What does Psalm 46:2 mean?
Psalm 46 appears to have been written as a song for the entire congregation; it is a worship declaration from the nation of Israel. Based on prior experience with God's goodness (Psalm 46:1), the people resolve not to fear anything. God is their shelter, their power, and their well-proven advocate. Symbolically, the verse refers to some of the more common—and frightening—natural disasters. Both earthquakes and landslides involve the earth itself seeming to become unstable. Their results are catastrophic, and naturally cause fear. And yet, even in the face of those, God's people resolve to be faithful.The language in this verse may symbolize the commotions and change that occur in nations. The nations rise and fall, but God remains the same. He declares in Malachi 3:6: "I the LORD do not change"; and Hebrews 13:8 describes Jesus Christ as "the same yesterday and today and forever." We all change as we grow older, and the political situation at home and abroad may change for the worse, but we do not need to fear. Our God never changes. We may not be able to count on good health or money in the bank or investments or friends, but we can always count on God.
Jesus taught His followers not to worry about material goods or food or drink but to put their confidence in God. He said, "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32).