God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Psalm 46:1-3, NIV
Thank You dear Savior, for the assurance that when we need You, You will always be there. Amen
This Psalm is from the Korahite collection and it is believed that Korah the Levite, was a leader of the psalm-writers’ guild. One of the images prevalent throughout these psalms is that of water. There are two kinds of waters mentioned in this psalm, “waters that roar and foam,” and “a river whose streams make glad the city of God.” Waters of turbulence and waters of tranquility. Times of war and times of peace. The story of human existence.
I am sure the psalmist could have simply said, “God is a help in time of need.” He chose rather to accentuate the fact that there is never a time when that help is not available. He adds the adjectival phrase, ever-present help for emphasis! There are experiences in our lives that move us from the simple to the super. Spiritual experiences call for supreme expressions. It is more than likely, that for the Korahite who wrote this psalm this was one of those occasions.
As Levites in the music department, the Korahites no doubt had written many and varied melodies. Melodies fit for an army going out to battle, and melodies of victory as they returned triumphant! They knew from past experience that “The Lord of hosts [was] with [them] and the God of Jacob [was] [their] refuge.” Perhaps they were there when Solomon prayed, at the dedication of the temple, “May your eyes be open day and night toward this house, the place where You promised to set Your name, and may you heed the prayer that Your servant prays toward this place.” So they knew that “God [was] in the midst of the city; [and] it [would] not be moved[!]” They had experienced this ever-present help!
If there is a place where the majesty, and power, and glory, of God can be seen, it would be in the sanctuary. I am sure that Korahites oftentimes caught glimpses of God’s glory as they ministered. They knew that God dwelt among His people.
This is a song of victory! A promise of victory. We can “be still and know that [YHWH] is God!” Victory will come to God’s people because “the holy habitation of the Most High” is in the midst of them.
Jesus came and tabernacled among His people. When He went back to heaven He sent “another Comforter,” His Holy Spirit, who will be with us until the end! Praise God! Let us never forget that God is an ever-present help today, tomorrow, and forever!