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Psalm 46

God’s Defense of His City and People

To the leader. Of the Korahites. According to Alamoth. A Song.

God is our refuge and strength,
    a very present[a] help in trouble.(A)
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
    though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea,(B)
though its waters roar and foam,
    though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah(C)

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy habitation of the Most High.(D)
God is in the midst of the city;[b] it shall not be moved;
    God will help it when the morning dawns.(E)
The nations are in an uproar; the kingdoms totter;
    he utters his voice; the earth melts.(F)

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Footnotes

  1. 46.1 Or well proved
  2. 46.5 Heb of it

Psalm 46

For the worship leader. A song of the sons of Korah, a song for sopranos.[a]

This song is attributed to the sons of Korah. It praises God for His strength and protection and for Jerusalem and its temple where God uniquely dwells. It invites the world to witness a future when wars and striving will cease and all the nations know and worship the one True God.

God is our shelter and our strength.
    When troubles seem near, God is nearer, and He’s ready to help.
So why run and hide?
No fear, no pacing, no biting fingernails.
    When the earth spins out of control, we are sure and fearless.
    When mountains crumble and the waters run wild, we are sure and fearless.
Even in heavy winds and huge waves,
    or as mountains shake, we are sure and fearless.

[pause][b]

A pure stream flows—never to be cut off—
    bringing joy to the city where God makes His home,
    the sacred site where the Most High chooses to live.
The True God never sleeps and always resides in the city of joy;
    He makes it unstoppable, unshakable.
    When it awakes at dawn, the True God has already been at work.
Trouble is on the horizon for the outside nations, not long until kingdoms will fall;
    God’s voice thunders and the earth shakes.

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Footnotes

  1. 46:title Hebrew, alamoth, meaning is uncertain, perhaps “young women.”
  2. 46:3 Literally, selah, likely a musical direction from a Hebrew root meaning “to lift up”