A Mighty Fortress is Our God
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
- Psalm 46:1-3, 7
One reason why God’s people continue to read the Bible with such care is because its message remains so relevant. For those who may wish to question the Bible’s relevance, I invite you to carefully read Psalm 46. You will see that this Psalm describes the human problem and provides the solution to our problem with a precision that goes unrivaled.
The problem disclosed in Psalm 46 is that the created order - the earth, mountains, and oceans - can quake and surge in a manner that overwhelms us humans. Who hasn’t been terrified after being swept into a surging river or ocean current? Who hasn’t become aware of one’s own helplessness after going through a tremendous earthquake? This Psalm recognizes these realities. The world we live in can become inhospitable to us humans who dwell here.
After recognizing the current problem in the created order (verses 2-3), Psalm 46 addresses the problem in human society (verse 6, 9). Nations maneuver. Kingdoms fall. Wars take place, and weapons are used. Who hasn’t experienced some angst at the threat of war and the craftiness of the nations, trying to outdo one another? Who hasn’t recognized that when kingdoms rise and fall, prosperity and peace change hands? These realities and their implications often fill us with worry and dread. What should we do?
It is in response to this urgent question that the Bible shines as the one book that provides us with eternally good news. Yes, many “experts” can diagnose our problems – scientists, philosophers, military generals, heads of state. But none of our contemporary experts can give us the solution that we really need: loving, caring, all-powerful, and never-ending help. We need One who is caring enough to come to our rescue, yet strong enough to protect us from the many threats around us. Incredibly, Psalm 46 states that such a Helper exists – The LORD Almighty, the God of Jacob (verse 7, 11).
The wonder of wonders is that the LORD Almighty, the Creator of all things, is on our side. That He would take such great interest in me, such great interest in you, is a reality that still stuns me. But His word is clear – it is God who tells us in this Psalm that He is an ever-present help in the midst of our troubles (verse 1). It is God who tells us that He dwells among His people (verse 5). The power of the LORD Almighty is entirely unmatched – all He has to do is lift His voice, and the earth melts (verse 6). He is the One who makes wars cease (verse 9). And the LORD Almighty sets the record straight: it will not be a mere human who is supremely exalted among the nations. Rather, God Himself will be supremely exalted among the nations and in the earth (verse 10). While our Lord’s day of exaltation will be terrifying for His enemies, for His people, it will be a day of great joy; for God Himself tells us that He is our impenetrable fortress (verse 7, 11).
It was this Psalm that inspired Martin Luther to write the great hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” As Luther realized, the deep truths in this Psalm are not primarily meant to be read, they are meant to be sung! You’ll see that Psalm 46 is a song, written for the director of music, as stated just before the beginning of verse 1. So I encourage you, read Psalm 46 tonight at the dinner table, and afterward, sing “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” out of the Psalter Hymnal (#469). This Psalm is the glorious victory anthem for all of us who acknowledge that the God of Jacob is indeed our mighty fortress.
~ Mark Elffers