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Psalm 46:1 (0) For the leader. By the descendants of Korach. On ‘alamot [high-pitched musical instruments?]. A song:
2 (1) God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
3 (2) Therefore we are unafraid,
even if the earth gives way,
even if the mountains tumble
into the depths of the sea,
4 (3) even if its waters rage and foam,
and mountains shake at its turbulence. (Selah)
5 (4) There is a river whose streams
gladden the city of God,
the holy habitation of ‘Elyon —
6 (5) God is in the city.
It will not be moved —
when daybreak comes, God will help it.
7 (6) Nations were in turmoil,
kingdoms were moved;
his voice thundered forth,
and the earth melted away.
8 (7) Adonai-Tzva’ot is with us,
our fortress, the God of Ya‘akov. (Selah)
9 (8) Come and see the works of Adonai,
the astounding deeds he has done on the earth.
10 (9) To the ends of the earth he makes wars cease —
he breaks the bow, snaps the spear,
burns the shields in the fire.
11 (10) “Desist, and learn that I am God,
supreme over the nations,
supreme over the earth.”
12 (11) Adonai-Tzva’ot is with us,
our fortress, the God of Ya‘akov. (Selah)(Complete Jewish Bible)
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It was just after midnight on the morning of July 6th. I had been up late reading and had just turned off the bedside light when the earthquake hit. The house trembled for several seconds as if heavy trucks were passing by on the street, and that was followed by a series of severe jolts that shook our home from the foundation to the roof. The aftershocks began only a few minutes later, leaving us all feeling vulnerable and making sleep impossible. Growing up in northern California we expected such things, but not in Butte, Montana. The words of Psalm 46 came to me only later: "Therefore we will not fear... though the mountains shake." There are times when we are able to set aside our fears for a bit, but there are also moments when we are shaken to our core, both literally and figuratively. The psalmist reminds us that the Lord is a strong tower--not a building that can be broken when the mountains tremble, but a presence in whom we can live, strong and secure, even when the earth moves beneath our feet.
Gracious Lord, when our hearts tremble within us and fears assail us, may your strong presence remind us that we are not alone. Liberate us from our fears, and set us free to live and serve in your holy name. Amen.
Tim Christensen, '94
Pastor, Gold Hill Evangelical Lutheran Church, Butte, Mont.
Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. (Selah)
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns.
6 The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. (Selah)
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord; see what desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.
10 "Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth."
11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. (Selah)(New Revised Standard Version)
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