My God in whom I trust.”
The verses 3-13 bring to the psalmist the assurance, presumably from God’s spokesman, the priest, that Yahwe will keep him under his constant protection, and that he need fear no peril however great. Finally in verses 14-16 the assurance is confirmed by a divine oracle, the voice of God, promising the psalmist deliverance from every trouble, long life and honor.
Among these psalms of faith ought certainly to be included Psalm 46. Although this psalm does not contemplate any present situation in life, it looks forward with confidence to the turmoil and conflict, that in the last days will precede Yahwe’s final victory and subsequent reign of righteousness and peace. The psalm is written, not from an individual but from a national point of view. Its motive is sounded forth in the refrain which occurs at verse 8 and verse 12, and which undoubtedly ought to be inserted after verse 4 to divide the psalm into three equal sections:
Yahwe of Hosts is with us,
A fortress for us is the God of Jacob.
It may accordingly be described as a national eschatological psalm of faith.
The psalm opens with the strong profession of faith of verse 2:
God is for us refuge and strength,
In troubles he proves himself help indeed.
Verses 3 and 4 introduce us to the dread and terrifying phenomena of the last days; yet are not the believers in Yahwe afraid: