God speaks … PEACE BE STILL.  So the Psalm ends with the same theme as it began.

11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

We know from history that Jerusalem has been attacked on many occasions.  On two major occasions its walls were breached with the Babylonians and then much later, the Romans.  This Psalm wants us to sweep on into the city, and come down where the temple stands.  Consider what happens if those walls come down, the temple is destroyed.  What if God’s people endure captivity or struggle with trouble?

Come with me now into the Psalm itself.  Psalm 46 breaks into three parts each marked with that word Selah.  So Selah is helpful for us reading this Psalm.

Vs 1-3 God present in the trouble

vs 4-7 all about God’s peace and protection

vs 8-11 looking in to see what God is doing

Verses 1-3:  See how God is described in verse 1?

God is our refuge and strength, whose offer is ever present help.  Do not fear.

We get a change in view in vs 4-7:

While outside is turmoil, inside the city of God is peace.  A river runs through it, the temple where God’s people worship is still erect.  This is a description of Jerusalem as we see in verse 5.

5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.

Why the mention of break of day and the need for help?  As most army’s attacks occur at the breaking of the dawn.  God’s protection is total and effective. 

The second line, verse 6: 

he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

God will help.  Even when everywhere else is in turmoil, God will speak up and all the kingdoms will fall before his withering voice.

Then in vs 8-11, we are met with invitation:

Come and see what the LORD has done

Come see God bring peace.  Warfare ceases. God speaks … he calls the nations to attention.  He commands a halt to hostilities (verse 10)