Psalms 46

 

לַמְנַצֵּחַ לִבְנֵי־קֹרַח עַל־עֲלָמוֹת שִׁיר׃   46:1

Psal. 46:1   A song for the leader for the sons of Korach on alamoth:

The word alamoth is transliterated from the Hebrew.  Its meaning here is in question, but the prevailing thought is that it refers to instruments with a high pitch (because literally the word means maidens).

לַמְנַצֵּחַ לִבְנֵי־קֹרַח עַל־עֲלָמוֹת שִׁיר׃   46:2

Psal. 46:2   God is Refuge and Strength for us,

                               a Help found easily in troubled times.

עַל־כֵּן לֹא־נִירָא בְּהָמִיר אָרֶץ וּבְמוֹט הָרִים בְּלֵב יַמִּים׃   46:3

Psal. 46:3   Therefore let us not fear because of the changing of the earth,

                               or the dislodging of the mountains into the heart of the seas.

This verse and the next two seem to be describing a devastating earthquake, but I suspect it is a metaphor for, or an example of, whatever calamity may occur.

יֶהֱמוּ יֶחְמְרוּ מֵימָיו יִרְעֲשׁוּ־הָרִים בְּגַאֲוָתוֹ סֶלָה׃   46:4

Psal. 46:4   Its waters may roar, may boil;

                              mountains may shake in its upheaval.            Selah.

נָהָר פְּלָגָיו יְשַׂמְּחוּ עִיר־אֱלֹהִים קְדֹשׁ מִשְׁכְּנֵי עֶלְיוֹן׃   46:5

Psal. 46:5   A river -- its channels shall make glad the city of God,

                              the holiest of the dwelling places of the Most High.

אֱלֹהִים בְּקִרְבָּהּ בַּל־תִּמּוֹט יַעְזְרֶהָ אֱלֹהִים לִפְנוֹת בֹּקֶר׃   46:6

Psal. 46:6   God shall be in its midst,

                              it shall not be moved;

                      God shall help it at the approach of morning.

In other words, whatever terrors the night may present, the Lord will help when the light returns.

הָמוּ גֹויִם מָטוּ מַמְלָכֹות נָתַן בְּקֹולֹו תָּמוּג אָרֶץ׃   46:7

Psal. 46:7   Nations roar, kingdoms shake;

                             He utters with His voice -- the earth must melt.

יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת עִמָּנוּ מִשְׂגָּב־לָנוּ אֱלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב סֶלָה׃   46:8

Psal. 46:8   The Lord of hosts is with us;

                              the God of Jacob is a High Place for us.            Selah.

לְכוּ־חֲזוּ מִפְעֲלוֹת יְהוָה אֲשֶׁר־שָׂם שַׁמּוֹת בָּאָרֶץ׃   46:9

Psal. 46:9   Come! Perceive the works of the Lord,

                             Who makes wastelands throughout the earth,

מַשְׁבִּית מִלְחָמוֹת עַד־קְצֵה הָאָרֶץ קֶשֶׁת יְשַׁבֵּר וְקִצֵּץ חֲנִית עֲגָלוֹת יִשְׂרֹף בָּאֵשׁ׃   46:10

Psal. 46:10   causing wars to cease to the end of the earth.

                              He shall break bow and cut spear in two;

                        He shall burn wagons with fire.

הַרְפּוּ וּדְעוּ כִּי־אָנֹכִי אֱלֹהִים אָרוּם בַּגּוֹיִם אָרוּם בָּאָרֶץ׃   46:11

Psal. 46:11   “Relax, and know that I am God.

                               I will be exalted among the nations,

                        exalted throughout the earth.”

יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת עִמָּנוּ מִשְׂגָּב־לָנוּ אֱלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב סֶלָה׃   46:12

Psal. 46:12   The Lord of hosts is with us.

                              The God of Jacob is a High Place for us.            Selah.

 

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