Psalm 46:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

NIV: though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

NASB: Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah

CSB: though its water roars and foams and the mountains quake with its turmoil. Selah

NLT: Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Interlude

KJV: Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

NKJV: Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

Continuing a theme of assurance, this verse comes from the people of Israel who celebrate God as their shelter and support. The prior verse referred to two of nature's most surprising and damaging disasters: earthquakes and landslides. Even in the face of those, however, God's people can trust in His goodness (Psalm 46:1–2).

Here, the psalm evokes the chaotic nature of the sea. Not even the roaring, foaming, and swelling of the ocean can cause God's people to fear. The otherwise-immovable mountains may tremble when the sea erupts, but God's people need not shake in fear. In practice, of course, fear in the face of danger is a normal human reaction (Matthew 8:23–25). Reminders such as this are indications of how we can, or should, respond, not necessarily how we always will react.

This imagery of chaos may apply to international disturbances. In His Olivet Discourse, Jesus predicted that in the end times "nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom" (Matthew 24:7). Although horrific international confrontation will take place in the tribulation period, believers today are bombarded with news about international strife, military threats from rogue nations, and the buildup of nuclear arms. Nevertheless, we need not tremble. Our God knows all about the nations' unrest and threats (Ecclesiastes 12:14). He offers peace of heart and mind to those who trust Him. Someday our heavenly Father will hold the rebellious nations in derision and will speak to them in His wrath (Psalm 2:4–5).

The term se'lāh is not fully understood, but it seems to be either a musical reference or something like the exclamation "amen!"

Psalm 46:1–7 introduces the theme of trust in God. He is Israel's protector, and He is present whenever the people of Israel need Him. The people may trust in Him regardless of what happens. Neither natural calamities nor the threat of nations can shake God's people, because they have an abundant supply of the presence of the Lord of hosts, the God of Jacob.

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.