This is one of my favourite psalms! As I read it this morning, I have to give thanks that we serve a God of love. A God who loves us so much that we can go to Him in prayer at anytime. It doesn’t matter what we’ve done, or how we’ve behaved in the past, no need to feel guilty, sorrowful, burdened – just accept His promise of salvation. Yes, we are guilty, unworthy, sinful, but Jesus has already paid the price for our sin, so we can BODLY approach the throne of grace, asking for God to help us – not to continue in sin, but to do better.
God is a very present help in trouble.
So no matter your situation, call on God. He is there. He is listening. He will help you. Don’t be afraid. That is the sense of peace and calm that knowing God, and claiming His promises can bring to us. This is a useful psalm to memorize; it can be verbalized in times of trial and tribulation, to support not only ourselves but others around us too.
Isaac Watts Poem
Isaac Watts (17 July 1674 – 25 November 1748) the great hymn writer and congregational minister, wrote this poem on Psalm 46:
God is the refuge of his saints,
When storms of sharp distress invade
Ere we can offer our complaints,
Behold him present with his aid.
Let mountains from their seats be hurled
Down to the deep, and buried there,
Convulsions shake the solid world,
Our faith shall never yield to fear.
Loud may the troubled ocean roar,
In sacred peace our souls abide,
While every nation, every shore,
Trembles, and dreads the swelling tide.
There is a stream, whose gentle flow
Supplies the city of our God;
Life, love, and joy still gliding through,
And wat’ring our divine abode.
That sacred stream, thine holy word,
That all our raging fear controls:
Sweet peace thy promises afford,
And give new strength to fainting souls.
Zion enjoys her Monarch’s love,
Secure against a threat’ning hour;
Nor can her firm foundations move,
Built on his truth, and armed with power.
My version is yet to be shared. Writing a song about a psalm or idea is a great way to help you remember it – that is just one of the benefits of music! So, meanwhile, here is a link to the King James Version of Psalm 46: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2046&version=KJV Which is your favourite verse from Psalm 46? There is so much there to be thankful for! Do you have a poem that you could share with me please?
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