God Our Refuge
Notes
Transcript
Handout
To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. 1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. 4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. 6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: He uttered his voice, the earth melted. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. 8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, What desolations he hath made in the earth. 9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; He breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; He burneth the chariot in the fire. 10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Introduction:
Introduction:
Life has a way of shaking us to our core. It could be the sudden loss of a loved one, a diagnosis you never saw coming, an unexpected job loss, or simply watching the evening news. Earthquakes, hurricanes, wars, political unrest—our hearts cry out for stability in a world that seems to be spinning out of control.
Psalm 46 was written for days like that. Most scholars believe it was composed during a time of national crisis for Israel—possibly when King Hezekiah faced the Assyrian army surrounding Jerusalem (2 Kings 18–19). The enemy was at the gate, the people were fearful, and destruction seemed inevitable. Yet, instead of panic, the people sang:
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
This psalm is not a quiet reflection written on a peaceful summer afternoon—it is a battle song sung while the city walls trembled. The writer declares that even if “the earth be removed” and “the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea,” God is still our safe place.
It reminds me of a famous photograph taken off the coast of Brittany, France.
In it, a massive lighthouse stands in the midst of a violent Atlantic storm. Towering waves slam against it, completely engulfing its base in white spray. And yet, the lighthouse stands unmoved—firm, steady, unshaken. The storm is real, the waves are fierce, but the lighthouse is secure. That’s the image Psalm 46 paints for us: God is the unshakable fortress in the midst of life’s crashing storms.
The German reformer Martin Luther knew the weight of these words. During times of deep despair and opposition, he would turn to his friend Philip Melanchthon and say, “Come, Philip, let us sing the 46th Psalm.” From that trust came his hymn A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.
Psalm 46 shouts to us across the centuries: No matter how bad it looks, no matter how loud the chaos, no matter how fierce the battle, God is still in control, and His presence is our greatest security.
Tran. Sent: This Psalm expounds on the examples of God our refuge...
I. The Shelter in the Storm (vv. 1–3)
I. The Shelter in the Storm (vv. 1–3)
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
The title of this psalm is To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. A Song for Alamoth.
The sons of Korah were descendants of Korah (a Levite who rebelled against Moses in Numbers 16). Though Korah was judged, his descendants survived (Numbers 26:11) and became temple musicians and doorkeepers (1 Chronicles 6:31–38; 9:19). They authored or performed several psalms that focus heavily on God’s presence, refuge, and worship.
These sons of Korah were Levites, from the family of Kohath. By David’s time it seems they served in the musical aspect of the temple worship (2 Chronicles 20:19
19 And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with a loud voice on high.
The term Alamoth likely refers to a musical direction:
Literally, it means “maidens” or “young women.”
Most scholars believe it refers to a high-pitched, soprano range performance—either sung by women or played on high-pitched instruments like flutes.
It may also indicate a lighter, joyful, or delicate musical style.
A high, bright tone in the music would have conveyed hope and victory, not despair. This means Psalm 46 wasn’t meant to be sung as a dirge in the face of disaster—it was intended as a triumphant declaration: “God is our refuge and strength!” Even while acknowledging the reality of chaos, the Alamoth style kept the focus on God’s unshakable protection.
“Comment on this great song of confidence seems almost unnecessary so powerfully has it taken hold on the heart of humanity, and so perfectly does it set forth the experience of trusting souls in all ages and tumultuous times.” (G. Campbell Morgan)
“Luther, when in greatest distress, was wont to call for this psalm, saying, Let us sing the forty-sixth psalm in concert; and then let the devil do his worst.” (John Trapp)
This psalm was written for the chief musician by the sons of Korah, to be sung in a high, bright style called Alamoth—a sound that would rise above the noise, just as God’s truth rises above the chaos of our lives.
A. A Safe Harbor from the Waves – (Vs. 1)
A. A Safe Harbor from the Waves – (Vs. 1)
Many of the other psalms begin with a description of the psalmist’s crisis. In Psalm 46, the poet begins with God’s provision. He looked to God for help in difficult times and found it. He could say these things by experience:
That God Himself was a place of refuge, as the cities of refuge protected the fugitive in Israel. refuge
That God Himself was strength for His people, being strong for them and in them. strength
That God alone was his refuge and strength, not God and something or someone else. refuge and strength
That God Himself was their help — not from a distance, but a. help very present help
“A very present help...” - (Vs. 1b)
“The secret of the confidence is the consciousness of the nearness of God.” - G. Campbell Morgan
God is for us as a place to which we may flee for safety; a source of strength to us in danger. The idea here is, that the people of God, in time of danger, may find him to be what such a place of refuge would be.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
His presence is always near (Deut. 31:6; Heb. 13:5). Like running into the lighthouse during the worst of the storm, we find safety in Him.
B. An Anchor Against the Drift – (Vs. 2-3)
The psalmist applied the logic of faith. If God is a real refuge, strength, and help to His people, then there is no logical reason to fear — even in the biggest crisis (though the earth be removed).
“Its robust, defiant tone suggests that it was composed at a time of crisis, which makes the confession of faith doubly impressive.” Derek Kidner
Even if the mountains crumble and seas roar, His power holds us steady (Mal. 3:6
6 For I am the Lord, I change not; Therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
C. A Calm in the Chaos – (Vs. 3b Selah)
The psalmist considered the most frightening, humbling natural phenomenon imaginable. He then made the reasoned estimation that God was greater than them all, and fear before these in some way robbed God of some of His honor. When the most stable becomes unstable there should be “no fear” because of the transcendent stability of God.
Selah;
While the exact meaning is uncertain, most scholars agree it is a musical or liturgical pause used in the Psalms. It likely served two purposes:
Musical Pause – A break for instruments to play or for the choir to lift the volume.
Meditative Pause – A moment for the congregation to reflect deeply on what was just sung.
Selah: The greatness of thought in this psalm was and is worthy of pause and careful thought. This pause invites the listener to stop and think: Even in nature’s worst upheavals, God is still our refuge.
“It were well if all of us could say, ‘Selah,’ under tempestuous trials, but alas! too often we speak in our haste, lay our trembling hands bewildered among the strings, strike the lyre with a rude crash, and mar the melody of our life-song.” - C.H. Spurgeon
It would do us all well to pause in the peace of God. Peace that surpasses understanding guards our hearts.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
When life’s waves hit hardest, you don’t need to fear—you have a refuge stronger than the storm.
II. The Supply in the Storm (vv. 4–7)
II. The Supply in the Storm (vv. 4–7)
The psalmist pictured the abundant, constant provision of a river for Jerusalem. The image is significant because Jerusalem does not in fact have such a river, only a few small streams.
Yet the prophets anticipated the day when a mighty river would flow from the temple itself (Ezekiel 47:12, Revelation 22:1
1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
The future reality is already in the mind of the psalmist...
A. The Lifeline that Flows Within – (Vs. 4)
These words about refreshing waters contrast with those about the threatening torrents of vs. 3.
The river alludes to the graces and consolations of the Holy Spirit, which flow through every part of the church, and through God’s sacred ordinances, gladdening the heart of every believer.
Just as ships are resupplied at port, God’s Spirit refreshes and sustains us (John 7:38
38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
B. The Captain Who Stays Onboard – (Vs. 5-6)
His presence secures us when the waves rise
10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: Be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; Yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
All the blessing and provision of the city of God comes because of God’s presence. Because of His presence she is more firmly set than the earth which may be moved (Psalm 46:2). The city is so established because God shall help her.
“The promise she shall not be moved gains special force from the repetition of the same word, moved, used of the mountains and of the kingdoms.” Derek Kidner
Read (Vs. 6)
As in Psalm 2, God pays no regard to the rage of the nations. At His mere voice the earth melts away. No enemies however strong, will harm her for the Lord of armies is the stronghold of his people.
C. The Commander Who Defends Us – (Vs. 7)
The idea behind the title Yahweh Saboath is that He is the commander of armies, both the army of His people and the armies of heaven. The title emphasizes His glory and might, connecting it with the idea that this glorious God is with His people.
“The LORD of hosts is with us.” He commands heaven’s armies in our defense.
“Is with us...” Is the same phrase that is employed in Isaiah 7:14
14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, And shall call his name Immanuel.
Read (Vs. 7b)
The title God of Jacob not only emphasizes the aspect of covenant, but also grace — in that Jacob was a rather shabby character, not known for his great holiness. This gracious and merciful God is an open refuge for His people.
“When we say ‘The God of Jacob,’ we reach back into the past and lay hold of the Helper of the men of old as ours.” - Alexander Maclaren
Illustration: Even in a storm, a lighthouse keeper has the supplies to endure—God provides everything we need to remain steadfast.
III. The Stillness in the Storm (vv. 8–11)
III. The Stillness in the Storm (vv. 8–11)
If the dominant idea in the first section of the psalm was God as a refuge and help, here the emphasis shifts to a consideration of the glory of God.
God is mighty to make desolations or to enforce peace, making wars to cease. The idea may be that God’s people are invited to look over the field of battle after God has completely routed His enemies, and their instruments of war are scattered, broken, and burning...
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
A. Drop the Anchor of Trust – (Vs. 10a)
The idea is not that the faithful reader should stop activity and stand in one place. The sense is more that argument and opposition should stop and be still. This is done in recognition of God’s glory and greatness, as mentioned in the previous verse.
The idea is something like this: “As you know the glory and greatness of God, stop your mouth from arguing with Him or opposing Him. Simply surrender.”
“In this setting, ‘be still and know that I am God’ is not advice to us to lead a contemplative life, however important that may be.... It means rather, ‘Lay down your arms. Surrender, and acknowledge that I am the one and only victorious God.’” James Montgomery Boice
B. Rest in the Captain’s Command – (Vs. 10b)
He will be exalted; the seas obey Him (Mark 4:39–41
39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
C. Stand on the Rock that Cannot Be Moved – (Vs. 11)
“On the day he died John Wesley had already nearly lost his voice and could be understood only with difficulty. But at the last with all his strength he could summon, Wesley suddenly called out, ‘The best of all is, God is with us.’ Then, raising his hand slightly and waving it in triumph, he exclaimed again with thrilling effect, ‘The best of all is, God is with us.’” (Boice)
“If God be for us, who can be against us? With this, through life and in death, let us answer every fear” - Matthew Henry
The psalm begins and ends with the same anchor: “God is our refuge.”
The God of Jacob is our refuge: We leave the psalm with confidence and serenity. This is worthy of reflection, closing with Selah.
Illustration: Just as the lighthouse remains unmoved in the storm, so the believer stands secure when anchored to God.
Conclusion – Safe in the Lighthouse
Conclusion – Safe in the Lighthouse
When the world shakes, God stands. When the waves crash, God holds. When the storm rages, God whispers, “Be still, and know that I am God.”
The safest place is not found in the absence of the storm—but in the presence of the Savior.
