This may sound offensive, but here it goes: Psalm 46 is not for everyone. God is not everyone’s refuge and strength. He is not everyone’s help in times of trouble.
The words of Psalm 46 are for a very specific audience. They provide assurance for only those who are in Christ (Ash, v. 2, p. 568). They only offer comfort to those who know the Lord and declare Him as Savior.
Read this psalm closely. Some of the words are terrifying.
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
Psalm 46:6, ESV
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
“When God…utters his voice in judgment…all who resist his will must melt before him” (Ash, v. 2, p. 566).
Comfort or Terror? How Do You Read Psalm 46?
Psalm 46 invites us to reflect. Is it a source of comfort or a cause for fear? Can you truly be still before Him, or do you tremble in utter terror?
Be still, and know that I am God…
Psalm 46:10a, ESV
We live in a world where little is certain:
- Is the news reporting facts? I’m not sure.
- Is the research I’m reading unbiased? I’m not sure.
- Is this data accurate? I’m not sure.
And yet, Psalm 46 calls us to KNOW God. In a world full of uncertainty, we can be sure of Him.
The Selahs: Pausing to Reflect
This psalm contains three selahs—three pauses for reflection. Each one asks us to reflect on the important question: Who is your God?
- After the first selah, do you see His majesty? Do you see Him as your strength? Do you humble yourself before Him to receive the refuge He offers?
- Or…after the second selah, do you get caught up in the raging nations, swept away by the turmoil of the world?
- I pray that by the final selah, you know Him as Lord. He is to be exalted. Even as he delivers justice, I pray you can find that stillness that lets you praise Him, exalt Him, know Him.
An Invitation to Know Him
This God, the Most High, invites us to come and behold Him. He sees you (and me) in our sin and our failures. Yet, He extends the most amazing gift: His Son.
He offers comfort, refuge, and peace. He only asks that we humble ourselves and receive Him.
When we know Him, we find peace.
Have a hard day at work? It’ll be OK. Not because the work will get easier (though it may), but because we serve a God who is sovereign over the hard.
Struggling with a broken relationship? It’ll be OK. Not because the relationship will be mended (thought it may be), but because He is the ultimate redeemer. He can redeem all things for his glory.
Have you realized who this God is? When you do, circumstances will no longer determine your heart posture. You will find what it means to be still. You will find the refuge and comfort that is bigger than any earthly struggle.
Today is the day to answer the question: who is your God?
Questions for Journaling
As you consider today’s blog, I invite you to grab your journal and consider the following questions.
What is your heart posture? Do you have a heart of humility and repentance?
Do you know the God defined by scripture, or do you try to define God by your own experiences and circumstances?
How does understanding scripture deepen your relationship with your Creator?
References
Ash, Christopher, The Psalms: A Christ-Centered Commentary, (Volume 2, Psalms 1–50). Crossway, 2024.
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