1000 Songs/God is our refuge and strength Ps 046

God is our refuge and strength Ps 046

Text

Psalm 46 New King James Version (NKJV)

God the Refuge of His People and Conqueror of the Nations To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. A Song for Alamoth.

46 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah 4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. 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, Who has made desolations in the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns 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

Author

The sons of Korah composed Psalm 46. These Korahites were sons of Korah, Esau's son, and performed priestly duties.

Translations/Challenges

Referenced in Jewish prayers, Psalm 46 was also paraphrased in a hymn by Martin Luther, entitled "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God."

Luther's hymn underwent at least 70 translations into the English language, the texts of a few are provided below.

Thomas Carlyle: "A Safe Stronghold Our God is Still".

Catherine Winkworth in Pennsylvanian Lutheran Church Book: "A Mighty Fortress is Our God, a Trusty Shield and Weapon" (2nd Source)

The challenges to the most commonly used translation of Frederick H. Hedge's authorship.

A lovely contemporary composition inspired by Psalm 46 was composed by Jenny and Tyler Somers.

Editor's Choice

Personally, Jenny and Tyler provide a fresh and, yet, very Scripturally based song that brings the timeless truths and deep theology of the past into the reach of our culture and context.

Music

Concerning Luther's hymn, the music underwent a significant amount of changes.

Text and music of Thomas Carlyle's "A Safe Stronghold Our God is Still."

Tune

Also originating from Luther, "the original melody is extremely rhythmic," due to the importance given to the words, and set to a new, and therefore, unfamiliar meter. Here is an example of his original musical setting of "Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott."

The isometric meter that is used today had solidified by the time of J. S. Bach, who set the tune, "Ein Feste Burg," to the harmony from his Cantata No. 80.

Arrangements

Of Luther's hymn, "A Mighty Fortress is Our God."

Many of the arrangements of Luther's "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" can be found here, including: instrumental, piano/organ with congregation, handbell, and choral settings.

Editor's Choice

My choice of Jenny and Tyler's song "Psalm 46," strongly rests on the musical form and harmonies. The contemporary worship harmonies are combined with acoustic/folk style and some color chords, lending harmonic freshness to the deep truths of this Psalm inspired song.