Psalm 46

A Psalm of Praise

Psalms, Volume 1 The Heading (46:0)

a probable song tune (ʿal ʿalamot)3 and concludes with the general genre designation šir4 (“song”).

Psalms, Volume 1 Original Meaning

THIS IS A psalm of radical trust in the face of overwhelming threat. While the specific cause of threat is never clarified, it does seem to have to do with the uproar of pagan nations

One clear piece of earlier editing is apparent within Psalms 42–83, commonly known as the Elohistic Psalter. This appellation derives from the fact that, uniquely within the Psalter, the word Elohim (English Bibles: ‘God’) occurs here far more frequently than the name Yahweh (English Bibles: ‘the Lord’).

Ps 46:1-3 Section 1

Ps 46:4-7 Section 2

Ps 46:8-11 Section 3

Psalm 46 was one of Martin Luther’s favorite Psalms. in his troubled times, Martin Luther Luther would say, “Come, let us sing the 46th psalm and let them do their worst.” It was this psalm that inspired the great Reformation Hymn A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.

Psalms, Volume 1 Trusting Yahweh (46:8–11)

Yahweh is indeed the refuge, strength, and fortress of the faithful, who can remain confident in his protective care—even in the face of a crumbling world (46:2–3) or rampant military attack