Psalm 46 – Ever-Present Help
Psalm 46 – ever-present help, speaks of a God we can trust to be our refuge and protector. What does this have to say to someone who has never had a safe refuge in their life? To children growing up in war-torn areas of the world or who are not safe in their own homes? And what of the Jewish people who have known so much destruction of life throughout the centuries?
Psalm 46
In Psalm 46 – ever-present help, the psalmist describes God as a refuge and strength. Because of this we don’t need to fear even when in dire situations, such as earthquakes or storms at sea.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” (1-3)
God is our fortress, the psalmist repeats:
“The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” (7, 11)
God ends wars:
“He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. God breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.” (9)
God dwells in God’s holy city. This city will not fall. When nations fall, the earth melts at God’s voice. All creation is subject to our God.
“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.” (4-6)
The psalmist encourages all to rest in confident trust in God.
“He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (10)
Jewish Interpretations
The book of Psalms holds an important place in the Jewish Torah. Because of this and my questions in regards to the suffering of the Jews, I sought a Jewish commentary on this psalm. My search led me to this commentary: Microsoft Word – jbq_411_psalm46folger.doc (jewishbible.org)
The author, Arie Folger, looks at the psalm in a Messianic context, a historical context, and a metaphorical context. He concludes with a synthesis of all three.
“He (Hakham) sees the psalm as reflecting both the historical past (Ibn Ezra’s and, to a lesser extent, Malbim’s view) and the future Final Redemption (the view of Rashi and Radak). Hakham thus shows that all the classical commentaries mentioned are correct in a way, as the psalm was written in a manner evoking all their interpretations, and probably intentionally so.”
He ends with a description of Jerusalem invincible:
“A simple reading of the psalm suggests that the psalmist’s confidence, his lack of fear in the face of possible disaster, his great trust in God – all stem from the belief that God dwells in Jerusalem and won’t let His city fall. The obvious problem for post-exilic Jews was that Jerusalem did fall… This problem, however, is solved by positing that the City of God which is saved in the psalm is not the historical Jerusalem, but the Jerusalem of the end of days. Only then, through the dawn of the Messianic era, will Jerusalem remain under solid Divine protection.”
The gist of this is that the psalm speaks of a future, messianic time. We don’t fear because we know that in the end, God’s got this.
Psalm 46 – Ever-present Help
I don’t know about you, but I could use something more tangible than a promise for a better world in the next life. Sure, it helps to believe in the New Jerusalem, that this life isn’t all there is, but I’m right here in the thick of this life. I want something to help me in the here and now.
As I look at the history of the world, I am not encouraged. Terrible acts have been allowed to happen to good people, Auschwitz, pogroms against the Jewish people, continued hatred of Jews by some. Knowing the story of Job helps, but is that enough?
As I look at my own life, I am comforted by remembering the ways in which God has helped me and guided my path. The choices made and not made because I did not believe God was in a particular choice; the many challenges I have faced throughout my life. God has been an ever-present help in my personal life. Is that enough?
Personal versus World
How do I reconcile situations throughout history with a God who is an ever-present help? Situations where good people suffered through no fault of their own. How do I reconcile current situations of violence and abuse. Psalm 46 – ever-present help, reminds us – God didn’t promise us that life would be easy. God did promise that he would always be with us.
On a personal level, I get this. On a worldwide and historical level, I struggle.
In Mark the apostles James and John demand of Jesus: “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” (Mark 10:35) The ultimate demand of children. They want their parents to do what they want them to do. In response Jesus tells them they will drink from the cup from which he drinks, the cup of suffering.
In the same way, childishly we make demands of Jesus. Like good parents everywhere, Jesus doesn’t cave in to the apostle’s demands. We aren’t guaranteed success or an easy life. If anything, we are promised suffering. But God promises that he will be with us always, a source of ever-present help. We need only be still and recognize our God.
How has God been present in your life?
(For another take on this psalm see, Psalm 46: Be Still and Know – Patricia M Robertson)
This post is part of a series of blog posts on the Psalms. Sign up to follow this blog and receive a free copy of Still Dancing, the second book in my Dancing through Life Series. click here to sign up
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