Over the last week, I’ve been talking to a lot of people about Psalm 46, and it seems as though the comforting words found within it are bringing encouragement to many folks. Here’s the NAB translation:
God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress.
The LORD of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob. Selah
Thus we do not fear, though earth be shaken and mountains quake to the depths of the sea,
Though its waters rage and foam and mountains totter at its surging. The LORD of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob. Selah
Streams of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High.
God is in its midst; it shall not be shaken; God will help it at break of day.
Though nations rage and kingdoms totter, God’s voice thunders and the earth trembles.
The LORD of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob. Selah
Come and see the works of the LORD, who has done fearsome deeds on earth;
Who stops wars to the ends of the earth, breaks the bow, splinters the spear, and burns the shields with fire;
Who says: “Be still and confess that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.”
The LORD of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob. Selah
As I wrote in an earlier post, I think this psalm has important relevance for us right now. Nearly everyone I know is facing some type of struggle. A few are minor, but others are major and life changing. The word epic comes to mind. Anyone trying to overcome these difficulties in isolation is, I believe, almost sure to fail. The Psalmist writes, not about me, but rather about our and us. No doubt about it. We are all in this together, and it’s time to realize how little we can accomplish by ourselves. Together, and with God’s help and presence, we will do great things. We have nothing to fear.
