Psalm 46

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. - Selah” Psalm 46:10-11 (NKJV)

Today’s psalm is subtitled “A Song For Alamoth.”  That Hebrew word is a plural for  “alma,” which means “virgin/young girl.”  It is a song written to be sung by a choir of young girls. So, what can we learn from that? Quite a bit!

First, at a glance, in a Biblical worship sense, it appears that men dominated the landscape of Old Testament Jewish worship. Today’s psalm indicates that corporate worship for Biblical Israel was not an all-male event with women passively standing by. Women participated as well. At times, the spotlight was on the ladies, with songs written specifically for women to present to the congregation.

Second, the imagery is feminine.  

“There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. -  Selah” Psalm 46:4-7 (NKJV)

And lastly, the message of the psalm specifically resonates with a woman’s core spiritual and emotional needs. While men tend to need to be reassured of their significance, women typically express that feeling secure is atop their core needs. Can’t you just picture this psalm being presented by a choir of young girls declaring that their security does not come from their personal beauty or from the man they may someday marry? It must have had a profound ministry impact, not only on women in attendance but also on the men who were seeking a woman of God who had her priorities firmly aligned with God’s Word, His plan, and purpose!

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling.  - Selah” Psalm 46:1-3 (NKJV)

The imagery of today’s psalm reminds me of Jesus’ words, contrasting how wise and foolish men build their houses. Wind and rain (difficult seasons) beat against all men’s houses, but the home built on the secure foundation of God endures.

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.”  Matthew 7:24-25 (NKJV)