Psalms 46, 47, 48, are closely connected. They form a trilogy of praise, in which some signal deliverance of Jerusalem from foreign enemies is celebrated. In Psalms 46 the leading idea is the Presence of Jehovah in the midst of His city and people as the ground of their confidence: in Psalms 47 it i... [ Continue Reading ]
The prayer of Isaiah 33:2, "Be thou their arm every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble," has been answered. In the extremity of their distress, God has proved Himself the refuge and strength of His people. He has verified the prophecies of Isaiah, who bade them trust in Him alone, an... [ Continue Reading ]
Secure under His protection God's people have nothing to fear, even though the solid earth were convulsed, and rent asunder.... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore will we not fear, though earth should change, And the mountains be moved into the heart of the seas. Cp. Horace's description of the dauntlessness of the just man (_Odes_iii. 3. 7), Si fractus illabatur orbis, Impavidum ferient ruinae. The words are to be understood literally (Isaiah... [ Continue Reading ]
As the text stands this verse must be treated, as in the A.V. and R.V., as a continuation of Psalms 46:2. But the symmetrical structure of the Ps., resembling that of Psalms 42-43, makes it probable that the refrain (Psalms 46:7_; Psalms 46:11_) has been lost. If it is restored, we may render: Let... [ Continue Reading ]
In contrast to the tumultuous sea threatening to engulf the solid mountain, is the river, _the streams whereof_make glad _the city of God_. The gently flowing river, fertilising all the land over which it is distributed in channels and rivulets, is an emblem of Jehovah's Presence, blessing and gladd... [ Continue Reading ]
The Presence of God the joy and security of His people.... [ Continue Reading ]
_God is in the midst of her_ Cp. Isaiah 12:6; and Micah 3:11, where we learn how this watchword was abused by those who saw in the Presence of God a pledge of protection but no call to holiness. _she shall not be moved_ More stable than the solid mountains (Psalms 46:2): more secure than the kingdo... [ Continue Reading ]
_The heathen raged_ Or, the nations roared; a word commonly used of the tumultuous noise of a multitude or an army (Psalms 83:2; Isaiah 17:12). The same words (_roared … were moved_), which were used in Psalms 46:2 of convulsions of the earth, are applied to commotions among the nations; but the cha... [ Continue Reading ]
The refrain corresponds to Isaiah's watchword _Immanuel_, -God is with us" (Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 8:8; Isaiah 8:10). The name _Jehovah_is retained (or has been restored) here even in the Elohistic collection in the familiar title _Jehovah of hosts_. This great title _Jehovah Tsebâôth_or -Lord of hosts... [ Continue Reading ]
_Come, behold_ The invitation is addressed to all (Isaiah 33:13), but especially to the nations, who are bidden (Psalms 46:10) to take warning from the sight. They are not merely to "see the works of Jehovah" (Psalms 66:5), but to _behold_them; to gaze upon them with discerning insight. _the Lord_... [ Continue Reading ]
An exhortation to reflect upon this marvellous deliverance and learn its lesson.... [ Continue Reading ]
The destruction of the Assyrians is an earnest of that final abolition of war which Jehovah will one day bring about, destroying the weapons of war, or burning them in a vast pyre upon the battlefield, as Isaiah predicted (Psalms 9:5, R.V.). Cp. Isaiah 2:4 (Micah 4:3); Zechariah 9:10. _the chariot_... [ Continue Reading ]
Jehovah speaks, admonishing the nations to desist from their vain endeavour to destroy His people, and bidding them recognise Him as the true God, who will manifest His absolute supremacy. Cp. Isaiah 33:10; Exodus 14:4; Exodus 14:17-18; Psalms 2:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
The refrain with its triumphant chorus of faith and gratitude forms an appropriate conclusion.... [ Continue Reading ]