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Reflections on Psalm 46

Though the earth trembles

April 01, 2020 - J. Scott Duvall

Editorial 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 46:2b-3 (Reflection 2)

“2 Therefore we will not be afraid, though the earth trembles and the mountains topple into the depths of the seas, 3 though its water roars and foams and the mountains quake with its turmoil.” (CSB)

I like to be in control. I’ll admit it. But there are some things I simply cannot control no matter how hard I try. I can’t control the weather. I can’t control what other people do. I can’t control the bad things that sometimes happen to those I love. I can’t control viral pandemics. When it hits us that we really cannot control every circumstance, sometimes we start to fear. One dictionary of the Greek language defines “fear” this way: “a state of severe distress, aroused by intense concern for impending pain or danger” (LN). Fear can even come on us when we think about bad things happening, even if they haven’t happened yet or never happen.

The Psalmist says we will not be afraid “though” the world should fall apart. He pictures earthquakes and floods and cataclysmic natural disasters. Things we can’t control. When this happens, and it will happen in this broken world, we don’t need to fear or go into a state of severe distress. In other words, when all hell breaks loose and the world falls apart, we don’t have to freak out!

How can we keep from it? Again, we’re back to the word “therefore” in v. 2 which points back to our God who is for us. He is our place of refuge and our source of strength. Arkansas has its share of tornadoes. After a devastating twister hit our town in 1997, we built a tornado bunker in our house—a place of safety surrounded by concrete and steel. The Psalmist is saying that God is our bunker, our fortress, our strength, our power, our always-present Helper. He’s not going anywhere, and he is always with us. Therefore, we don’t have to let fear overwhelm us and paralyze us.

Martin Luther, one of the leaders of the Protestant Reformation, wrote a hymn in the early 1500s based on these few verses in Psalm 46: “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.” Here are the words:

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;

Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:

For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;

His craft and pow’r are great, and, armed with cruel hate,

On earth is not his equal.

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,

We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us;

The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;

His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,

One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly pow’rs, no thanks to them, abideth;

The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth;

Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;

The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,

His kingdom is forever.

When it looks like the world is falling apart as it does now, God’s powerful presence remains like an “unshakable rock” (F.F. Bruce). He is our safe stronghold. He is the One who will get us through.

Prayer: Lord, we’re thankful that this coronavirus can’t harm you. You are still on your throne. You’re still in control. And you’re always with us no matter what happens. Thank you that you will listen to our every worry and concern. We don’t have to give in to fear. Thank you for being our mighty fortress! Amen.