Psalm 46 1

Psalm 46:1 kjv

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 46:1 nkjv

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

Psalm 46:1 niv

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Psalm 46:1 esv

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 46:1 nlt

God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.

Psalm 46 verses

Psalm 46 1 Meaning

Psalm 46:1 declares God as the ultimate and ever-present source of safety, power, and immediate aid in times of tribulation. He is a divine fortress for those who trust Him, providing unwavering strength and always ready to intervene effectively in the midst of any difficulty or distress. This verse portrays God not as a distant helper but as one actively involved and immediately available.

Psalm 46 1 Context

Psalm 46 is a "Song. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah." The Sons of Korah were Levitical musicians associated with the Temple, known for their emphasis on God's dwelling in Zion and His sovereignty. The phrase "According to Alamoth" in the superscription likely indicates a musical instruction, possibly for a high-pitched voice or specific instrument.

The historical context often associated with Psalm 46 is the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrian siege by Sennacherib, recorded in 2 Kings 18-19 and Isaiah 36-37. In this event, despite overwhelming odds and the boasting of the enemy, God intervened directly, destroying the Assyrian army overnight, demonstrating His absolute power and faithfulness to His people and His holy city. This specific historical backdrop emphasizes God's immediate and decisive intervention in the face of grave threats, reinforcing the psalm's message of God being an "ever-present help in trouble." The psalm is therefore a declaration of unshakable faith in God's presence and power amidst the most chaotic and terrifying global events. It presents God as the immovable center in a world prone to instability, raging nations, and shaking mountains.

Psalm 46 1 Word analysis

• God: Hebrew: 'Elohim (אֱלֹהִים). This is the plural form of El, commonly used for God in the Old Testament. It conveys His majestic power, sovereignty, and supreme deity, underscoring His transcendent authority over all creation and all circumstances. As the Creator and ruler of the universe, He is uniquely capable of being the refuge and strength for humanity.
• is: Hebrew does not contain a linking verb "is" here. The direct juxtaposition of "God" and "our refuge and strength" creates a strong, declarative statement of identity, emphasizing that God inherently embodies these qualities; He doesn't merely provide them, He is them.
• our refuge: Hebrew: machaseh (מַחֲסֶה). Means a place of shelter, asylum, protection, or security from danger. It implies a place where one can flee for safety and find an impenetrable defense. It signifies God as the ultimate sanctuary against all forms of harm—physical, emotional, or spiritual.
• and strength: Hebrew: 'oz (עֹז). Implies power, might, a stronghold, or a fortress. It speaks to God's inherent omnipotence and His ability to empower, uphold, and fortify His people. He doesn't just offer protection; He is the very source of resilience and overcoming power.
• a very present: Hebrew: bim'od (בִּמְאֹד). This intensifier means "exceedingly," "greatly," or "very much." It modifies "help" to emphasize the degree and immediacy of God's assistance. It highlights that God's help is not just available, but abundantly available and readily accessible—He is found with great certainty and efficacy when needed most.
• help: Hebrew: 'ezrah (עֶזְרָה). Refers to assistance, succor, aid, or relief. It denotes an active intervention on behalf of someone in need. It's not a passive presence but a dynamic and saving intervention.
• in trouble: Hebrew: tsarah (צָרָה). Encompasses distress, anguish, tribulation, narrow straits, adversity, or affliction. It speaks to times of intense difficulty and great need. This implies God's willingness to intervene directly within the specific crisis, rather than just preventing trouble.

Word Groups Analysis:

• "God is our refuge and strength": This opening phrase establishes God's fundamental identity for believers. He is not merely a distant provider, but intrinsically embodies these protective and empowering attributes for His people. "Our" indicates a personal and communal relationship with this mighty God. This forms the basis of trust, indicating He is our impenetrable shield and inexhaustible might against all adversities.
• "a very present help in trouble": This phrase elaborates on how God manifests as refuge and strength, especially in times of crisis. The "very present" (bim'od) stresses His immediacy, availability, and the overwhelming sufficiency of His aid. God does not wait until the trouble passes, but He is found and powerfully intervenes precisely within the midst of distress (tsarah), offering practical and effective help ('ezrah).

Psalm 46 1 Bonus section

The active and dynamic nature of "help" ('ezrah) signifies God's personal involvement, contrasting with passive waiting or simply providing resources from a distance. He engages directly with our tsarah (trouble), often entering into the suffering with us, a concept foreshadowing the empathetic and interventional nature of Christ. Furthermore, this verse sets the stage for the entire Psalm, where the chaotic imagery of crashing nations and moving mountains highlights the stability and peace found uniquely in God amidst cosmic disorder. It is a profound counter-cultural polemic, asserting the supremacy of Yahweh over all earthly powers and false gods who are helpless in the face of true calamity. The intensity of bim'od also suggests an abundance of help, more than what is merely adequate, a overflowing and comprehensive provision for every aspect of "trouble." This makes the help effective and all-encompassing, ensuring deliverance or the strength to endure triumphantly.

Psalm 46 1 Commentary

Psalm 46:1 stands as a powerful declaration of God's character and His unfailing relationship with His people. It offers profound assurance by defining God not merely as one who can help, but as one who is refuge, strength, and help itself. "Refuge" speaks to safety and security, highlighting God as an impenetrable shelter from life's storms. "Strength" points to His power and might, empowering His people to face challenges without succumbing. The crucial addition, "a very present help in trouble," reveals the dynamic, active, and immediate nature of God's intervention. He is not a delayed or distant deliverer, but one who is already there, already poised to act, and His help is overwhelming in its sufficiency. This verse provides the bedrock of faith for believers: even when the world is in chaos and difficulties abound, God's enduring presence and powerful intervention provide a stable anchor. It challenges human tendencies to rely on personal strength, material possessions, or human alliances, pointing instead to the all-sufficient and sovereign God as the only true source of enduring safety and victory.

Practical usage examples:

• When facing a severe illness, this verse can affirm that God is present as strength and comfort.
• During financial crisis, it reminds believers that God is a tangible help, not just a hope for the future.
• In times of intense personal fear or anxiety, the verse offers God as a protective refuge to flee into.