and dwell [07931] in the uttermost parts [0319] of the sea [03220];
10 Even there shall thy hand [03027] lead [05148] me, and thy right hand [03225] shall hold [0270] me.
8 Come [03212], behold [02372] the works [04659] of the LORD [03068], what desolations [08047] he hath made [07760] in the earth [0776].
4 There is a river [05104], the streams [06388] whereof shall make glad [08055] the city [05892] of God [0430], the holy [06918] place of the tabernacles [04908] of the most High [05945].
11 And said [0559], Hitherto [05704] [06311] shalt thou come [0935], but no further [03254]: and here shall thy proud [01347] waves [01530] be stayed [07896]?
10 Thou hast broken [01792] Rahab [07294] in pieces [01792], as one that is slain [02491]; thou hast scattered [06340] thine enemies [0341] with thy strong [05797] arm [02220].
4 There is a river [05104], the streams [06388] whereof shall make glad [08055] the city [05892] of God [0430], the holy [06918] place of the tabernacles [04908] of the most High [05945].
4 Then I said [0559], I am cast out [01644] of thy sight [05869]; yet I will look [05027] again [03254] toward thy holy [06944] temple [01964].
27 Thy riches [01952], and thy fairs [05801], thy merchandise [04627], thy mariners [04419], and thy pilots [02259], thy calkers [0919] [02388], and the occupiers [06148] of thy merchandise [04627], and all thy men [0582] of war [04421], that are in thee, and in all thy company [06951] which is in the midst [08432] of thee, shall fall [05307] into the midst [03820] of the seas [03220] in the day [03117] of thy ruin [04658].
4 But when they in their trouble [06862] did turn [07725] unto the LORD [03068] God [0430] of Israel [03478], and sought [01245] him, he was found [04672] of them.