Psalms 46 · Verse 1

Psalms 46:1

To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psalms 46:1, King James Version

Psalms 46:1 in other translations

BSBFor the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.
WEBFor the Chief Musician. By the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
ASVFor the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah; set to Alamoth. A Song. God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
YLTTo the Overseer. --By sons of Korah. ‘For the Virgins.' --A song. God is to us a refuge and strength, A help in adversities found most surely.
DARBYTo the chief Musician. Of the sons of Korah. On Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, a help in distresses, very readily found.
BBEGod is our harbour and our strength, a very present help in trouble.
WebsterTo the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

What does Psalms 46:1 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

Psa 46:1-11. Upon Alamoth--most probably denotes the treble, or part sung by female voices, the word meaning "virgins"; and which was sung with some appropriately keyed instrument (compare 1Ch 15:19-21; see on Psa 6:1, title). The theme may be stated in Luther's well-known words, "A mighty fortress is our God." The great deliverance (2Ki 19:35; Is 37:36) may have occasioned its composition.

1. refuge--literally, "a place of trust" (Psa 2:12). strength--(Psa 18:2). present help--literally, "a help He has been found exceedingly." trouble--as in Psa 18:7.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Introduction

The confidence of believers in God, Psa 46:1-3. The privileges of the Church, Psa 46:4, Psa 46:5; her enemies, and her helper, Psa 46:6, Psa 46:7. God's judgments tn the earth, Psa 46:8, Psa 46:9. He will be exalted among the heathen, and throughout the earth, Psa 46:10, Psa 46:11. The title in the Hebrew is, "To the chief musician for the sons of Korah; an ode upon Alamoth, or concerning the virgins:" possibly meaning a choir of singing girls. Some translate the word secrets or mysteries; and explain it accordingly. Calmet thinks it was composed by the descendants of Korah, on their return from the Babylonian captivity, when they had once more got peaceably settled in Jerusalem; and that the disturbances to which it refers were those which took place in the Persian empire after the death of Cambyses, when the Magi usurped the government. Many other interpretations and conjectures are given of the occasion of this fine ode. Houbigant thinks it was made on occasion of an earthquake, which he supposes took place on the night that all Sennacherib's army was destroyed, Dr. Kennicott thinks that alamoth means a musical instrument. All I can pretend to say about it is, that it is a very sublime ode; contains much consolation for the Church of God; and was given by the inspiration of his Holy Spirit. Verse 1 God is our refuge - It begins abruptly, but nobly; ye may trust in whom and in what ye please: but God (Elohim) is our refuge and strength. A very present help - A help found to be very powerful and effectual in straits and difficulties. The words are very emphatic: עזרה בצרות נמצא מאד ezerah betsaroth nimtsa meod, "He is found an exceeding, or superlative help in difficulties." Such we have found him, and therefore celebrate his praise.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Psalms 46:1-5
This psalm encourages to hope and trust in God; in his power and providence, and his gracious presence with his church in the worst of times. We may apply it to spiritual enemies, and the encouragement we have that, through Christ, we shall be conquerors over them. He is a Help, a present Help, a Help found, one whom we have found to be so; a Help at hand, one that is always near; we cannot desire a better, nor shall we ever find the like in any creature. Let those be troubled at the troubling of the waters, who build their confidence on a floating foundation; but let not those be alarmed who are led to the Rock, and there find firm footing. Here is joy to the church, even in sorrowful times. The river alludes to the graces and consolations of the Holy Spirit, which flow through every part of the church, and through God's sacred ordinances, gladdening the heart of every believer. It is promised that the church shall not be moved. If God be in our hearts, by his word dwelling richly in us, we shall be established, we shall be helped; let us trust and not be afraid.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Psalms 46:1 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

אֱלֹהִ֣ים'E.lo.HimGodH430
לָ֭נוּLa.nuof us
מַחֲסֶ֣הma.cha.Seh[is] a refugeH4268
וָעֹ֑זva.'Ozand strengthH5797
עֶזְרָ֥ה'ez.Raha helpH5833
בְ֝צָר֗וֹתve.tza.Rotin troublesH6869
נִמְצָ֥אnim.Tza'he is foundH4672
מְאֹֽד\׃me.'OdexceedinglyH3966

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Psalms 46:1

  • Psalms 145:18

    The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

  • Psalms 9:9

    The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

  • Proverbs 18:10

    The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

  • Psalms 62:7-8

    In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

  • Psalms 91:1-9

    He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. …

  • Psalms 142:5

    I cried unto thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.

  • Psalms 46:11

    The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

  • Deuteronomy 4:7

    For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for?

  • Proverbs 14:26

    In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

  • 2 Samuel 22:17-20

    He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters; He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me. They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the Lord was my stay. He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me.

  • Hebrews 6:18

    That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

  • Psalms 46:7

    The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1 The confidence which the church has in God.
8 An exhortation to behold it.

A.M. 3108. B.C. 896. (Title.) for. or, of. the sons.
84:1; 85:1; 87:1; *titles
A song.
48:1; 66:1; *titles
Alamoth.
1Ch 15:20
refuge.
7,11; 62:7,8; 91:1-9; 142:5; Pr 14:26; 18:10; Lu 13:34; Heb 6:18
a very.
145:18; Ge 22:14; De 4:7; 2Sa 22:17-20

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Psalms 46:1

    To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

  • Psalms 46:2

    Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

Read all of Psalms 46

Psalms 46:1 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Al Músico principal: de los hijos de Coré: Salmo sobre Alamoth. DIOS es nuestro amparo y fortaleza, nuestro pronto auxilio en las tribulaciones.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Au chef de musique. Des fils de Coré. Sur Alamoth. Chant.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Gott ist uns Zuflucht und Stärke, eine Hülfe, reichlich gefunden in Drangsalen.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		In finem, pro filiis Core. Psalmus.