(4) There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.  (5) God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

Psalm 46:4-5

Explanation

In verses 2-3 of the Psalm we are pointed to God as our refuge. The psalmist confidently sings of the safety, help, strength, and protection of our God in the midst of chaos. 

Part of that chaos is described as the roaring and troubled waters of the sea. Even when there is this kind of calamity and chaos, we can put our faith in God and choose that over fear. 

Look at the contrast of the waters mentioned in the second stanza of this Psalm.

Instead of a foaming, roaring, troubled ocean, we have a river that has subsequent streams.

Instead of finding ourselves in the “midst of the sea” (v2), we are in the midst of the city of God, coming to “ holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High”.

Instead of tempting the people of God to be afraid like the ocean, what is this river doing? It is “making glad the city of God”. 

Many scholars seem to point to the city of Jerusalem as the city of God in question during this entire psalm. This would be sung by the whole community of Israel as a statement of confidence in Jehovah God, especially with the potential of invading nations as we shall see.

Verse 5 tells us that God is in the middle of His city. We know that God’s presence was manifested in His Temple, Mount Zion. If God is on His throne in the Holy of Holies, the city of God(“she” in verse 5”) shall not be moved. That mountain won’t end up in the midst of the sea. Why? “God shall help her and that right early.”

Instead of chaos, we have calm. This psalm was not declaring that chaos doesn’t happen. It is claiming that the people of God can have a calm assurance in the promise keeping and protecting presence of our God.

Application

Jesus did not promise that we would not endure tribulation. He did promise that He would never leave us nor forsake us. We can have calm in the midst of difficulty. We can have a peace- a quiet assurance that what God is doing is best. He is for those who trust in Him. 

Response

Heavenly Father, I tend to get into my own head and lose faith in you when things get complicated and difficult. Help me to trust you in a calm, quiet, peaceable way when that season and response is appropriate. You are my strength, my refuge, and my very present help in time of trouble. Amen