God is Our Refuge

PSALM 46

^NASPsalm 46:1-11 For the choir director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah, set to Alamoth. A Song. God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. ² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; ³ Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah. ⁴ There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High. ⁵ God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns ⁶ The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth melted. ⁷ The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah. ⁸ Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has wrought desolations in the earth. ⁹ He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire. ¹⁰ “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” ¹¹ The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.

“PSALM 46 HELPS US TO VISUALIZE GOD – the Creator of earth, mountains, and sea – among His people, elevated on a high mountain with a mountain stream – representative of His blessings – flowing through His kingdom.” – VanGemeren

THE BIBLE SAYS THAT GOD IS A REFUGE. But He is not just a refuge; He is our refuge…

A REFUGE IS A PLACE OF SAFETY OR PROTECTION FROM ENEMIES

YOU MAY BE FAMILIAR WITH THE O.T. TERM “CITIES OF REFUGE.” Six of the levitical (briefly, Levites were one of the 12 tribes of ancient Israel primarily concerned with priestly duties) cities were designated as cities of refuge (Josh. 20:7-9) where one who accidentally caused a death might seek asylum from avengers until his case could be judged by the elders of the city.

^NASJoshua 20:6-9 ‘And he shall dwell in that city until he stands before the congregation for judgment, until the death of the one who is high priest in those days. Then the manslayer shall return to his own city and to his own house, to the city from which he fled.'” ⁷ So they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali and Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the hill country of Judah. ⁸ And beyond the Jordan east of Jericho, they designated Bezer in the wilderness on the plain from the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead from the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan from the tribe of Manasseh. ⁹ These were the appointed cities for all the sons of Israel and for the stranger who sojourns among them, that whoever kills any person unintentionally may flee there, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood until he stands before the congregation.

^NASNumbers 35:6, 12 “And the cities which you shall give to the Levites shall be the six cities of refuge, which you shall give for the manslayer to flee to… ¹² ‘And the cities shall be to you as a refuge from the avenger, so that the manslayer may not die until he stands before the congregation for trial.

IF THE MAN WAS FOUND TO BE INNOCENT of deliberate murder, he could continue to live in sanctuary in the city of refuge (Num. 35:6-28; Deut. 19:1-13)…

GOD IS OFTEN PORTRAYED AS A REFUGE OR SHELTER FOR HUMANITY, most frequently in the Psalms. Aside from Psalm 46…

^NASPsalm 7:1 A Shiggaion (a wild passionate song with abrupt changes in rhythm) of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning Cush, a Benjamite. O Lord my God, in Thee I have taken refuge; Save me from all those who pursue me, and deliver me,

^NASPsalm 11:1 For the choir director. A Psalm of David. In the LORD I take refuge; How can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain;

^NASPsalm 25:20 Guard my soul and deliver me; Do not let me be ashamed, for I take refuge in Thee.

^NASPsalm 31:1 For the choir director. A Psalm of David. In Thee, O LORD, I have taken refuge; Let me never be ashamed; In Thy righteousness deliver me.

^NASPsalm 36:7 How precious is Thy lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Thy wings.

^NASPsalm 62:8 Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah.

^ESVPsalm 91:2 I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

OUT OF THE 49 TIMES THE ENGLISH WORDS FOR “REFUGE” ARE USESN THE O.T., 18 ARE FOUND IN THE PSALMS.

IN OUR TRIBULATIONS, CAN WE CONSISTENTLY SAY THAT WE HAVE TAKEN REFUGE IN GOD, OR HAVE RELYED IN OUR OWN WISDOM AND STREGTH?

^NASPsalm 62:7-8 On God my salvation and my glory rest; The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God. ⁸ Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah.

^NASPsalm 71:7 I have become a marvel to many; For Thou art my strong refuge.

THE NET BIBLE TRANSLATES THE HEBREW WORD THIS WAY…

^NETPsalm 71:7 Many are appalled when they see me, but you are my secure shelter.

AND FROM THE PROPHETS ISAIAH AND JEREMIAH…

^NASIsaiah 4:6 And there will be a shelter to give shade from the heat by day, and refuge and protection from the storm and the rain.

^NASJeremiah 16:19 O LORD, my strength and my stronghold, And my refuge in the day of distress…”

“GOD IS OUR REFUGE,” OUR “SHELTER,” OUR “PROTECTION,” our “strength”…

UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT THE WORD “REFUGE” gives us a beautiful insight into the merciful protection of God as well as brings us an abiding sense of comfort…

A REFUGE IS A PLACE OF SAFETY OR PROTECTION, a shelter or relief from danger or anxiety.

THE O.T. CONCEPT OF A REFUGE OWES ITS RICHNESS TO SEVERAL HEBREW words. In Isaiah 33:16 the Hebrew word used pictures a high unassailable rock…

^NASIsaiah 33:16 He will dwell on the heights; His refuge will be the impregnable rock; His bread will be given him; His water will be sure.

THE HEBREW WORD IN DEUTERONOMY 32:27 PICTURES A SECURE dwelling place…

^NASDeuteronomy 33:27 “The eternal God is a dwelling place, And underneath are the everlasting arms…

IN PSALM 142:4-5, THE HEBREW WORD PICTURES A PLACE TO FLEE TO…

^NASPsalm 142:4-5 Look to the right and see; For there is no one who regards me; There is no escape for me; No one cares for my soul. ⁵ I cried out to Thee, O LORD; I said, “Thou art my refuge, My portion in the land of the living.

AND FINALLY, IN ISAIAH 4:6, THE HEBREW WORD MEANS A SHELTER…

^NASIsaiah 4:6 And there will be a shelter to give shade from the heat by day, and refuge and protection from the storm and the rain.

THIS IS THE SAME HEBREW WORD FOUND IN PSALM 46:1…

THE HEBREW WORD HERE IS CLOSELY RELATED TO A “SECRET PLACE”…

“REFUGE” is primarily an O. T. word, being found only once in the N.T.…

^NASHebrews 6:18 in order that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have strong encouragement, we who have fled for refuge in laying hold of the hope set before us.

I THOUGHT ABOUT WHY THIS MIGHT BE SO, AND I believe the reason “refuge” is not prominent in the N.T. is simple and direct: N.T. believers have the Refuge indwelling them…

ONE WRITER SAID, “The ‘refuge’ of Christians is in the hope of the eschatological triumph of God in Christ (Heb. 6:18). – Freedman

STILL, THE ANALOGY OF FLEEING TO GOD FOR REFUGE REMAINS VALID. Psalm 46, is an appropriate encouragement for N.T. believers…

NOW, LET’S STUDY PSALM 46…

VERSES 1-3: GOD IS THE DEFENSE OF HIS SAINTS…

1 God is our refuge and strength,

A very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change

And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;

3 Though its waters roar and foam,

Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.

ISN’T THAT SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL, BOTH THE COMFORTING MESSAGE AND THE POETIC IMAGES?

“SELAH” IS FOUND 71 TIMES IN THE PSALMS AND 3 TIMES IN THE BOOK OF Habakkuk… It is a term that is all but impossible to define with certainty. “It is probably either a liturgico-musical mark or an instruction on the reading of the text, something like ‘stop and listen.’ ‘Let those with eyes see and with ears hear’ is most concise. ‘Selah’ can also be used to indicate that there is to be a musical interlude at that point in the Psalm. The Amplified Bible states Selah as ‘pause, and think of that.’” – Wikipedia… I have always thought that last opinion is the best.

46:1-3. The psalmist declared that God is the Refuge (maḥseh, “shelter from danger”; and Strength (cf. comments on 18:1) of believers. In other words they find safety and courage by trusting in Him, who is always present to help them in their troubles. So the saints need not fear, even if many perils come against them. The language is hyperbolic, to describe how great the perils may be that could come. No matter what happens, those trusting in Him are safe. – Bible Knowledge Commentary

VERSES 4-5: THE RIVER IN THE MIDST OF THE CITY…

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

The holy dwelling places of the Most High.

5 God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved;

God will help her when morning dawns.

46:4-5. The psalmist observed that the peace of Jerusalem—the city of God with the holy place where God dwelt (i.e., made His presence known)—was secured by God. The Lord’s presence was like a peaceful flowing river (in contrast with perilous torrents, v. 3). (Cf. Isa. 8:6; 33:21, where the Lord is compared to a river encircling His city.) Because God was within her, the city would not fall. (Years later, however, the city did fall. Because of extensive idolatry in the temple, Ezek. 8, God’s presence left, Ezek. 10. Without His protective presence, Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians.) – B.K.C.

“ZION” IS ANOTHER WORD FOR JERUSALEM, THE CITY OF GOD…

^NAS1 Kings 8:1 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the fathers’ households of the sons of Israel, to King Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the city of David, which is Zion.

^NASPsalm 48:2 Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, Is Mount Zion in the far north, The city of the great King.

MANY OF THE BOOKS I READ FOR THIS STUDY MADE ZION PROMINENT in their discussion of Psalm 46. Here is an excerpt from one: “Several psalms (46, 48, 76) and numerous allusions in the Psalms proclaim the excellencies of Zion. At the center of Zion theology is Yahweh, the Divine Warrior-King, whose kingdom extends to all creation (99:2) but especially to His children.” – VanGemeren…

“MOUNT ZION STANDS FOR THE VISION OF GOD’S KINGSHIP. God’s kingdom is greater than Jerusalem but receives its visible expression in the temple and palace of Jerusalem. Yahweh and His dwelling (temple) are associated with Zion. Further, David is closely related to the Zion tradition because Yahweh commended him for his desire to build a temple in Jerusalem.” – VanGemeren

THERE IS A FURTHER HISTORICAL REFERENT BEHIND THE PSALMIST’S WORDS about the river. There really was a physical river in the midst of the ancient city of Jerusalem…

^NAS2 Kings 20:20 Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah and all his might, and how he made the pool and the conduit, and brought water into the city, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?

^NAS2 Chronicles 32:30 It was Hezekiah who stopped the upper outlet of the waters of Gihon and directed them to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all that he did.

HEZEKIAH’S TUNNEL – In 711 b.c., just a few years after Hezekiah had become king, Sargon II of Assyria captured Ashdod. Hezekiah anticipated the time when he would have to confront Assyrian armies. Hezekiah fortified the city of Jerusalem and organized an army. Knowing that a source of water was crucial, Hezekiah constructed a tunnel through solid rock from the spring of Gihon to the Siloam pool. The city wall was extended to enclose this important source of water. – Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary

VERSES 6-7: GOD IS THE SOURCE OF SAFETY…

6 The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered;

He raised His voice, the earth melted.

7 The Lord of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.

46:6-7. The psalmist then described God’s mighty power: by His powerful word God melts the nations that roar against Him (cf. 2:5). Though kingdoms would fall, Jerusalem was safe.

Thus the Lord Almighty is like a fortress (miśgoḇ, “a high safe place,” trans. “fortress” in 46:11; 48:3; 59:9, 16-17; 62:2, 6; 94:22, and “stronghold” in 9:9; 18:2; 144:2) to His people (cf. 46:11). They find safety when they trust in Him. – B.K.C.

AS YOU MAY KNOW, THE FAMOUS CHRISTIAN HYMN, “A MIGHTY FORTRESS is our God” was written and composed by Martin Luther, probably in 1529. The hymn became the great rallying cry of the 16^th century Protestant Reformation. – from Amazing Grace…

“A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD, a bulwark never failing, our helper He amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing. For still our ancient for doth seek to work us woe – His craft and pow’r are great, and, armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal. Did we in our own strength confide our striving would be losing, were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing. Don’t ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He – Lord Sabaoth His name, from age to age the same – and He must win the battle…” – Martin Luther

VERSES 8-11: GOD WILL BE EXALTED IN THE EARTH…

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,

Who has wrought desolations in the earth.

9 He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth;

He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;

He burns the chariots with fire.

10 “Cease striving and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

11 The Lord of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.

“A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD”…

AFTER CONSIDERING ALL THAT HAS BEEN SAID ABOVE, IT HARDLY SEEMS NECESSARY TO POINT OUT CONCLUSIVELY THAT to seek refuge in something or someone other than God, such as wealth or worldly influence, is foolhardy…

^ESVPsalm 52:7 “See the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches and sought refuge in his own destruction!”

46:8-11. The psalmist exhorted the saints to observe the saving mighty deeds of God. These deeds portray how God brings peace to His people, destroying weapons throughout the earth. God Himself calls for the people to trust in Him and know that He is God, for He will be exalted throughout the earth. Verses 8-10 no doubt greatly encouraged the people of Jerusalem, as the final verse (v. 11) reiterates (cf. v. 7). Also to saints of all ages, the call for a silent trust in God’s saving power, in anticipation of universal peace, has been a source of comfort and strength. – B.K.C.

LET’S END THIS WEEK’S STUDY BY FOCUSING ON V. 10.For most Christians, I would say, this is the most familiar verse in the entire psalm. From the NKJ…

^NKJPsalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

FIRST, “BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.” The Hebrew word for “still” means literally to sink in the sense of relax. One writer (Perowne) said the word means “Let your hand sink down,” that is, cease your efforts…

THAT IS SO VERY IMPORTANT, AND SO OFTEN OVERLOOKED. This doesn’t mean don’t do anything at all, but it means don’t try to manage everything yourself. “Cease striving to change your situation; pray and trust God to change you for the better in the midst of the situation…

WHEN WE CEASE, WHEN WE ARE OCCUPIED ELEWHERE, THEN WE KNOW. The Hebrew verb for know is used 875 times in the O.T. in 170 different forms. In other words, it is very general. And because of this it is all but impossible to draw confident conclusions. However, the Greek word that is used in the Septuagint does give us more insight as to what the psalmist intended in v. 10 (the Septuagint [LXX] is the Greek translation of the Hebrew O.T.). The Greek word is γινώσκω (gi-nos-ko), an often used word in the N.T. It primarily means experiential knowledge, knowledge that is realized through experience. I think that is what the psalmist had in mind…

“BE STILL; CEASE STRIVING; LET YOUR HANDS SINK DOWN, AND you will realize that God is your Refuge”…

I THINK ANOTHER WAY OF INTERPRETING “BE STILL” OR “CEASE STRIVING” IS simply and profoundly have faith…

WE’D PROBABLY ALL LIKE TO LIVE IN THE BRIGHTNESS OF DIRECT and immediate revelation, prophets speaking, miracles happening. But the reality is we live in the gray. God wants us to trust Him through the silence and uncertainty; He wants us to trust Him. He wants us to have faith. – rewritten from a remark by Haddon Robinson…

^NASHebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

WE BELIEVE, WE TRUST, EVEN WHEN WE CANNOT SEE…

^NASHebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

OUR CHARISMATICS BROTHERS AND SISTERS SAY WE MUST DO SOMETHING MORE THAN PRAY AND TRUST, that being still and having faith is not enough when things get tough. But it is the inarguable theme of Scripture that more than anything else, God desires faith: “And without faith it is impossible to please Him.” (Hebrews 11:6).

BACK IN THE DAYS OF THE CIVIL WAR, JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL WROTE a poem entitles The Present Crisis… You are probably familiar with some of the words of that poem. He wrote, “Truth forever on the scaffold, wrong forever on the throne. But behind that dim unknown standeth God within the shadows keeping watch above His own.” As I worked through Psalm 46 this week, and considered it in light of our current culture, I thought of this poem. It is a poem of faith. It is saying that even when you can’t see God’s actions with our eyes, we can trust that He always acting, and always acting with our best interests in mind.

I THINK YOU’LL AGREE, “GOD IS OUR REFUGE” IS A GREAT THOUGHT FOR US TODAY, and any day.

WHATEVER OUR CIRCUMSTANCE, IF WE TRUST GOD; HE IS OUR REFUGE.

AND WHEN GOD IS OUR REFUGE, OUR REFUGE IS PERMANENT. Earthly harbors, whether they be people or places, are ultimately temporary. I remember many times walking rainy streets in New York City during my younger years before I was saved and I would stop in a coffee shop for a shelter from the storm. I’d sip a decaf, listen to Coltrane on my Walkman, and watch the people go by. It was a nice time out of the rain. But that was an earthly refuge, only a pleasant respite. I never intended the refuge to be permanent. The coffee shop was a temporary fortress. Oh, there are times when God will close the doors and make us stand in the rain to teach us something (like patience), but that’s only a temporary exception. God is our permanent shelter from the storm.

– Professor Thomas A. Rohm

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