Psalms 46:1-11 - Homilies By C. Short

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 near God is to us in Christ!

3 . Of parental tenderness. "The God of Jacob is our Refuge." Christ calls us "little children," denoting how God feels toward us.

II. WHAT WE SHOULD BE IN CONSEQUENCE OF SUCH A RELATION .

1 . Fearless amid the greatest changes. ( Psalms 46:2 , Psalms 46:3 .) But evil men have much to fear from God.

2 . Glad or joyful. ( Psalms 46:4 .) God will help "right early," or "in the morning."

3 . Obedient to the omnipotent God. "Be still" is equivalent to "know what I am, and cease from wars against my people." "He breaketh the bow of the strongest, and cutteth the spear in sunder; be burneth the chariot in the fire."—S.