Psalm 46[a]

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth.[b] A song.

God is our refuge(A) and strength,(B)
    an ever-present(C) help(D) in trouble.(E)
Therefore we will not fear,(F) though the earth give way(G)
    and the mountains fall(H) into the heart of the sea,(I)
though its waters roar(J) and foam(K)
    and the mountains quake(L) with their surging.[c]

There is a river(M) whose streams(N) make glad the city of God,(O)
    the holy place where the Most High(P) dwells.(Q)
God is within her,(R) she will not fall;(S)
    God will help(T) her at break of day.
Nations(U) are in uproar,(V) kingdoms(W) fall;
    he lifts his voice,(X) the earth melts.(Y)

The Lord Almighty(Z) is with us;(AA)
    the God of Jacob(AB) is our fortress.(AC)

Come and see what the Lord has done,(AD)
    the desolations(AE) he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars(AF) cease
    to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow(AG) and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields[d] with fire.(AH)
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;(AI)
    I will be exalted(AJ) among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob(AK) is our fortress.(AL)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 46:1 In Hebrew texts 46:1-11 is numbered 46:2-12.
  2. Psalm 46:1 Title: Probably a musical term
  3. Psalm 46:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 7 and 11.
  4. Psalm 46:9 Or chariots

The sons of Korah wrote this special song for the music leader.

The city of God[a]

46 God is a strong place for us,
    where he will keep us safe.
He will always help us
    when troubles come.
So even when the earth shakes,
    we will not be afraid.
And when the mountains fall down
    into the deep sea,
we will still not be afraid.
If the sea makes dangerous waves,
    so that even the mountains shake,
we will never be afraid.
Selah.
There is a river that runs into the city of God,
    and it brings God's blessing to the people there.
That is the holy place
    where the Most High God lives.
God is in that city.
    Nothing can ever destroy it.
When dawn comes, God will be there to help it.
Nations are shouting with anger!
    Kingdoms shake and fall.
God calls in a loud voice,
    and even the earth melts!
The Lord Almighty is there to help us.
    The God of Jacob keeps us safe.
Selah.
Come and see the great things
    that the Lord has done.
He has brought terrible things to the earth!
All over the world, he causes wars to finish.
He destroys the soldiers' bows and spears.
    He burns their shields in a fire.
10 He says, ‘Be still and quiet!
    Understand that I am God.
I rule as king over the nations.
    All the world will say that I am great.’
11 The Lord Almighty is there to help us.
    The God of Jacob keeps us safe.
Selah.

Footnotes

  1. 46:1 The city of Jerusalem is a picture of God's people. God can keep his own people safe and make them happy.