A TESTED HELP

A TESTED HELP
Monday, October 5, 2020 by Leona Choy

A Fresh Slice of Daily Bread

HAVE YOU NOTICED? Just as Psalm 91 seemed to leap out of the Scriptures for our comfort early in our pandemic journey, so Psalm 46 is being widely quoted to assure us as we continue our mandated separation from one another not knowing what is coming next.

BACKSTORY: This is called a “war Psalm.” Something seriously wrong was going on here. People were afraid and searching desperately for hope and safety.

Specifically known as a Zion Song, this psalm was written to comfort the Jewish people. It is about the “what if” of society's collapse, political turmoil, the earth groaning with natural and manmade caatastrphes, but also about the assurance of divine intervention and rescue.

The "she" of verse 5 is not directed to women. Cities are referred to by the feminine pronoun in literature. Most Scripture scholars agree that “her” of verse 5 refers to Zion, the City of God, the New Jerusalem or Heaven. God is reminding the Jews that He is within that Eternal City, His dwelling place as the Most High, therefore it will not fall or be moved. God is their anchor.

This psalm was written first of all to a specific group of people about a specific situation. Nevertheless, its truths and promises are applicable to us for present help in all our times of trouble. The worst case scenario in the first verses could well describe our present age and beyond with the possibity of such “things to come.”

None of these calamities are able to “separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.” We have an abundance of Scripture to assure and comfort us that God is always with His people, the Church, the Body of Christ, the Kingdom of God. He will never leave us and will rescue and assist us in His perfect time.

We too live in a war zone both actual and virtual in our society and globally as a result of the pandemic, God is our safe refuge until the storm passes by. We can rely on the hope of The Eternal City to come. Let us be silent before God until He subdues all His enemies and we join Him in the Heavenly City of God.

As you probably know, not all of the Book of Psalms was written by King David. Other song writers were Asaph, the Sons of Korah, Solomon, Heman, Ethan, Moses and some unknown authors. They were written in Hebrew between the time of Moses (probably about 1440 BC) and the time following the Babylonian exile (after 538 BC).

The various poems were compiled into the present form and used for worship and devotion throughout the ages. Composed for choirs with musical instrument accompaniment, Hebrew poetry was not rhymed as is Western poetry but expressed as repeated couplet phrases sometimes with a refrain or chorus, as in this Psalm.

The Sons of Korah wrote this song for the choir director. Korah was a relative of Moses, his nephew. His musical sons were an important branch of singers known for their “loud praise voices.” (2 Chronicles 20:19) The story of Korah is found in Numbers 16.

King James Version (KJV)

PSALM 46

1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

4 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 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.

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations He hath made in the earth.

9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; He breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; He burneth the chariot in the fire.

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.

The Living Bible Paraphrase

Psalm 46

1 God is our refuge and strength, a tested help in times of trouble. 2 And so we need not fear even if the world blows up and the mountains crumble into the sea. 3 Let the oceans roar and foam; let the mountains tremble!

4 There is a river of joy flowing through the city of our God—the sacred home of the God above all gods. 5 God himself is living in that city; therefore it stands unmoved despite the turmoil everywhere. He will not delay his help. 6 The nations rant and rave in anger—but when God speaks, the earth melts in submission and kingdoms totter into ruin.

7 The Commander of the armies of heaven is here among us. He, the God of Jacob, has come to rescue us.

8 Come, see the glorious things that our God does, how he brings ruin upon the world 9 and causes wars to end throughout the earth, breaking and burning every weapon. 10 “Stand silent! Know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation in the world!”

11 The Commander of the heavenly armies is here among us! He, the God of Jacob, has come to rescue us!

Comments

Helga W. Bibbins From San Francisco At 10/29/2020 6:34:49 PM

Reconnecting. Thanks for writing. HWB

Reply by: Leona Choy

Dear Helga, I am praying for your safety and protection and well-being as you live in California in these troublesome times in our society. Fear not but trust in the providence of God.

Helga W. Bibbins From San Francisco At 10/29/2020 6:34:48 PM

Reconnecting. Thanks for writing. HWB

Helga W. Bibbins From San Francisco At 10/29/2020 6:34:48 PM

Reconnecting. Thanks for writing. HWB

Helga W. Bibbins From San Francisco At 10/29/2020 6:34:48 PM

Reconnecting. Thanks for writing. HWB

Helga Bibbins From San Francisco At 10/29/2020 1:29:37 PM

All is well. Thanks

Helga W Bibbins From California At 10/29/2020 10:48:17 AM

Thank you for your response.

Helga W Bibbins From California At 10/29/2020 10:48:16 AM

Thank you for your response.

Helga Bibbins From San Francisco At 10/26/2020 8:30:20 PM

Greetings-i have lost the communication line. Please send a sign of previous connections. Helga

Helga Bibbins From San Francisco At 10/21/2020 12:39:30 AM

Leona I do have a birth certificate in Chech and German. After WW II we came by train to West-Germany. 1953 i worked as a Kindergarten Teacher. From there i went to the US in 1962. Greetings , Helga

Reply by: Leona Choy

My father was born in RAdlice, Moravia, which is now The Czech Republic. My mother's family came from Siroky Dul near Policka also in the CZech lands. I was born in the U.S.

Helga Bibbins From San Francisco At 10/19/2020 10:44:25 AM

Leona just a answer to you question where i am from. I immigrated to the US from Germany under the displaced peoples act. I assume that is correctly stated. I came to the US in 1962. Greetings to you dear Leona

Reply by: Leona Choy

Are you living with family in California now? What is your age? Are you well through this pandemic and safe in the turmoil that is going on in the State of California?

Helga Bibbins From San Francisco At 10/19/2020 10:44:24 AM

Reply by: Leona Choy

Helga, do you speak the Czech language? I speak only "home-style" since my grandmother lived with us and didn't speak any English. Can you speak and read English well?

Helga Bibbins From San Francisco At 10/15/2020 12:34:54 AM

Leona in which part of the world did you eat this freshly baked bread which you so temptingly display in your opening paragraph for the day? HWB

Reply by: Leona Choy

Policka, small village in the Czech Republic with my heritage relatives. How about you?

Helga Bibbins From San Francisco At 10/12/2020 12:50:19 PM

Thanks for the wonderful historical setting for our pandemic situation. Pandemics have been accompanying us since biblical time. God is with us. Believe! Helga

Reply by: Leona Choy

Dear Helga, I pray for your safety there in California in these uncertain, perilous days. Christ is our only SOLID ROCK on which to stand even if the earth shakes beneath us and the seas roar. Jesus is in your boat, so be not afraid of any storm or quake or fire or virus or manmade evil agenda. Stay steadfast in your faith in God.