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Psalm 46

A Psalm of praise in times of trouble

1.  God is our shelter and strength, a very present help in trouble.

2.  Because of that, we will not fear, even if the earth were removed, or the mountains were carried into the middle of the sea;

3.  though the waters roar, though the mountains shake.  Selah.

4.  There is a river where the city of God is, the holy place of the dwelling places of the most High.

5.  God is in the midst of her, she (the city) shall not be moved.  God shall help her, and that early (in times of trouble)

6.  The heathen were full of anger, the kingdoms were moved.  He spoke, and the earth melted.

7.  The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our shelter.

8.  Come, look at the works of the LORD, what destructions he has made in the earth.

9.  He makes wars to stop to the end of the earth....

10. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be lifted up and honoured among the heathen..  I will be lifted up and honoured in the earth.

11.  The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our shelter.  Selah.

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In verses one to three,  praise is given to God, our shelter, protection and strength, our help in times of trouble. Because of God, we do not have to fear anything..  not wars, not natural disasters, because He is in control..  Selah is a word used in the Psalms that means "Pause" and think about what was just spoken.

The Psalmist speaks of the river where the city of God is, that being the New Jerusalem which is in the heavens right now..  God is in this city and nothing shall happen to her.

verse 6 speaks of heathen, these are unbelieving people, and people who oppose the things of the Lord. But God is with us (believers) and he is our shelter..  the Psalmist speaks of the God of Jacob..  but we know that this is our Lord..

The Psalmist says we are to look at the destructions the Lord has made where heathen oppose him, such as Sodom and Gomorrah that were destroyed, and the flood of Noah's time when the earth was filled with violence and evil.

The Lord is in control of even wars.. and will cause them to stop at the time He chooses.

Then we are comforted..  Be still and know that I am God..  even among the heathen, there will come a time when God will be lifted up and honoured among all.

and again in verse 11, we are reminded that God is with us, and is our shelter..  and we are to pause and think about that.  "Selah"

V. Gross/Jan'07