Psalms 46:1

The confidence which the church hath in God. An exhortation to behold it.

To the chief musician, for the sons of Korah: A Song upon Alamoth.

Title. שׁיר עלמות על קרח לבני למנצח lamnatseach libnei korach al alamoth shiir.] This Psalm is thought to have been composed by David upon his conquest over the Philistines and Moabites, 2 Samuel 8:1. The style is lofty, and seems every way worthy of that Royal Author. With great force of expression he compares the powerful fury and terror of his enemies to that of an earthquake, or to the threatening horrors of a tempestuous sea.

The word עלמות Alamoth is translated by some the virgins, and by others things secret: and, accordingly, it is on one hand supposed either to refer to some tune then in common use, or some musical instrument unknown to us, which was peculiarly adapted to the virgins who sung in the choir; 1 Chronicles 15:20.; and, on the other hand, it is thought to refer to the secret and hidden mysteries of the Gospel. See Fenwick on the title of the 9th Psalm. The Chaldee title runs thus: "A hymn of praise for the sons of Korah, in the spirit of prophesy, when their father was hidden from them; nevertheless, they were delivered, and sung this hymn." The Syriac adds, "Taken in its prophetical sense, it alludes to the preaching of the apostles."