Psalm 46:5

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 46:5

God is in the midst of her - God will not abandon them that trust in him; he will maintain his own cause; and, if his Church should at any time be attacked, he will help her and that right early - with the utmost speed. As soon as the onset is made, God is there to resist. As by the day-break the shadows and darkness are dissipated; so by the bright rising of Jehovah, the darkness of adversity shall be scattered. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 46:5

Verse 5 5.God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved. The Psalmist now shows that the great security of the Church consists in this, that God dwells in the midst of her; for the verb which we translate, shall be moved, is of the feminine gender, nor can it be referred to God, as if it were designed to teach that God is immovable. The sentence must be explained in this way, The holy city shall not be moved or shaken, because God dwells there, and is always ready to help her. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 46:1-11

The metrical construction is very simple and regular, if, with several eminent critics, we restore, after Psalms 46:3 , the refrain of Psalms 46:7 and Psalms 46:11 , which seems to have accidentally fallen out. We then have three stanzas of four verses each, each stanza terminating with the same refrain. "Upon Alamoth" in the title is best explained as a musical direction—to be sung upon high notes, with voices shrill and clear, like those of "virgins." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 46:1-11

Our Refuge. The whole spirit of this noble psalm is condensed in this one phrase—"God is our Refuge." The Hebrew, as the margin of our Bibles shows, has a different word in Psalms 46:7 , Psalms 46:11 from Psalms 46:1 , signifying "a high place" (Revised Version, "or a high tower")—a retreat beyond reach of foes. The word in Psalms 46:1 means "somewhere [or, 'some one'] to trust in. " These two thoughts — trust and safety —are well expressed in our word " Refuge. " ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 46:1-11

The saint's stronghold. This psalm is one of those "for the sons of Korah," on which see our remarks on Psalms 42:1-11 . It is "a song upon Alamoth," which, according to Furst, £ is the proper name of a musical choir. As the word "Alamoth" means "virgins," it is supposed that the song was for soprano voices. We have, however, to deal with the contents of the song itself. It has long been a favourite with the people of God. "This is my psalm," said Luther. To this we owe his "Ein feste... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 46:1-11

Hope for the troubled. Faith in God assures— I. HELP IN TROUBLE . It may be some storm of outward or of inward trial comes, or both may be combined. Enemies may rage without, and sin may rouse tumults and fears within. But "God is our Refuge;" he is always near, always sufficient. The manslayer might fail to reach the place of safety; but God is at our right hand, and it needs but a cry from our hearts to secure his help. The Israelite might perish, though he had his hand on the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 46:1-11

A Divine Refuge and Strength. The ground-thought is, "God is our Refuge and Strength," and it returns with only a slight change of form at the end of the second and third strophes. The strophes are: Psalms 46:1-3 ; Psalms 46:4-7 ; Psalms 46:8-11 . I. GOD 'S RELATION TO US . 1 . A relation of strength. ( Psalms 46:6 , Psalms 46:7 , Psalms 46:9 .) 2 . Of intimate nearness. ( Psalms 46:5 , Psalms 46:7 .) "In the midst of her." "With us." Immanuel. How... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 46:5

God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved. While the world is being turned upside down ( Psalms 46:2 , Psalms 46:3 , Psalms 46:6 ), the Church is unmoved—since "God is in the midst of her." God shall help her , and that right early; literally, at the turning of the morning , or, in other words, "at the break of day" (comp. Psalms 30:6 ; Psalms 49:14 ; Isaiah 17:14 ). The deliverance of Israel from Sennacherib came, it is to be remembered, when it was discovered... read more

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