◀ All Reading Plans / Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary) / Psalm 46 (The God of Jacob is our stronghold); Genesis 45:25—46:7 (God calls Jacob to go to Egypt); Acts 5:33-42 (The apostles are tried and flogged) (New English Translation)

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Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

Daily Bible readings that follow the church liturgical year, with thematically matched Old and New Testament readings.

Duration: 1245 days

Psalm 46

Psalm 46^[a]

For the music director, by the Korahites; according to the alamoth style;^[b] a song.

46 God is our strong refuge;^[c]
he is truly our helper in times of trouble.^[d]
²For this reason we do not fear^[e] when the earth shakes,^[f]
and the mountains tumble into the depths of the sea,^[g]
³when its waves^[h] crash^[i] and foam,
and the mountains shake^[j] before the surging sea.^[k] (Selah)
⁴The river’s channels bring joy to the city of God,^[l]
the special, holy dwelling place of^[m] the Most High.^[n]
⁵God lives within it,^[o] it cannot be moved.^[p]
God rescues it^[q] at the break of dawn.^[r]
⁶Nations are in uproar, kingdoms are overthrown.^[s]
God^[t] gives a shout,^[u] the earth dissolves.^[v]
⁷The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is on our side.^[w]
The God of Jacob^[x] is our stronghold.^[y] (Selah)
⁸Come, Witness the exploits^[z] of the Lord,
who brings devastation to the earth.^[aa]
⁹He brings an end to wars throughout the earth.^[ab]
He shatters^[ac] the bow and breaks^[ad] the spear;
he burns^[ae] the shields with fire.^[af]
¹⁰He says,^[ag] “Stop your striving and recognize^[ah] that I am God.
I will be exalted^[ai] over^[aj] the nations! I will be exalted over^[ak] the earth!”
¹¹The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is on our side!^[al]
The God of Jacob^[am] is our stronghold!^[an] (Selah)

Footnotes

Psalm 46:1 sn Psalm 46. In this so-called “Song Of Zion” God’s people confidently affirm that they are secure because the great warrior-king dwells within Jerusalem and protects it from the nations that cause such chaos in the earth. A refrain (vv. 7, 11) concludes the song’s two major sections.
Psalm 46:1 sn The meaning of the Hebrew term עֲלָמוֹת (‘alamot, alamoth, which means “young women”) is uncertain; perhaps it refers to a particular style of music. Cf. 1 Chr 15:20.
Psalm 46:1 tn Heb “our refuge and strength,” which is probably a hendiadys meaning “our strong refuge” (see Ps 71:7). Another option is to translate, “our refuge and source of strength.”
Psalm 46:1 tn Heb “a helper in times of trouble he is found [to be] greatly.” The perfect verbal form has a generalizing function here. The adverb מְאֹד (m^eʾod, “greatly”) has an emphasizing function.
Psalm 46:2 tn The imperfect is taken in a generalizing sense (cf. NEB) because the situation described in vv. 2-3 is understood as symbolizing typical world conditions. In this case the imperfect draws attention to the typical nature of the response. The covenant community characteristically responds with confidence, not fear. Another option is to take the situation described as purely hypothetical. In this case one might translate, “We will not fear, even though the earth should shake” (cf. NIV, NRSV).
Psalm 46:2 tn The Hiphil infinitival form is normally taken to mean “when [the earth] is altered,” being derived from מוּר (mur, “to change”). In this case the Hiphil would be intransitive, as in Ps 15:4. HALOT 560 s.v. II מור emends the form to a Niphal and derives it from a homonymic root מוּר attested in Arabic with the meaning “shake.”
Psalm 46:2 tn Heb “heart of the seas.” The plural may be used for emphasis, pointing to the deepest sea. Note that the next verse uses a singular pronoun (“its waters,” “its swelling”) in referring back to the plural noun.
Psalm 46:3 tn Heb “its waters.”
Psalm 46:3 tn Or “roar.”
Psalm 46:3 tn The three imperfect verbal forms in v. 3 draw attention to the characteristic nature of the activity described.
Psalm 46:3 tn Heb “at its swelling.” The Hebrew word often means “pride.” If the sea is symbolic of hostile nations, then this may be a case of double entendre. The surging, swelling sea symbolizes the proud, hostile nations. On the surface the psalmist appears to be depicting a major natural catastrophe, perhaps a tidal wave. If so, then the situation would be hypothetical. However, the repetition of the verbs הָמָה (hamah, “crash; roar,” v. 3) and מוֹט (mot, “shake,” v. 2) in v. 6, where nations/kingdoms “roar” and “shake,” suggests that the language of vv. 2-3 is symbolic and depicts the upheaval that characterizes relationships between the nations of the earth. As some nations (symbolized by the surging, chaotic waters) show hostility, others (symbolized by the mountains) come crashing down to destruction. The surging waters are symbolic of chaotic forces in other poetic texts (see, for example, Isa 17:12; Jer 51:42) and mountains can symbolize strong kingdoms (see, for example, Jer 51:25).
Psalm 46:4 tn Heb “A river, its channels cause the city of God to be glad.”sn The city of God is Jerusalem (see Pss 48:1-2; 87:2-3). The river’s “channels” are probably irrigation ditches vital to growing crops. Some relate the imagery to the “waters of Shiloah” (see Isa 8:6), which flowed from the Gihon spring to the pool of Siloam. In Isa 8:6-8 these waters are contrasted with the flood waters symbolizing Assyria. Even if this is the reality behind the imagery, the picture of a river flowing through Jerusalem is idealized and exaggerated. The river and irrigation ditches symbolize the peace and prosperity that the Lord provides for Jerusalem, in contrast to the havoc produced by the turbulent waters (symbolic of the nations) outside the city. Some see here an adaptation of Canaanite (or, more specifically, Jebusite) mythical traditions of rivers/springs flowing from the high god El’s dwelling place. The Songs of Zion do utilize such imagery at times (see Ps 48:2). The image of a river flowing through Zion may have inspired prophetic visions of an eschatological river flowing from the temple (see Ezek 47:1-12; Joel 3:18).
Psalm 46:4 tn Heb “the holy [place] of the dwelling places of.” The adjective “holy” is used here in a substantival manner and placed in construct with the following noun (see GKC 428 §132.c). Origen’s transliterated text assumes the reading קֹדֶשׁ (qodesh, “holiness; holy place”), while the LXX assumes a Piel verbal form קִדֵּשׁ (qiddesh, “makes holy”) and takes the following form as “his dwelling place.” The plural form מִשְׁכְּנֵי (mishk^ene, “dwelling places of”) is probably a plural of degree, emphasizing the special character of this dwelling place. See GKC 397 §124.b. The form stands as an appositional genitive in relation to the preceding construct noun.
Psalm 46:4 sn The divine title “Most High” (עֶלְיוֹן, ʿelyon) pictures God as the exalted ruler of the universe who vindicates the innocent and judges the wicked. See especially Pss 7:17; 9:2; 18:13; 21:7; 47:2.
Psalm 46:5 tn Heb “God [is] within her.” The feminine singular pronoun refers to the city mentioned in v. 4.
Psalm 46:5 tn Another option is to translate the imperfect verbal form as future, “it will not be moved.” Even if one chooses this option, the future tense must be understood in a generalizing sense. The verb מוֹט (mot) is used in v. 2 of the mountains “tumbling” into the seas and in v. 6 of nations being “overthrown.” By way of contrast, Jerusalem, God’s dwelling place, is secure and immune from such turmoil and destruction.
Psalm 46:5 tn Or “helps her.” The imperfect draws attention to the generalizing character of the statement.
Psalm 46:5 tn Heb “at the turning of morning.” (For other uses of the expression see Exod 14:27 and Judg 19:26).sn At the break of dawn. The “morning” is viewed metaphorically as a time of deliverance and vindication after the dark “night” of trouble (see Ps 30:5; Isa 17:14). There may be an allusion here to Exod 14:27 (where the Lord destroyed the Egyptians at the “break of dawn”) or, more likely, to the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrian siege, when the people discovered the dead bodies of the Assyrian army in the morning (Isa 37:36).
Psalm 46:6 tn Heb “nations roar, kingdoms shake.” The Hebrew verb הָמָה (hamah, “roar, be in uproar”) is used in v. 3 of the waves crashing, while the verb מוֹט (mot, “overthrown”) is used in v. 2 of mountains tumbling into the sea (see also v. 5, where the psalm affirms that Jerusalem “cannot be moved”). The repetition of the verbs suggests that the language of vv. 2-3 is symbolic and depicts the upheaval that characterizes relationships between the nations of the earth. As some nations (symbolized by the surging, chaotic waters) show hostility, others (symbolized by the mountains) come crashing down to destruction. The surging waters are symbolic of chaotic forces in other poetic texts (see, for example, Isa 17:12; Jer 51:42) and mountains can symbolize strong kingdoms (see, for example, Jer 51:25).
Psalm 46:6 tn Heb “He.” God is the obvious referent here (see v. 5), and has been specified in the translation for clarity.
Psalm 46:6 tn Heb “offers his voice.” In theophanic texts the phrase refers to God’s thunderous shout which functions as a battle cry (see Pss 18:13; 68:33).
Psalm 46:6 tn Or “melts.” See Amos 9:5. The image depicts the nation’s helplessness before Jerusalem’s defender, who annihilates their armies (see vv. 8-9). The imperfect verbal form emphasizes the characteristic nature of the action described.
Psalm 46:7 tn Heb “the Lord of hosts is with us.” The title “Lord of hosts” here pictures the Lord as a mighty warrior-king who leads armies into battle (see Ps 24:10). The military imagery is further developed in vv. 8-9.
Psalm 46:7 tn That is, Israel, or Judah (see Ps 20:1).
Psalm 46:7 tn Heb “our elevated place” (see Pss 9:9; 18:2).
Psalm 46:8 sn In this context the Lord’s exploits are military in nature (see vv. 8b-9).
Psalm 46:8 tn Heb “who sets desolations in the earth” (see Isa 13:9). The active participle describes God’s characteristic activity as a warrior.
Psalm 46:9 tn Heb “[the] one who causes wars to cease unto the end of the earth.” The participle continues the description begun in v. 8b and indicates that this is the Lord’s characteristic activity. Ironically, he brings peace to the earth by devastating the warlike, hostile nations (vv. 8, 9b).
Psalm 46:9 tn The verb שָׁבַר (shavar, “break”) appears in the Piel here (see Ps 29:5). In the OT it occurs thirty-six times in the Piel, always with multiple objects (the object is either a collective singular or grammatically plural or dual form). The Piel may highlight the repetition of the pluralative action, or it may suggest an intensification of action, indicating repeated action comprising a whole, perhaps with the nuance “break again and again, break in pieces.” Another option is to understand the form as resultative: “make broken” (see IBHS 404-7 §24.3). The imperfect verbal form carries on and emphasizes the generalizing nature of the description.
Psalm 46:9 tn The perfect verbal form with vav (ו) consecutive carries along the generalizing emphasis of the preceding imperfect.
Psalm 46:9 tn The imperfect verbal form carries on and emphasizes the generalizing nature of the description.
Psalm 46:9 tn Heb “wagons he burns with fire.” Some read “chariots” here (cf. NASB), but the Hebrew word refers to wagons or carts, not chariots, elsewhere in the OT. In this context, where military weapons are mentioned, it is better to revocalize the form as עֲגִלוֹת (ʿagilot, “round shields”), a word which occurs only here in the OT, but is attested in later Hebrew and Aramaic.
Psalm 46:10 tn The words “he says” are supplied in the translation for clarification.
Psalm 46:10 tn Heb “do nothing/be quiet (see 1 Sam 15:16) and know.” This statement may be addressed to the hostile nations, indicating they should cease their efforts to destroy God’s people, or to Judah, indicating they should rest secure in God’s protection. Since the psalm is an expression of Judah’s trust and confidence, it is more likely that the words are directed to the nations, who are actively promoting chaos and are in need of a rebuke.
Psalm 46:10 tn Elsewhere in the psalms the verb רוּם (rum, “be exalted”) when used of God, refers to his exalted position as king (Pss 18:46; 99:2; 113:4; 138:6) and/or his self-revelation as king through his mighty deeds of deliverance (Pss 21:13; 57:5, 11).
Psalm 46:10 tn Or “among.”
Psalm 46:10 tn Or “in.”
Psalm 46:11 tn Heb “the Lord of hosts is with us.” The title “Lord of hosts” here pictures the Lord as a mighty warrior-king who leads armies into battle (see Ps 24:10). The military imagery is further developed in vv. 8-9.
Psalm 46:11 tn That is, Israel, or Judah (see Ps 20:1).
Psalm 46:11 tn Heb “our elevated place” (see Pss 9:9; 18:2).

Genesis 45:25-46:7

²⁵So they went up from Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan.^[a] ²⁶They told him, “Joseph is still alive and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt!” Jacob was stunned,^[b] for he did not believe them. ²⁷But when they related to him everything Joseph had said to them,^[c] and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to transport him, their father Jacob’s spirit revived. ²⁸Then Israel said, “Enough! My son Joseph is still alive! I will go and see him before I die.”

The Family of Jacob goes to Egypt

46 So Israel began his journey, taking with him all that he had.^[d] When he came to Beer Sheba^[e] he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. ²God spoke to Israel in a vision during the night^[f] and said, “Jacob, Jacob!” He replied, “Here I am!” ³He said, “I am God,^[g] the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. ⁴I will go down with you to Egypt and I myself will certainly bring you back from there.^[h] Joseph will close your eyes.”^[i]

⁵Then Jacob started out^[j] from Beer Sheba, and the sons of Israel carried their father Jacob, their little children, and their wives in the wagons that Pharaoh had sent along to transport him. ⁶Jacob and all his descendants took their livestock and the possessions they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and they went to Egypt.^[k] ⁷He brought with him to Egypt his sons and grandsons,^[l] his daughters and granddaughters—all his descendants.

Acts 5:33-42

³³Now when they heard this, they became furious^[a] and wanted to execute them.^[b] ³⁴But a Pharisee^[c] whose name was Gamaliel,^[d] a teacher of the law who was respected by all the people, stood up^[e] in the council^[f] and ordered the men to be put outside for a short time. ³⁵Then he said to the council,^[g] “Men of Israel,^[h] pay close attention to^[i] what you are about to do to these men. ³⁶For some time ago^[j] Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and about 400 men joined him. He^[k] was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and nothing came of it.^[l] ³⁷After him Judas the Galilean arose in the days of the census,^[m] and incited people to follow him in revolt.^[n] He too was killed, and all who followed him were scattered. ³⁸So in this case I say to you, stay away from these men and leave them alone, because if this plan or this undertaking originates with people,^[o] it will come to nothing,^[p] ³⁹but if^[q] it is from God, you will not be able to stop them, or you may even be found^[r] fighting against God.” He convinced them,^[s] ⁴⁰and they summoned the apostles and had them beaten.^[t] Then^[u] they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them. ⁴¹So they left the council rejoicing because they had been considered worthy^[v] to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.^[w] ⁴²And every day both in the temple courts^[x] and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the good news^[y] that Jesus was the Christ.^[z]

Footnotes

Acts 5:33 sn The only other use of this verb for anger (furious) is Acts 7:54 after Stephen’s speech.
Acts 5:33 sn Wanted to execute them. The charge would surely be capital insubordination (Exod 22:28).
Acts 5:34 sn A Pharisee was a member of one of the most important and influential religious and political parties of Judaism in the time of Jesus. There were more Pharisees than Sadducees (according to Josephus, Ant. 17.2.4 [17.42] there were more than 6,000 Pharisees at about this time). Pharisees differed with Sadducees on certain doctrines and patterns of behavior. The Pharisees were strict and zealous adherents to the laws of the OT and to numerous additional traditions such as angels and bodily resurrection.
Acts 5:34 sn Gamaliel was a famous Jewish scholar and teacher mentioned here in v. 34 and in Acts 22:3. He had a grandson of the same name and is referred to as “Gamaliel the Elder” to avoid confusion. He is quoted a number of times in the Mishnah, was given the highest possible title for Jewish teachers, Rabba (cf. John 20:16), and was highly regarded in later rabbinic tradition.
Acts 5:34 tn Grk “standing up in the council, ordered.” The participle ἀναστάς (anastas) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
Acts 5:34 tn Or “the Sanhedrin” (the highest legal, legislative, and judicial body among the Jews).
Acts 5:35 tn Grk “said to them”; the referent (the council) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
Acts 5:35 tn Or “Israelite men,” although this is less natural English. The Greek term here is ἀνήρ (anēr), which only exceptionally is used in a generic sense of both males and females. In this context, it is highly unlikely that this is a generic usage, since Gamaliel was addressing the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high council, which would have been exclusively male.
Acts 5:35 tn Or “men, be careful.”
Acts 5:36 tn Grk “For before these days.”
Acts 5:36 tn Grk “who.” The relative pronoun was replaced by the pronoun “he,” and a new sentence was begun in the translation at this point.
Acts 5:36 tn Grk “and they came to nothing.” Gamaliel’s argument is that these two insurrectionists were taken care of by natural events.
Acts 5:37 tn Or “registration.”
Acts 5:37 tn The verb ἀφίστημι (aphistēmi) as a transitive means “cause to revolt” as used in Josephus, Ant. 8.7.5 (8.198), 20.5.2 (20.102); see BDAG 157 s.v. 1.
Acts 5:38 tn Here ἀνθρώπων (anthrōpōn) has been translated as a generic noun (“people”).
Acts 5:38 tn Or “it will be put to an end.”
Acts 5:39 tn This is expressed in a first class condition, in contrast to the condition in v. 38b, which is third class. As such, v. 39 is rhetorically presented as the more likely option.
Acts 5:39 tn According to L&N 39.32, the verb εὑρεθῆτε (heurethēte, an aorist passive subjunctive) may also be translated “find yourselves”—“lest you find yourselves fighting against God.” The Jewish leader Gamaliel is shown contemplating the other possible alternative about what is occurring.
Acts 5:39 tn Grk “They were convinced by him.” This passive construction was converted to an active one (“He convinced them”) in keeping with contemporary English style. The phrase “He convinced them” is traditionally placed in Acts 5:40 by most English translations; the standard Greek critical text (represented by NA²⁸ and UBS⁵) places it at the end of v. 39.
Acts 5:40 sn Had them beaten. The punishment was the “forty lashes minus one,” see also Acts 22:19; 2 Cor 11:24; Mark 13:9. The apostles had disobeyed the religious authorities and took their punishment for their “disobedience” (Deut 25:2-3; m. Makkot 3:10-14). In Acts 4:18 they were warned. Now they are beaten. The hostility is rising as the narrative unfolds.
Acts 5:40 tn The word “Then” is supplied as the beginning of a new sentence in the translation. The construction in Greek has so many clauses (most of them made up of participles) that a continuous English sentence would be very awkward.
Acts 5:41 sn That is, considered worthy by God. They “gloried in their shame” of honoring Jesus with their testimony (Luke 6:22-23; 2 Macc 6:30).
Acts 5:41 sn The name refers to the name of Jesus (cf. 3 John 7).
Acts 5:42 tn Grk “temple.” This is actually a reference to the courts surrounding the temple proper and has been translated accordingly.
Acts 5:42 tn Grk “teaching and evangelizing.” They were still obeying God, not men (see 4:18-20; 5:29).
Acts 5:42 tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”sn See the note on Christ in 2:31.

New English Translation (NET)

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Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

Psalm 46[a]

For the music director, by the Korahites; according to the alamoth style;[b] a song.

Footnotes

The Family of Jacob goes to Egypt

Footnotes

Footnotes

Psalm 46^[a]

For the music director, by the Korahites; according to the alamoth style;^[b] a song.