Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 46:6-11

These verses give glory to God both as King of nations and as King of saints. I. As King of nations, ruling the world by his power and providence, and overruling all the affairs of the children of men to his own glory; he does according to his will among the inhabitants of the earth, and none may say, What doest thou? 1. He checks the rage and breaks the power of the nations that oppose him and his interests in the world (Ps. 46:6): The heathen raged at David's coming to the throne, and at the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 46:6

The Heathen raged ,.... As they did at Christ's first coming, against him, his Gospel, and people; and which continued during the three first centuries; and then the Pagan kingdoms belonging to the Roman empire were removed; since then another sort of Heathens, the Papists, have raged, in violent persecutions and bloodshed of the saints and martyrs of Jesus, and will rage again, about and at the downfall of Babylon; see Revelation 11:18 ; the kingdoms were moved ; either from their... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 46:6

The heathen raged - There had been terrible wars on all hands, and mighty states were crushed, when the poor Jews were, by the especial favor of God, kept in peace and safety. Kingdoms were moved while they were preserved. He uttered his voice - These words seem to refer to thunder, lightning, and earthquake. The expressions, however, may be figurative, and refer to the wars and desolations already mentioned. God gave the command; and one empire was cast down, and another was raised up. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 46:6

Verse 6 6The peoples raged Since the Church of God is never without enemies, and these very powerful, and such as consequently fight against her with cruel and unbridled fury, the prophet now confirms from experience the doctrine which he had advanced concerning the impregnable character of the divine protection. He then deduces from it this general ground of consolation, That it belongs continually to God to restrain and quell all commotions, and that his arm is strong enough to break all 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 46:6

The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted (comp. Psalms 46:2 and Psalms 46:3 ). The past tenses arc probably the "preterite of prophetic certainty." The writer foresees and announces the destruction of Israel's enemies. read more

Group of Brands