Psalms 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Study Note
Study Note
'God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble' — one of the most memorized verses in the Psalter, this opening line of Psalm 46 became the theological wellspring for Luther's 'A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,' the anthem of the Reformation. The Hebrew 'present help' (nimtsa me'od) is more literally 'abundantly found' — God is not occasionally discoverable but lavishly available in trouble. The psalm's threefold structure (verses 1-3, 4-7, 8-11) moves from natural upheaval to city security to universal peace, all anchored in the divine presence expressed in the opening verse.
Other Translations
God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
To the Overseer. --By sons of Korah. `For the Virgins.' --A song. God <FI>is<Fi> to us a refuge and strength, A help in adversities found most surely.
God is our harbour and our strength, a very present help in trouble.
Cross References
And Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with psalteries on Alamoth;
That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, …
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have …
The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
I cried unto thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the …
Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
His foundation is in the holy mountains.
Lord, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.
How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!