Psalms 46 (ASV)

Chapter Text

46:1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

46:2 Therefore will we not fear, though the earth do change, And though the mountains be shaken into the heart of the seas;

46:3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, Though the mountains tremble with the swelling thereof. Selah

46:4 There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.

46:5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God will help her, and that right early.

46:6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved: He uttered his voice, the earth melted.

46:7 Jehovah of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

46:8 Come, behold the works of Jehovah, What desolations he hath made in the earth.

46:9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; He breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; He burneth the chariots in the fire.

46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

46:11 Jehovah of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah Psalm 47 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "refuge", "strength", "very", "present", "help", "trouble", "therefore", and "fear". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "refuge" and "strength", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The local ASV text gives this verse as the immediate unit, so "refuge" and "strength" carries the first interpretive weight. In Psalms context, the local focus is worship, trust, the LORD's kingship, and covenant mercy.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "refuge" and "strength" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.