Hello, my friend. Right off I say that it is a thrill to be reading PSALM 46, which was Martin Luther’s favorite chapter in this great collection of Psalms. And I love the statement by Don Wyrtzen, in his book A Musician Looks at the Psalms, regarding this Psalm. “How does one face the possibility of world catastrophe? How does one guard against internal disintegration of the personality in view of pressure to conform to the false standards of society? The answer is found in God alone, not in God plus anything else. When that which seems unchangeable and impregnable falls, God is my stability. He is my refuge–`my shelter and protection from danger.’ He is my strength–’my vigor, mental and moral power, firmness and courage.’ He is my ever-present help in trouble.”
It’s no wonder, then, that this was Martin Luther’s favorite Psalm, facing as he was the overwhelming power, with threats of excommunication, of ecclesiastical authority, coupled even with threats of his death. He mentions how this great Psalm was a refuge, a mighty fortress, as his wonderful reformation hymn goes, “A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; Our help is He amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing. Did we in our own strength confide our striving would be losing, were not the right Man on our side, The Man of God’s own choosing. Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus it is He–Lord Sabaoth His name, from age to age the same, and He must win the battle.”
And not only does this Psalm praise God for His help, but it reminds us in vs. 4, that there is a river whose streams make glad the city of God. And I immediately think of that great verse in John 7:37, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” So it is not only praising God that matters, but it is the wonderful way that, when we praise Him, God can work within us, enabling us to be a strong resource of Grace as well as a recipient of it.
It is exciting to read, in the midst of all the splendor and power this Psalm represents, vs. 10, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” And being still doesn’t only mean being silent, it means to stop trying to solve our problems in our own wisdom. It means that we should stop arguing, complaining, grumbling, and simply be still. It means that I must not only agree with the doctrines of the faith, but that I can know that He is God. When I do that, He’ll be exalted in me, and the whole world will know it.
“Thank you, Lord Jesus, that we with the Psalmist can say, “The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” We thrill to know that you are indeed with us, and we find refuge in your presence and your love. Bless my friend who is alongside, and bless those in special need who need to rest in you.”
Thank you, partner, for being along. I trust your coming week will be greatly blessed of the Lord, who is your refuge and strength. Cheerio!
These meditations on the Psalms were written by Village Schools of the Bible Founder, Monty Sholund and first published in book form as Monty’s Musings on the Psalms in 2000.
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