Bible verse

Psalm 46:1

For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.

Psalm 46:1 · BSB

What the psalm has in mind by "trouble"

Not a difficult week. The next two verses describe the earth giving way and mountains falling into the sea — the ancient picture of everything solid coming apart at once.

"A very present help" is a translation of a phrase meaning found, abundantly, in the middle of it. The claim is about availability during the collapse rather than restoration afterwards. "Be still and know that I am God" arrives at the end of the same psalm, and it is spoken over a battlefield.

Psalm 46:1 in context

The verses around it, from Psalm 46.

1 For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth is transformed and the mountains are toppled into the depths of the seas,

3 though their waters roar and foam and the mountains quake in the surge. Selah

4 There is a river whose streams delight the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.

5 God is within her; she will not be moved. God will help her when morning dawns.

6 Nations rage, kingdoms crumble; the earth melts when He lifts His voice.

7 The LORD of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

8 Come, see the works of the LORD, who brings devastation upon the earth.

9 He makes wars to cease throughout the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the shields in the fire.

10 “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted over the earth.”

11 The LORD of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Read all of Psalm 46

Psalm 46:1 in other translations

KJV

To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God [is] our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

ASV

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah; set to Alamoth. A Song. God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

ERV

For the Chief Musician: a Psalm of the sons of Korah; set to Alamoth. A Song. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Where this verse shows up on Great Faith

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All of Psalm 46 Psalm 46:2 →

Scripture quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible, which is free of copyright restrictions for use on websites. Read the full Bible on Great Faith.