Psalm 46 7

Psalm 46:7 kjv

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

Psalm 46:7 nkjv

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

Psalm 46:7 niv

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

Psalm 46:7 esv

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

Psalm 46:7 nlt

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

Psalm 46 verses

Psalm 46 7 Meaning

Psalm 46:7 declares God's mighty and constant presence among His people, offering an unbreakable security. It highlights two key aspects of God: His omnipotence as the "LORD of hosts" and His covenant faithfulness as "the God of Jacob." Together, these attributes ensure His protective presence, making Him an unshakeable refuge for believers amidst any global turmoil or personal distress.

Psalm 46 7 Context

Psalm 46 is a "song of confidence," possibly composed after a great national deliverance, commonly thought to be the destruction of Sennacherib's Assyrian army besieging Jerusalem in King Hezekiah's time (c. 701 BC), as recorded in 2 Kings 19 and Isaiah 36-37. The psalm proclaims God as the ultimate refuge and strength amidst natural disasters (earthquakes, mountains shaking) and human conflicts (nations raging, kingdoms tottering). Verse 7 functions as a central refrain, echoing the earlier declarations of God's presence and establishing the bedrock for the confidence expressed throughout the psalm. It pivots the focus from the chaotic world to the unchanging, ever-present power of God, solidifying the reason for Israel's (and later, the Church's) peace and security.

Psalm 46 7 Word analysis

• The LORD of hosts (Yahweh Tseva'ot, יְהֹוָה צְבָאוֹת):
  • The LORD (Yahweh, יְהֹוָה): God's covenant name, signifying His self-existent, eternal, and relational nature. This personal name underscores His faithfulness to His promises.
  • of hosts (Tseva'ot, צְבָאוֹת): Means "armies" or "heavenly hosts." This title presents God as the Commander of celestial armies (angels) and earthly forces (nations, creation). It speaks to His immense power, sovereignty, and absolute authority over all things, making Him invincible and utterly reliable for His people. It implicitly critiques reliance on human armies or foreign alliances, highlighting divine supremacy.
• is with us (Immanu, עִמָּנוּ):
  • Emphasizes God's direct, personal, and active presence. This is not a passive or distant God, but One who actively stands alongside His people, involved in their lives and circumstances. It evokes the prophetic name "Immanuel" (God with us) which finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ (Matt 1:23). This divine solidarity is a source of immense comfort and courage.
• The God of Jacob (Elohei Ya'akov, אֱלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב):
  • God (Elohei, אֱלֹהֵי): General term for God, but here particularized.
  • of Jacob (Ya'akov, יַעֲקֹב): This specific epithet ties God to His covenant relationship with Jacob (who became Israel) and, by extension, to all His covenant people. It highlights His historical faithfulness, His patient dealings with an imperfect man, and His unwavering commitment to His promises to Israel. This specific historical grounding ensures that the "LORD of hosts" is not an abstract force, but the personal, covenant-keeping God known through generations.
• is our refuge (Misgav lanu, מִשְׂגָּב לָנוּ):
  • Refuge (Misgav, מִשְׂגָּב): A high place, a secure retreat, an inaccessible fortress, or a strong tower. It depicts a place of ultimate safety, protection, and inaccessibility to enemies.
  • is our... (lanu): Emphasizes a communal, personal appropriation of God's protective nature. He is not just a refuge generally, but specifically our refuge, highlighting a personal and collective relationship. It reinforces the idea of safety and security derived from His impenetrable protection.

Psalm 46 7 Bonus section

The double use of the refrain "The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge" in Psalm 46 (vv. 7, 11) is a significant literary feature known as an inclusio. This repetition brackets the psalm's central section (vv. 8-10) which vividly describes God's awesome works of destruction against the nations and His command to "be still." This structure emphasizes that God's unwavering presence is both the cause and the result of the psalmist's deep-seated confidence in the face of universal chaos. The structure suggests that seeing God's powerful acts in the world leads to an even deeper appropriation of His protective presence as one's personal refuge. It also subtly reinforces the idea of God's "rest" for His people, a quiet assurance amidst turmoil that He is in control.

Psalm 46 7 Commentary

Psalm 46:7 serves as the bedrock of unwavering faith, a timeless affirmation that anchors believers in the turbulent seas of life. The declaration "The LORD of hosts is with us" assures us that the Creator of all, the Commander of heavenly armies, actively dwells among His people. This isn't merely a spiritual truth but a profound reality—He intervenes, protects, and sustains. This specific divine title "LORD of hosts" asserts His supremacy over all visible and invisible forces, dispelling fears arising from earthly powers or unseen threats. His presence alone guarantees triumph.

Furthermore, identifying Him as "the God of Jacob" brings this vast power down to a personal, relational level. It reminds us that this majestic God is the same One who faithfully guided Jacob through his struggles, disappointments, and eventual transformation. His past faithfulness is a guarantee of future constancy. This God of covenant is not remote but intimately involved, accessible, and steadfast in His promises to His people throughout history.

Therefore, the conclusion that "He is our refuge" is inevitable and comforting. His constant, powerful, and faithful presence creates an impregnable fortress for those who trust in Him. This refuge is not passive; it is an active defense, a source of peace, and an ultimate safe haven. When nations rage and the earth gives way, the believer stands firm because their dwelling is with the "LORD of hosts, the God of Jacob."

Practically, this verse calls believers to:

• Rest in His Presence: Cease striving and know that He is God because He is with us.
• Trust His Power: Recognize that no earthly or spiritual opposition can overcome the "LORD of hosts."
• Remember His Faithfulness: Ground hope in the enduring covenant relationship God has always had with His people.
• Find Shelter: In every trial, turn to Him as an unshakeable fortress.