"… God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah."
Psalm 46:1-3
Part 1
When times are dangerous, and life is hard, the waters deep and treacherous, and there seems to be no stability beneath your feet, where do you go, and what can you do? David, who had been in impossible predicaments often, has the answer for us.
“God is our refuge and strength.”
Is his God your God? Can you say with David, God is our refuge…?” Do you know Him personally? If you do, you can say, “God is MY refuge and strength.” If you belong to God, you are secure!
Who is our God? His identity is vital to us, for it shows us His character.
“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” [1] (Clarke).
“Elohim” is God’s plural name from the Hebrew name “El.” This name means “strong one.” Not only does this name Elohim imply the Trinity, but it stresses His power, creatorship, sovereignty, and majesty.
“For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; He hath established it, He created it not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD, and there is none else” (Isaiah 45:18).
Believers, we have a refuge in our God when we are in trouble. It is God, our Creator, who is our refuge. This Hebrew word translated refuge means literally, “a place of trust”[2] (JFB).
“God is for us as a place to which we may flee for safety, a source of strength to us in danger. The first word, “refuge,” from a verb meaning to “flee,” and then “to flee to” …or to take shelter in – denotes a place to which one would flee in time of danger – as a lofty wall; a high tower; a fort; a fortress”[3] (Barnes).
David reminds us of our refuge twice more in this Psalm.
“The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge[4]. Selah” (Psalm 46:7, 11).
God is also “our strength.” He is the “strong one,” and none of our puny problems are too much for Him to handle.
When we hit snags in life, God is our refuge, and He is our strength, and He is approachable! Come back tomorrow as we see His help in our need.
[1] Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.
[2] Jamison, Fausset, and Brown. Jamison-Fausset-Brown’s Commentary, the electronic version in eSword. This is a place to run to in times of trouble. BDB defines it as a “refuge, shelter… from rain or storm, from danger… of falsehood.” Brown-Driver-Briggs’ Hebrew Definitions, the electronic version in eSword.
[3] Albert Barnes, Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.
[4] The word refuge in verses seven and eleven is a different Hebrew word, and it means “high place, refuge, secure height, retreat…stronghold…refuge (of God).” Brown-Driver-Briggs’ Hebrew Definitions, the electronic version in eSword.