Psalm 46:5
God is within her; she will not be moved. God will help her when morning dawns.
God is within her
The phrase "God is within her" speaks to the indwelling presence of God. In Hebrew, the word for "God" here is "Elohim," which emphasizes His power and might. The "her" refers to the city of God, often understood as Jerusalem, symbolizing the people of God. The presence of God within His people is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, signifying protection, guidance, and blessing. Historically, Jerusalem was seen as the dwelling place of God, especially with the Temple as His earthly abode. This assurance of God's presence is a source of strength and stability, echoing the New Testament promise of the Holy Spirit dwelling within believers.

she will not be moved
The phrase "she will not be moved" conveys a sense of unshakeable stability and security. The Hebrew word for "moved" is "môt," which can mean to totter, shake, or slip. This assurance is rooted in the presence of God, who is unchanging and eternal. In a historical context, Jerusalem faced many threats and sieges, yet the psalmist declares that with God in her midst, she remains steadfast. This reflects the broader biblical theme that those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved (Psalm 125:1).

God will help her
"God will help her" underscores the active role of God in providing assistance and deliverance. The Hebrew word for "help" is "azar," which implies support and aid. This divine help is not passive but involves God's intervention in times of trouble. Throughout the Bible, God is depicted as a helper to His people, delivering them from enemies and providing for their needs. This assurance of help is a reminder of God's faithfulness and His commitment to His covenant people.

when morning dawns
The phrase "when morning dawns" suggests a time of renewal and hope. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the dawn was often associated with new beginnings and the dispelling of darkness. The imagery of morning signifies the end of night, which can represent times of trouble or uncertainty. Biblically, morning is a time of God's mercies being renewed (Lamentations 3:22-23). This phrase assures believers that God's help is timely and that His deliverance often comes at the break of a new day, bringing light and hope to His people.

Persons / Places / Events
1. God
The central figure in this verse, representing His omnipresence and omnipotence. He is the source of strength and stability.

2. The City of God
Often interpreted as Jerusalem or symbolically as the people of God, representing a place or community under divine protection.

3. Morning
Symbolizes a time of renewal and hope, indicating God's timely intervention and faithfulness.
Teaching Points
God's Presence Brings Stability
Just as God is within the city, He is within us, providing an unshakeable foundation in times of trouble.

Divine Help is Timely
God's help comes at the perfect time, often when we least expect it, symbolized by the dawn.

Faith in God's Protection
Trusting in God's presence allows us to remain steadfast, even when circumstances are uncertain.

Community of Believers
The city can be seen as a metaphor for the church, reminding us of the strength found in unity and shared faith.

Hope in Renewal
Morning represents new beginnings, encouraging us to look forward to God's mercies that are new every day.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God's presence within us change the way we face challenges?

2. In what ways can we experience God's help "when morning dawns" in our daily lives?

3. How can the imagery of a city that "will not be moved" inspire us in our personal faith journey?

4. What are some practical ways we can remind ourselves of God's presence during difficult times?

5. How does the concept of God dwelling among His people connect to the New Testament teachings about the church and the Holy Spirit?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 46:1-3
These verses set the context for verse 5, emphasizing God as a refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Isaiah 12:6
This verse also speaks of God dwelling among His people, reinforcing the idea of divine presence and protection.

Zephaniah 3:17
Highlights God's presence among His people, bringing salvation and joy.

Revelation 21:3
Describes the ultimate fulfillment of God's dwelling with His people in the new Jerusalem.
A Divine Refuge and StrengthC. Short Psalm 46:1-11
A Psalm of War and PeaceJ. A. Black, M. A.Psalm 46:1-11
God Our RefugePulpit AnalystPsalm 46:1-11
Hope for the TroubledW. Forsyth Psalm 46:1-11
Man's Refuge, Strength and HelpRobert Bruce Hull.Psalm 46:1-11
Our Present HelpW. Birch.Psalm 46:1-11
Sure HelpW. Birch.Psalm 46:1-11
The Moral Mirror of the GoodHomilistPsalm 46:1-11
The Safe ShelterW. Birch.Psalm 46:1-11
The Saint's StrongholdC. Clemance Psalm 46:1-11
Gihon and the River of LifeJ. H. Evans, M. A.Psalm 46:4-7
God Our HelperJ. Foot, D. D.Psalm 46:4-7
The City and River of GodA. Maclaren, D. D.Psalm 46:4-7
The City of GodD. Jones.Psalm 46:4-7
The River of Divine GraceJ. Mitchell.Psalm 46:4-7
The River of GodJ. Cummins, D. D.Psalm 46:4-7
The River of MercyF. Tucker, B. APsalm 46:4-7
The River Through the CityHomiletic MagazinePsalm 46:4-7
The Security and Happiness of the ChurchD. Moore, M. A.Psalm 46:4-7
The Security and Happiness of the ChurchR. Watson.Psalm 46:4-7
The Security of the ChurchW. Mayors, M. A.Psalm 46:4-7
People
Jacob, Korah, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Approach, Break, Dawn, Dawns, Early, Fall, Midst, Morn, Morning, Moved, Turn
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 46:5

     4918   dawn
     5295   destruction

Psalm 46:4-5

     4260   rivers and streams

Psalm 46:4-7

     7271   Zion, as symbol

Library
God is Our Refuge
Westminster Abbey, 1873. Psalm xlvi. 1. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." This is a noble psalm, full of hope and comfort; and it will be more and more full of hope and comfort, the more faithfully we believe in the incarnation, the passion, the resurrection, and the ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ. For if we are to give credit to His express words, and to those of every book of the New Testament, and to the opinion of that Church into which we are baptised,
Charles Kingsley—All Saints' Day and Other Sermons

The Lord of Hosts, the God of Jacob
'The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our Refuge.' --PSALM xlvi. 11. Some great deliverance, the details of which we do not know, had been wrought for Israel, and this psalmist comes forth, like Miriam with her choir of maidens, to hymn the victory. The psalm throbs with exultation, but no human victor's name degrades the singer's lips. There is only one Conqueror whom he celebrates. The deliverance has been 'the work of the Lord'; the 'desolations' that have been made on the 'earth'
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The City and River of God
'There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. 5. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. 6. The heathen 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.'--PSALM xlvi 4-7. There are two remarkable events in the history of Israel, one or other of which most probably supplied the historical
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Desolations of the Lord, the Consolation of his Saints
IT SEEMS THAT EVERYTHING Christlike must have a history like that of Christ. His beginnings were small--the manger and the stable. So with the beginnings of that society which we love, and which we believe to be the very incarnation of the Spirit of Christ. Its beginnings also were small; but its latter end shall doubtless greatly increase--for, hath not the end of Christ become exceedingly glorious? He hath ascended up on high; he sitteth at the right hand of God, our Father; and doubtless this
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858

Eighteenth Day for Peace
WHAT TO PRAY.--For Peace "I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplication be made for kings and all that are in high places; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and gravity. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour."--1 TIM. ii"He maketh wars to cease to the end of the earth."--PS. xlvi. 9. What a terrible sight!--the military armaments in which the nations find their pride. What a terrible thought!--the evil passions that may at any moment bring
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession

Of the Presence of God
Of the Presence of God The soul that is faithful in the exercise of love and adherence to God above described, is astonished to feel Him gradually taking possession of their whole being: it now enjoys a continual sense of that Presence, which is become as it were natural to it; and this, as well as prayer, is the result of habit. The soul feels an unusual serenity gradually being diffused throughout all its faculties; and silence now wholly constitutes its prayer; whilst God communicates an intuitive
Madame Guyon—A Short and Easy Method of Prayer

Higher Degree of Prayer, which is that of the Simple Presence of God, or Active Contemplation.
The soul, faithfully exercising itself in the affection and love of its God, is astonished to find Him taking complete possession of it. His presence becomes so natural, that it would be impossible not to have it: it becomes habitual to the soul, which is also conscious of a great calm spreading over it. Its prayer is all silence, and God imparts to it an intrinsic love, which is the commencement of ineffable happiness. Oh, if I could describe the infinite degrees which follow! But I must stop here,
Jeanne Marie Bouvières—A Short Method Of Prayer And Spiritual Torrents

The Stronghold
[Psalm 46] [41]Luther. 1530. trans. by William Gaskell, 1855 A sure stronghold our God is He, A trusty shield and weapon; Our help He'll be and set us free From every ill can happen. That old malicious foe Intends us deadly woe; Armed with the strength of hell, And deepest craft as well, On earth is not his fellow. Through our own force we nothing can, Straight were we lost for ever, But for us fights the proper Man, By God sent to deliver. Ask ye who this may be? Christ Jesus named is He, Of Sabaoth
Catherine Winkworth—Christian Singers of Germany

The River of God
C. P. C. Ps. xlvi. 4 From the Rock that God has riven Flows the sacred river, Through the wastes of barren ages, Ever and for ever. Still on this side and on that side, Grow the healing trees-- Bearing fruit for all who hunger, Leaves for all disease. From the everlasting fountains Still it flows along, Making glad the holy city Of eternal song. From the throne of Christ in glory, Rock that God has riven, Onward still the crystal river Bears the life of Heaven. Sheep lie yet in quiet pastures
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and Others

Twenty-First Sunday after Trinity. Be Strong in the Lord
Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity. Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 8,7,8,7,6,6,6,6,7 Ein feste Burg [118]Luther. 1530. Hymn composed on the road to Worms. trans. by William Gaskell, 1855 A sure stronghold
Catherine Winkworth—Lyra Germanica: The Christian Year

The Lord of Hosts. --Ps. Xlvi.
The Lord of Hosts.--Ps. xlvi. Come, and behold the works of God, What desolations he will make; In vengeance when He wields His rod, The heathen rage, their kingdoms quake; He utters forth His voice;--'tis felt; Like wax the world's foundations melt; The Lord of Hosts is in the field! The God of Jacob is our shield. Again He maketh wars to cease, He breaks the bow, unpoints the spear, And burns the chariot;--joy and peace In all His glorious march appear: Silence, O Earth! Thy Maker own; Ye gentiles,
James Montgomery—Sacred Poems and Hymns

An Antepast of Heaven. --Psalm Xlvi.
An Antepast of Heaven.--Psalm xlvi. There is a river pure and bright, Whose streams make glad the heavenly plains, Where, in eternity of light, The City of our God remains. Built by the word of His command, With His unclouded presence blest, Firm as His throne, the bulwarks stand; There is our home, our hope, our rest. Thither let fervent faith aspire; Our treasure and our heart be there: Oh! for a seraph's wing of fire! No,--on the mightier wings of prayer,-- We reach at once that last retreat,
James Montgomery—Sacred Poems and Hymns

Letter Lii to Another Holy virgin.
To Another Holy Virgin. Under a religious habit she had continued to have a spirit given up to the world, and Bernard praises her for coming to a sense of her duty; he exhorts her not to neglect the grace given to her. 1. It is the source of great joy to me to hear that you are willing to strive after that true and perfect joy, which belongs not to earth but to heaven; that is, not to this, vale of tears, but to that city of God which the rivers of the flood thereof make glad (Ps. xlvi. 4). And in
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

God is Our Stronghold and Our Stay
[835]Ein Feste Burg: Martin Luther, 1529 Psalm 46 Version by Elizabeth Wordsworth, 1903 God is our stronghold and our stay, Our hope in tribulation; What though the mountains rock and sway To earth's long-hid foundation? What though the ocean roar, Fast gaining on the shore, The hurtling storm rage loud Beneath the thunder cloud? Our hearts are all untroubled. The might of water sinks to rest; How calm yon river glideth, God's city mirrored on its breast, The house where he abideth! Hushed be all
Various—The Hymnal of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the USA

The Faults Committed in this Degree --Distractions, Temptations --The Course to be Pursued Respecting Them.
As soon as we fall into a fault, or have wandered, we must turn again within ourselves; because this fault having turned us from God, we should as soon as possible turn towards Him, and suffer the penitence which He Himself will give. It is of great importance that we should not be anxious about these faults, because the anxiety only springs from a secret pride and a love of our own excellence. We are troubled at feeling what we are. If we become discouraged, we shall grow weaker yet; and reflection
Jeanne Marie Bouvières—A Short Method Of Prayer And Spiritual Torrents

The Opinions
Of the Hebrew Doctors on the great Day of Judgment, and of the Reign of the Messiah then to come. Carpentarius, in his Commentary on the Alcinous of Plato, p. 322, asserts, that "the seventh millenary was called, by the whole school of the Cabalists, the great day of judgment, because then they think that God will judge the souls of all." He means, by the name of Cabalists, (if I am not mistaken,) the Talmudic doctors, according to whom, in more than one author, that tradition is found to be recorded.
Joseph Mede—A Key to the Apocalypse

A Manifestation of God in Answer to Prayer
A MANIFESTATION OF GOD IN ANSWER TO PRAYER ". . . When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness." -- Acts 4:31. This remarkable manifestation of God reveals the effectiveness of prevailing prayer. It vividly discloses the fact that prayer can accomplish much. It is apparent that neither the apostles, nor the assembled company of devout believers were astonished at the marvelous
T. M. Anderson—Prayer Availeth Much

Notes on the Third Century
Page 161. Line 1. He must be born again, &c. This is a compound citation from John iii. 3, and Mark x. 15, in the order named. Page 182. Line 17. For all things should work together, &c. See Romans viii. 28. Page 184. Lines 10-11. Being Satan is able, &c. 2 Corinthians xi. 14. Page 184. Last line. Like a sparrow, &c. Psalm cii. Page 187. Line 1. Mechanisms. This word is, in the original MS., mechanicismes.' Page 187. Line 7. Like the King's daughter, &c. Psalm xlv. 14. Page 188. Med. 39. The best
Thomas Traherne—Centuries of Meditations

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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