Psalms 46:7

The refrain corresponds to Isaiah's watchword Immanuel, -God is with us" (Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 8:8; Isaiah 8:10). The name Jehovahis retained (or has been restored) here even in the Elohistic collection in the familiar title Jehovah of hosts. This great title Jehovah Tsebâôthor -Lord of hosts" was characteristic of the regal and prophetic period. Originally it may have designated Jehovah as "the God of the armies of Israel" (1 Samuel 17:45), Who went forth with His people's hosts to battle (Psalms 44:9; Psalms 60:10). But as the phrase "host of heaven" was used for the celestial bodies (Genesis 2:1), and celestial beings (1 Kings 22:19), the meaning of the title was extended to designate Jehovah as the ruler of the heavenly powers, the supreme Sovereign of the universe. Hence one of the renderings of it in the LXX is Κύριος παντοκράτωρ, Lord Almighty, or rather, Lord All-Sovereign. See add. note on 1 Sam., p. 235. The title is a favourite one with Isaiah, and its use here is significant. He whose command all the hosts of heaven obey is Israel's ally. Cp. 2 Kings 6:16 ff.

the God of Jacob A title suggesting the thought of Jehovah's providential care for the great ancestor of the nation, a thought upon which Hosea dwells (Psalms 12:2 ff.).

our refuge Or, our high fortress:the same word as that in Psalms 9:9; Psalms 18:2; Psalms 48:3; Isaiah 33:16. Cp. the use of the cognate verb in Psalms 20:1. "The Name of the God of Jacob set thee up on high."