Psalm 46:1
For the Chief Musician. By the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
World English Bible, updated 66-book edition (engwebp). Text provenance and public-domain notice.
Read the full chapter: Psalms 46
1 For the Chief Musician. By the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we won’t be afraid, though the earth changes, though the mountains are shaken into the heart of the seas;
3 though its waters roar and are troubled, though the mountains tremble with their swelling. Selah.
4 There is a river, the streams of which make the city of God glad, the holy place of the tents of the Most High.
5 God is within her. She shall not be moved. God will help her at dawn.
6 The nations raged. The kingdoms were moved. He lifted his voice and the earth melted.
7 The LORD of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
8 Come, see the LORD’s works, what desolations he has made on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth. He breaks the bow, and shatters the spear. He burns the chariots in the fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted on the earth.”
11 The LORD of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Context for study
The psalm opens with a shared confession: God is our refuge, strength and help in trouble. The next lines picture the earth changing and mountains shaking into the sea. Their “therefore” connects courage to the opening confession while leaving the trouble in the scene. This is confidence in God amid upheaval, not a statement that faithful people never encounter danger. The heading is retained with verse 1 in this World English Bible source.
A question to explore
How does “therefore” in verse 2 connect the three descriptions of God in verse 1 to the scenes of upheaval in verses 2–3?