Psalms

This Psalm inspired Martin Luther's hymn A Mighty Fortress is Our God.  This is the first of the trilogy of songs of triumph.  The designation as a song for Alamoth is likely instructions for being sung by female voices.

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. A Song for Alamoth.

 ¹ God is our refuge and strength,
         A very present help in trouble.
 ² Therefore we will not fear,
         Even though the earth be removed,
         And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
 ³ Though its waters roar and be troubled,
         Though the mountains shake with its swelling.  Selah  
Selah indeed!  These three verses are packed with thoughts that must be considered.  We need to stop and take them into account.  God is our refuge, our hiding place.  When all else in the world becomes unstable and unsure, we can rest assured that God has not changed.  He remains stable and strong and he is right there in the midst of our present trouble.  Because we know this and because believe in all His great promises we know we don't have to fear.  The earth moving and the mountains being carried are phrases referring to earthquakes.  The mountains and earth are supposed to be stable and unshaken.  When they move, what is left?  For those without the Lord, there is nothing left.  They stand exposed and at the mercy of a world that is shaking and unstable, amidst the waves or water and mountains that move.  For those in the Lord, we hold fast to Him.  He is unshakable even in the midst of the entire world shaking.

         
 ⁴ There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
         The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
 ⁵ God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
         God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
 ⁶ The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;
         He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
         
 ⁷ The LORD of hosts is with us;
         The God of Jacob is our refuge.  Selah  
What an amazing contrast.  While the seas rage and the earth shakes, there is a river whose streams satisfy the city of God.  When it all comes crashing down we know there is still the living water (see Psalm 22:1) flowing from the throne of God.  God's presence won't be affected by a little water or a little quake of the earth.  The earth moves and shakes at the hand of God.  He directs the flow of water and He provides the streams that feed the great rivers.  God won't be moved.  It is easy for us to imagine the nations raging.  In the middle of disaster and turmoil we look for that stablilizing force.  We demand that someone step in and make this stop; cease the pain and ease the suffering.  But the nations would find nothing stable and no one to ease their conscience.  The Psalmist knew that God alone was that force and while the nations raged and kingdoms moved, God was in control of it all.  God spoke the entire creation into existence.  When God speaks the earth melts.  

        
 ⁸ Come, behold the works of the LORD,
         Who has made desolations in the earth.
 ⁹ He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
         He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
         He burns the chariot in the fire.
Though all the nations may come against the people of God, they will not find victory.  Though through human eyes the odds are devastating, God will go beyond equalizing those odds.  He is the One who calls the shots.  He can shake the earth at His command.  He can stop wars to the end of the earth and assure there will be no more war.  The nations are at the mercy of God.         

 ¹⁰ Be still, and know that I am God;
         I will be exalted among the nations,
         I will be exalted in the earth!
 ¹¹ The LORD of hosts is with us;
         The God of Jacob is our refuge.  Selah  

Our tendency is to look at the outward appearance of things.  At times we look like we are losing.  Is God watching?  Is He going to allow this to stand?  Will He move?  The answer lies here.  Be still, and know that I am God.  He will exalt himself to the nations and over the entire earth.  We get fooled into thinking that He is far off or not listening.  We misread his patience and long suffering as apathy.  Stand firm in your faith.  We must know and always remember that he is there.