Psalm 46 11

Psalm 46:11 kjv

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

Psalm 46:11 nkjv

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

Psalm 46:11 niv

The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Psalm 46:11 esv

The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Psalm 46:11 nlt

The LORD of Heaven's Armies is here among us;
the God of Israel is our fortress. Interlude

Psalm 46 verses

Psalm 46 11 Meaning

The final declaration of Psalm 46, this verse succinctly articulates God's unwavering presence and protective power over His people. It affirms that the mighty and sovereign "LORD of hosts" is intimately and actively "with us," providing ultimate security and an impregnable "fortress." This statement serves as both a victorious assertion of faith and a comforting assurance in the face of any earthly turmoil.

Psalm 46 11 Context

Psalm 46 is a song of confident trust in God, even in the midst of global upheaval and natural disasters. It opens by declaring God as a present help in trouble (v. 1). The psalm describes tumultuous events – mountains shaking, waters roaring, nations raging, kingdoms tottering (v. 2-6) – yet in the face of such chaos, Jerusalem, the city of God, remains secure because God is within her (v. 5). The preceding verse (Ps 46:10) is God's direct command: "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" Verse 11 then serves as the triumphant and reassuring conclusion, directly flowing from this divine command, summarizing the unwavering reality of God's protecting presence and power. The repetition of this verse (or a very similar one in Ps 46:7) serves as a refrain, cementing this foundational truth of God's reliable presence amidst the world's tumult, historically understood within the context of Jerusalem's deliverance, perhaps from the Assyrians, or as a general hymn of trust.

Psalm 46 11 Word analysis

• The LORD: Translation of YHWH (Yahweh), the personal, covenant name of God. It signifies God's self-existence, His eternal nature, and His faithfulness to His covenant promises.

• of hosts: From the Hebrew Ts'vaot (צְבָאוֹת), meaning "armies" or "hosts." This title, Yahweh Ts'vaot, proclaims God's supreme authority over all heavenly and earthly armies, forces, and celestial bodies. It portrays Him as the divine Warrior and commander of cosmic powers, emphasizing His infinite might and sovereignty.

• is with us: From the Hebrew immanu (עִמָּנוּ), signifying active, engaged presence and solidarity. This is not just proximity but a protective, aiding, and empowering presence. It conveys God's intimate relationship and intervention on behalf of His people, making His immense power personally accessible to them. This forms the root of "Immanuel."

• the God: Hebrew Elohei (אֱלֹהֵי), indicating the possessive "God of." It's derived from Elohim, a common generic word for God, but here particularized by "of Jacob."

• of Jacob: From Ya'akov (יַעֲקֹב). Refers to the patriarch Jacob and, by extension, his descendants – the nation of Israel. This title, Elohei Ya'akov, emphasizes God's covenant faithfulness and personal relationship with His chosen people, despite their flaws. It grounds His universal power in specific historical and covenantal love, reminding the audience of God's enduring promises and past deliverances to Israel.

• is our fortress: From the Hebrew misgav (מִשְׂגָּב), meaning a "high place," "stronghold," or "refuge." It implies an inaccessible and impregnable place of safety and protection, towering over dangers. It conveys complete security, not in human defenses or geographical advantages, but solely in God's protective presence. The New Testament often sees this refuge ultimately found in Christ.

• "The LORD of hosts is with us": This phrase combines God's universal, omnipotent authority (Yahweh Ts'vaot) with His particular, intimate presence (immanu). It's a declaration that the commander of all forces stands in solidarity with His people, signifying that His infinite power is mobilized on their behalf. This makes earthly threats utterly inconsequential. This phrase implicitly carries a polemic against reliance on human military might or pagan gods, asserting Yahweh's unparalleled supremacy.

• "the God of Jacob is our fortress": This links God's specific covenant fidelity (God of Jacob) to His role as an absolute guarantor of safety (misgav). It means that the God who faithfully led and protected His vulnerable servant Jacob and his descendants is the same God who provides an unassailable sanctuary for His people today, embodying perfect and unfailing protection. This also implicitly rejects the concept of other earthly strongholds or idols providing true safety, as they cannot compare to the enduring protection of the covenant-keeping God.

Psalm 46 11 Bonus section

This verse's repetition in Psalm 46:7 ("The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah") highlights its significance as the central message and comforting refrain of the psalm. The word "Selah" which follows often marks a pause for meditation, emphasizing the profundity and certainty of the preceding statement. This repetition transforms it from a mere declaration into a deep truth for contemplation and unwavering affirmation of faith. It serves as a strong rebuttal against reliance on anything other than God for ultimate security, especially in a world that seeks stability in material possessions, political power, or military might. The name Yahweh Ts'vaot alone could inspire terror in enemies, but immanu ensures it brings comfort and courage to His people.

Psalm 46 11 Commentary

Psalm 46:11 serves as the resolute and comforting refrain, culminating the Psalm's powerful declaration of God's unwavering sovereignty. After the tumultuous descriptions of a chaotic world and God's command to "be still" (v. 10), this verse anchors the believer in two fundamental truths: God's immense power and His intimate presence. "The LORD of hosts," a title highlighting His military might and cosmic authority, is not a distant, unconcerned deity but immanu – actively "with us." This assures believers that the omnipotent One personally identifies with and supports them. Further, by identifying Himself as "the God of Jacob," He grounds this universal power in His covenant faithfulness, reminding His people of His unchanging promises made to Israel. He is not merely a generic deity, but their God, who has historically intervened and protected a flawed people. Consequently, this God of covenant love and cosmic power is our fortress, an impregnable stronghold where security is found not in human might or geographical location, but solely in His protective presence. This verse is a timeless anthem of trust, urging absolute reliance on God as the sole source of safety and peace amidst any earthly chaos. It calls for quiet confidence, knowing that divine power and faithfulness guarantee ultimate security.

Examples:

• In times of overwhelming societal upheaval or personal distress, the believer can rest in the truth that the Almighty God is personally present and offers unshakeable protection.
• Facing seemingly insurmountable challenges, remembering that "the LORD of hosts is with us" can transform fear into courage, recognizing that infinite power fights on your behalf.
• When feeling vulnerable or alone, recalling that "the God of Jacob is our fortress" brings comfort, knowing that God's historical faithfulness guarantees His enduring care.