Psalm 46:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.

NIV: He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.

NASB: He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire.

CSB: He makes wars cease throughout the earth. He shatters bows and cuts spears to pieces; he sets wagons ablaze.

NLT: He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire.

KJV: He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.

NKJV: He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire.

The context of this verse is a celebration of God's protection for Jerusalem and His people of the nation of Israel (Psalm 46:1–7). The meaning is not that God would stop all combat on earth at that time. The imagery of the Lord destroying military equipment and leaving them charred and useless is a symbol of His absolute power. An example of this, which might have inspired this psalm, is the annihilation of 185,000 Assyrian soldiers who attempted to besiege Jerusalem (2 Kings 19:35).

At the same time, a God-ordained end to all war is part of earth's future. Isaiah 2:4 predicts a time when warfare ends and peace prevails. At that time, the Messiah will

"judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore."

Ezekiel 39:9 prophesies: "Then those who dwell in the cities of Israel will go out and make fires of the weapons and burn them, shields and bucklers, bow and arrows, clubs and spears; and they will make fires of them for seven years." Isaiah 9:6 identifies the Messiah as bearing the government on His shoulder during that time of peace. Verse 7 describes His government as one of endless peace. He will rule His kingdom from the throne of David and justice and righteousness will characterize the kingdom.

Psalm 46:8–11 invites worshipers to consider the peace God gives those who trust in Him. He triumphs over those who wage war, and He will be given His proper respect among the peoples of earth. He is with His chosen nation, Israel, as their protector and guardian. This might have been composed in response to one of God's miraculous rescues of Israel, such as when Assyria besieged the city (2 Kings 19:35).

Trust and thanksgiving are the main themes in Psalm 46. It begins with strong praise for God's strength and availability. It continues with the assurance that the nation of Israel need not fear, no matter what happens. Despite how anyone might rage, or strive, the psalm declares that God will one day judge mankind and put a dramatic end to war. The psalm ends as it began by confiding in the Lord of hosts, since He is with His people as their secure, undefeatable Protector. This psalm may have inspired Martin Luther to write the hymn "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God."

This psalm, found in the second division of Psalms (42—72), seems to have been composed for congregational worship. One possible background for this song is God's deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrians. They threatened the city in the time of King Hezekiah (2 Kings 18—19; 2 Chronicles 32; Isaiah 36—37). Scholars speculate Hezekiah may have written this psalm, as well as Psalms 47 and 48.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.