Psalm 46:9

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 46:9

He maketh wars to cease unto the ends of the earth ,.... As at the birth of Christ, the Prince of peace, in the times of Augustus Caesar, when there was a general peace in the world, though it did not last long; and in the times of Constantine, signified by silence in heaven for half an hour, Revelation 8:1 ; when for a while there was a cessation from wars and persecution; and as will be in the latter day, and which is here chiefly designed; when nations shall learn war no more, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 46:9

He maketh wars to cease - By the death of Cambyses, and setting Darius, son of Hystaspes, upon the Persian throne, he has tranquillized the whole empire. That same God who for our unfaithfulness has delivered us into the hands of our enemies, and subjected us to a long and grievous captivity and affliction, has now turned our captivity, and raised us up the most powerful friends and protectors in the very place in which we have been enduring so great a fight of afflictions. He breaketh... 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 46:9

He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth (comp. Isaiah 2:4 ; Isaiah 11:9 ; Isaiah 65:25 ). Each great deliverance effected by God is followed naturally by a term of peace (comp. 3:11 , 3:30 ; 5:31 ; 8:28 ; "and the land had rest twenty, forty, eighty years"), each such term being typical of the final peace, when God shall have put down all enemies under Messiah's feet. He breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder ; i.e. he destroys all offensive weapons, so... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 46:9

War. "He maketh wars to cease." If we were asked to give in one short word the most prevailing character, the most striking feature, of human history—the history of all nations, civilized or savage, ancient or modern—we must reply, "War." If we were asked—What has been the severest scourge under which human life and happiness have suffered? we must again say, "War." If we were asked to furnish in one word the proof that human nature is sinful, q.d. that its passions are not bridled by... read more

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