Reflections on Psalm 46
Come, see the works of the Lord
April 08, 2020
- J. Scott DuvallEditorial Note: It’s the middle of March 2020, and the coronavirus is beginning to hit the U.S. in a big way. We’ve never seen anything like this in my lifetime. As followers of Jesus Christ, we know that our hope doesn’t depend on this world, especially when trials ambush us. But we need to be reminded and comforted. We need to hear from the Lord. In such times we often turn to the book of Psalms. Our pastor preached on Psalm 46 when this crisis was beginning and encouraged us to memorize it. I learn best by reading and writing. I hope my reflections will encourage you and those you love. Grace and peace.
Psalm 46:8-9 (Reflection 5)
“8 Come, see the works of the LORD, who brings devastation on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease throughout the earth. He shatters bows and cuts spears to pieces; he sets wagons ablaze.” (CSB)
Greek OT: “8 Come, see the works of the Lord, which he set as wonders upon the earth. 9 Removing wars until the ends of the earth, he will crush bow and shatter weapon, and he will burn shields with fire.” (Lexham English Septuagint)
We are invited to “come and see” the works of the Lord. Look at what the Lord has done and is doing. Never a bad thing. Sometimes we see the Lord’s works made visible in our world, and at other times we see with the eyes of faith his deep work in the hearts of people. The Hebrew Old Testament (OT) invites us to see the Lord’s devastation or judgment on the earth, how God has brought down mighty rulers and kingdoms so that peace may come – “tranquility on the far side of judgment” (Kidner). The Greek OT invites us to see the Lord’s “wonders,” as in “signs and wonders.” In the end, they both come to much the same place. God is a God of peace and one day he will establish “peace on earth to people he favors” (Luke 2:14).
As this pandemic worsens, we will see the best and the worst of humanity. The worst will likely include chaos, lawlessness and vicious conflict. Selfish, fearful people will commit acts of violence against others. Verse 8 reminds us that the Lord will do amazing things, things that bring peace. That is God’s heart. God is at war with the turmoil and violence that turn valuable human beings into obstacles and enemies. Verse 9 explains.
God will one day defeat all his enemies and destroy their weapons: bows, spears and wagons (or, probably better here, “shields”). He will make people stop fighting. Every parent knows how painful it is for your children to fight each other. It’s a dagger to your heart. One day God will bring universal peace on the earth. When God’s kingdom has fully and finally arrived, a kingdom inaugurated by Jesus, then wars will cease (read Isa. 11 or Rev. 21-22).
For those who have a personal relationship with Jesus the Messiah, God begins his deep work of peace now. We have a community of kingdom people. We love them and they love us. We’re seeing now how much we take for granted just getting together as God’s people, just being together much less serving together. We will be together again one day soon. In the meantime, these verses encourage us to model God’s peace now as much as we can. In our every interaction with people, we can model submission to the God of peace and love each other deeply.
Prayer: Father, as the situation worsens, those who don’t know you and the comfort and peace you give, will become even more desperate and selfish and violent. Don’t let this take us by surprise, Lord. Remind us to pray about everything, to bring it all to you. Remind us to be agents of peace wherever we can. Most of all, remind us that one day you will shatter the weapons of warfare, physical and spiritual, and usher in your new creation where the Prince of Peace reigns over all. Amen.
By Dr. J. Scott Duvall, J.C. and Mae Fuller Professor of Biblical Studies. Read more from Dr. Duvall's Psalm 46 series.
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