A BIBLICAL CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS OF

PSALM 46:1-4



























Eric Cai
Box #137
OT604 Hebrew Exegesis II
Mar. 8, 2014









2
Outline of the Book of Psalms

I. Book One (Pss 1-41)
II. Book Two (Pss 42-72)
A. Davidic Covenant Continues (Pss 42-71)
B. The Hope of the Davidic Kings (Ps 72)
1

III. Book Three (Pss 73-89)
IV. Book Four (Pss 90-106)
V. Book Five (Pss 107-150)
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Outline Showing Contexts of Psalm 46:1-4

I. Book One (Pss 1-41)
II. Book Two (Pss 42-72)
A. Davidic Covenant Continues
1. Communal Longing for Restoration (Pss 42-44)
2. God as King and Hope for the Future (Pss 45-49)
i. The Glory of God and King (Ps 45)
ii. God Is Fortress and Refuge (Ps 46)
iii. God Rules as King over the Earth (Ps 47)
iv. God Rules from Zion (Ps 48)
v. World Called to Understand Redemption of God (Ps 49)
3. Call to Repentance and Confession (Pss 50-53)
4. Communal Plea for Restoration (Pss 54-59)
5. The Agony of Divine Rejection (Ps 60)
6. Reliance and Universal Restoration (Pss 61-68)
7. Deliverance and Praise (Pss 69-71)
B. The Hope of the Davidic Kings (Ps 72)
III. Book Three (Pss 73-89)
IV. Book Four (Pss 90-106)
V. Book Five (Pss 107-150)
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Section Outline of Psalm 46:1-4

Book Two (Pss 42-72)
I. Davidic Covenant Continues (Pss 42-71)
A. Communal Longing for Restoration (Pss 42-44)
B. God as King and Hope for the Future (Pss 45-49)
a. The Glory of God and King (Ps 45)
b. God Is Fortress and Refuge (Ps 46)
c. God Rules as King over the Earth (Ps 47)
d. God Rules from Zion (Ps 48)
e. World Called to Understand Redemption of God (Ps 49)

1
Gerald H. Wilson, Psalms Volume 1, NIVAC (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002), 82-84.
2
Adapted from Peter Craigie, Psalms 1-50, WBC 19 (Waco, TX: Word Books, 1983), 30.
3
Adapted from Wilson, Psalms, 82-84.
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C. Call to Repentance and Confession (Pss 50-53)
D. Communal Plea for Restoration (Pss 54-59)
E. The Agony of Divine Rejection (Ps 60)
F. Reliance and Universal Restoration (Pss 61-68)
G. Deliverance and Praise (Pss 69-71)
II. The Hope of the Davidic Kings (Psalm 72)
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Relationship to the Immediate Contexts

While the paragraph of a psalm should not be disconnected and understood apart
from its larger context, initial analysis on the paragraph level is fairly discernible and
straightforward. The preeminent theme dominating these four verses is the believers
surety of Gods exceedingly, available presence particularly in seismic calamities. This
understanding is easily observed when the psalmist asserts the reality that God is our
refuge and strength (v. 2). It is in light of this reality that worshipers will not fear even
when utter upheaval of creation and chaos seek to dissolve human existence. The
worshipers foundation is sure, because his foundation is in God.
Psalm 46 is nicely divided into three sections, each section beginning at vv. 2, 8,
and 12. The theme is emphasized throughout the chapter in vv. 2, 8, 12. The psalmist
could not be any clearer: God is with his people no matter what. This psalm then is
appropriately and incredibly theocentric. The subsequent context clarifies and, at the
same time, is clarified by vv. 1-4. If God is with his people in calamities of cosmic
proportions, how much more God will be with his people when earthly powers threaten
human existence. So Psalm 46:5-12 serves to show Gods comforting presence in relation
to other, but nevertheless troubling contexts. Just as violent forces of nature threaten
human existence, human might also attempt to threaten human existence. But, just like
the mountains and the earth (vv. 3-4), while nations and kingdoms totter (v. 7), the city of

4
Adapted from Wilson, Psalms, 82-84.
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God remains unassailable, because God is in her midst (vv. 6, 8). Since God is the
matchless, exalted God who displays his supremacy over human hostilities (vv. 9-11),
worshipers are comforted, knowing that God is grand and near to his people.
Psalm 46 fits within Book 2 of the Psalter. Book 1 concludes with the psalmist
lamenting (Ps 41), because of his enemies and Book 2 begins with the dejected psalmist
looking to God as his hope for deliverance (Pss 42-43). This theme continues as the
psalmist anticipates Gods action on behalf of his people when it seems that God is
absent (Ps 44). Psalm 46 answers this anticipation as the psalmist reminds his readers that
God is their refuge and strength even in grim realities.
While the design of certain psalms placed alongside each other is more
discernible, the purpose or design of the entire Psalter is more difficult, or even
impossible, to discern altogether.
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Nevertheless, it is helpful to see Psalm 46 in its overall
context of the Psalter. Since the Psalter is a pristine window into Israels faith
6
, Psalm
46:1-4 is the prime example of the worshipers confidence in God. In fact, Psalm 46:1-4
is a succinct summary and model of what the entire Psalter aims to show as the proper
response of a godly believer. When a worshiper faces seeming abandonment from God
(Ps 13), the idea of abandonment drives him, not farther, but desperately closer to the
face of God. The proper response to God in joys and especially trials is always faith, not
unbelief, in God.
Relationship to the Remote Contexts
The Psalter is a body of Hebrew Old Testament poetry. Craigie helpfully notes
that whereas the language of prose is utilized primarily toward direct communication,

5
Craigie, Psalms, 30.
6
Willem A. VanGemeren, Psalms, in The Expositors Bible Commentary, Volume 5, 12 vols., ed. Frank
E. Gaebelein (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1991), 5.
5
poetic language is characterized by a more transcendent quality.
7
As mentioned earlier,
the Psalms give an inside look into the devotional life of Israelite believers. Psalm 46:1-4
is distinct, because it invokes cosmos and mythical motifs to call about internal realities
of a believer. In fact, Psalm 46:1-4 is one of the only places in the Psalter (aside from a
brief reference of the mountains trembling in Ps 18:7) that uses any kind of language of
cosmology. This understanding illuminates the gravitas of Gods presence in chaotic evils
and forces.
While Psalm 46:1-4 is not directly quoted in other Old Testament passages and
contexts, Craigie notes that the language is reminiscent of other contexts, in which the
Hebrew poets employed language evocative of the shaking earth (Isa 24:19-20), the
trembling mountains (Isa 54:10), and the disruption of land and sea alike (Hag 2:6).
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The
language of Psalm 46:1-4 is ultimately rooted in ancient Israelite cosmology motifs,
whereby God conquered chaos by establishing creation and order. Craigie again notes
that the language of confidence here is rooted in creation, for Gods order emerged from
primeval chaos (Gen 1:1-2).
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Creation is therefore good because Gods wisdom is
inherent in the creation order, ultimately highlighting the fact that even in the face of
chaos and disorder the worshiper does not need to fear, because God sovereignly governs
and controls chaos by establishing creation-order.
The New Testament alludes to, but does not quote, Psalm 46:1-4 once in Luke
21:25. Luke 21:25 says, And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the
earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves.
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7
Craigie, Psalms, 36.
8
Ibid., 344.
9
Ibid.
10
Luke 21:25, ESV.
6
This allusion is helpful and interesting, because it is couched in eschatological contexts.
Jesus alludes to Psalm 46:3-4 in reference to how his second advent will be like. This is
exegetically illuminating, because it uncovers an eschatological dimension to the chaotic
forces in Psalm 46:1-4.
Conclusion
Psalm 46:1-4 is only understood when considering its immediate and remote
contexts. Though chaotic forces attempt to threaten human existence, the worshiper will
not fear, because his God is the exalted God, who still chaos by establishing creation
order. Therefore his hope and confidence is in God, who is not only grand, he is also near
and available to his people.
Bibliography
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Bowling, Andrew. . In Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, 2 vols., ed. by
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Craigie, Peter C. Word Biblical Commentary 19: Psalms 1-50. Waco, TX: Word Books,
1983.

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7
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