What is Psalms 46 about?

Answer 1

Psalm 46 (translated below) was composed by the sons of Korah, the earliest of whom lived in Moses' lifetime, and whose descendants were active during the reign of King David. The Psalm speaks of the war, the peace, and the revelation of God that will be in the end of days.

For the Leader; a song of the sons of Korah, for the alamoth (a music-instrument).

God is our refuge and strength, strongly present in times of trouble.

Therefore will we not fear, though the earth changes and the mountains tumble in the heart of the sea (i.e. tsunami).

Its waters roar and foam; its mountains thunder by His glory.

The streams of a river [will] make glad the city of God, the holy dwelling-place of the Most High.

God is in the midst of her; she shall not fall; God shall help her, at the approach of morning (the redemption).

Nations were in tumult, kingdoms toppled; He uttered His voice and the earth crumbled.

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Come, behold the works of the Lord, who has made desolations in the earth.

He will make wars to cease unto the end of the earth; He will break the bow, and cut the spear asunder; He will burn the chariots in the fire.

Stand quiet, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Who put the Psalms together?

According to tradition, King David gave us the Book of Psalms. Seventy-three of the 150 bear his name, and tradition states that the unattributed ones are also from him (Talmud, Berakhot 9b).Concerning those Psalms that have the names of other authors, tradition teaches that we may thank David for them too (Talmud, Bava Bathra 14b). This is because it was he who recorded them in their permanent form and in a single book. If not for King David, those Psalms would have gone lost.

For some decades, academic scholars have claimed that many psalms were written several centuries after King David. They stated this for theoretical reasons. Recent analysis, however, makes it clear that the language, style, genre and phraseology of the Psalms is much more ancient than had been claimed. (Buttenwieser, Moses: The Psalms, Chronologically Treated with a New Translation. Also: Dahood, Mitchell, Psalms; The Anchor Bible.)

See also the Related Links.

Link: About King David

Link: The purpose of the Psalms

Answer 2

The Psalms were a genre that was developed during and after the Babylonian Exile.

Psalm 46 seems to be a psalm of hope, in uncertain times. The reference, in the future tense, to God helping his city (Jerusalem) and the holy places of his tabernacle suggests that the Jews had not yet returned from Exile, or were just returning.

The people were tired of wars, and verse 9 is a prophecy that there will be no more wars until the end of time.

Answer 3

Another answer from our community:

The Psalm is summed up in the first line:

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