Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 46:3
[Though] the waters thereof roar [and] be troubled, [though] the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
3. As the text stands this verse must be treated, as in the A.V. and R.V., as a continuation of Psa 46:2. But the symmetrical structure of the Ps., resembling that of Psalms 42-43, makes it probable that the refrain ( Psa 46:7 ; Psa 46:11) has been lost. If it is restored, we may render:
Let the waters thereof rage and foam I
Let the mountains quake at the proud swelling thereof!
Jehovah of hosts is with us,
The God of Jacob is our high fortress.
Be all around us never so threatening, we are secure in the presence and protection of Jehovah. For the ‘proud swelling’ of the sea cp. Psa 89:9.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled – The waters of the sea. The idea is, that they would not be afraid though everything should be in commotion, and be as unsettled as the restless waves of the ocean. The earth might be changed, the mountains removed, the agitated sea roar and dash against the shore, but their minds would be calm. The word rendered be troubled means to boil; to ferment; to foam; and here it refers to the ocean as agitated and lashed into foam. Nothing is more sublime and fearful than the ocean in a storm; nothing furnishes a better illustration of the peace produced by confidence in God amid the agitations which occur in the world, than the mind of a seaman that is calm when the ocean is heaved in wild commotion.
Though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof – The rolling ocean breaking against; the sides of the mountains on its shore, and seeming to shake them to their foundation. The word rendered swelling means properly majesty, glory; then pride, haughtiness, insolence. Literally, though the mountains tremble through their pride. Compare Psa 124:5. On the word Selah, see the notes at Psa 3:2.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 3. Though the waters thereof roar] Waters, in prophetic language, signify people; and, generally, people in a state of political commotion, here signified by the term roar. And by these strong agitations of the people, the mountains – the secular rulers, shake with the swelling thereof – tremble, for fear that these popular tumults should terminate in the subversion of the state. This very people had seen all Asia in a state of war. The Persians had overturned Asia Minor, and destroyed the Babylonian empire: they had seen Babylon itself sacked and entered by the Persians; and Cyrus, its conqueror, had behaved to them as a father and deliverer. While their oppressors were destroyed, themselves were preserved, and permitted to return to their own land.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Though the sea be very tempestuous, and its waters (by which a multitude of people is oft signified, as Rev 17:1,15) rage, to Wit, against us, as appears from the following verses. Though its raging waves assault mighty princes and kingdoms, and make them shake and be ready to fall down.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
3. swellingwell representsthe pride and haughtiness of insolent foes.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
[Though] the waters thereof roar [and] be troubled,…. The noise of which causes men’s hearts to fail them for fear,
Lu 21:25;
[though] the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. All these figurative expressions denote the hurlyburlies, confusions, and disorders that have been or will be in the world; amidst all which the people of God have no reason to fear; for it is always well with the righteous, let it go how it will with others. The passage may be applied to the destruction of Jerusalem, and the wars preceding it, and the dispersion of the Jews upon it; when true believers in Christ found him to be their refuge, strength, and help in that time of trouble, such as never was the like, and were safe and without fear; and Aben Ezra, a Jewish commentator, thinks it is right to interpret this psalm concerning the wars of Jerusalem: moreover, these words may be applied to any other time of calamity, through war or persecution, that has been since; as also to any that is to come; as to the slaying of the witnesses, the hour of temptation that will try all that are upon the earth; and even to the day of judgment, when heaven and earth shall flee away from the face of the Judge; when the heavens shall be folded up as a garment, and the earth, and all that is therein, shall be burnt up, and the whole world of the ungodly shall be thrown into the utmost panic, the saints will be safe with Christ, and ever happy with him; and, in the worst of times in this world, God is always their covenant God, their shield, portion, and exceeding great reward; Christ is their Redeemer and Saviour, their city of refuge, and strong hold; and though they may be plundered of their goods and property, they have a better and a more enduring substance in heaven; an estate, an inheritance there, that can never be taken away; and even should their enemies kill the body, that is the utmost they can do; their souls are safe in the hands of Christ; their life is hid with him; and when he shall appear, they shall appear with him in glory; and therefore they may well say, “we will not fear” w.
Selah; on this word, [See comments on Ps 3:2].
w “Si fractus illabatur orbis”, &c. Horat. Carmin. l. 3. Ode. 3. v. 7.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
3 Though the waters thereof roar, etc This verse ought to be read in connection with the verse which follows, because it is necessary to complete the sense, as if it had been said: Though the waters of the sea roar and swell, and by their fierce impetuosity shake the very mountains — even in the midst of these dreadful tumults, the holy city of God will continue to enjoy comfort and peace, satisfied with her small streams. The relative pronoun her, according to the common usage of the Hebrew language, is superfluous in this place. The prophet intended simply to say, that the small streams of a river would afford to the holy city abundant cause of rejoicing, though the whole world should be moved and destroyed. I have already mentioned shortly before how profitable is the doctrine taught us in this place, that our faith is really and truly tested only when we are brought into very severe conflicts, and when even hell itself seems opened to swallow us up. In like manner, we have portrayed to us the victory of faith over the whole world, when, in the midst of the utmost confusion, it unfolds itself, and begins to raise its head in such a manner as that although the whole creation seem to be banded together, and to have conspired for the destruction of the faithful, it nevertheless triumphs over all fear. Not that the children of God, when placed in peril, indulge in jesting or make a sport of death, but the help which God has promised them more than overbalances, in their estimation, all the evils which inspire them with fear. The sentiment of Horace is very beautiful, when, speaking of the righteous man and the man who feels conscious of no guilt, he says, (Car., Lib. iii., Od. 3,)
“
Dux inquieti turbidus Adriae, Nec fulminantis magna Jovis manus, Si fractus illabitur orbis, Impavidum ferient ruinae.”
“
Let the wild winds that rule the seas, Tempestuous, all their horrors raise; Let Jove’s dread arm with thunders rend the spheres; Beneath the crush of worlds undaunted he appears.” (176)
But as no such person as he imagines could ever be found, he only trifles in speaking as he does. Their fortitude, therefore, has its foundation in the assurance of the divine protection alone, so that they who rely upon God, and put their trust in him, may truly boast, not only that they shall be undismayed, but also that they shall be preserved in security and safety amidst the ruins of a falling world.
(176) Francis’ Translation of Horace.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(3) Though the waters . . .The original is very expressive in its conciseness:
They roar, they foam, its waters.
Comp. Homers equally concise description, including in three words the rush, the swell, and the roar of ocean (Iliad, xxiii. 230).
Swelling.Or, pride. (Comp. Job. 38:11.) The change in construction in this verse seems to confirm the suspicion that the refrain has dropped away.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 46:3. Though the waters thereof roar We have before observed, that it is familiar with David to consider a vast host of the enemy under the idea of a flood of waters; a noble instance of which we have in this verse: and I should only beg leave to add David’s own comment upon it, as one of the finest instances of the sublime which the imagination can conceive, Psa 46:6. The heathen raged;the kingdoms were moved; he uttered his voice:the earth melted. Delaney, Life of David, b. 3: chap. 3.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Psa 46:3
Ver. 3. Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled ] Heb. Be mudded; yet we will not fear, viz. with base distrustful fear, Ut omnes procellae horribili cum boatu circumsonent. Tauti est experientiam sensumque auxilii divini habere. The tempestuous rising and roaring of the sea is so terrible, that Aristotle saith, whosoever feareth it not is either mad or senseless (Ethic. 3. 7). Fear not, saith the angel to St Paul himself in that dreadful storm, Act 27:24 , which implieth that be was afraid with a natural fear; and he might be so without sin. An awful fear of God is consistent with faith; neither is any believer guilty of a stoic apathy. The very devils believe and tremble, Jas 2:19 . The apostle’s word there implieth that they roar as the sea roareth, and shriek horribly.
Though the mountains shake, &c.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
waters thereof roar. Figure of speech Hypocatastasis (App-6), implying the raging of the Assyrian host without.
roar. Same word as “raged” (Psa 46:6).
Selah. Connecting the roaring of the waters without with the silent flowing river in the rock-cut channel beneath Zion, and contrasting the boastings of the enemy with the secret purposes of God. No refrain “dropped out” here, as some suggest. See the Structure above, and App-68.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
the waters: Psa 18:4, Psa 93:3, Psa 93:4, Job 38:11, Isa 5:3, Isa 17:12, Isa 17:13, Jer 5:22, Mat 7:25, Rev 17:15
mountains: Psa 114:4-7, Jdg 5:4, Jdg 5:5, 1Ki 19:11, Job 9:5, Job 9:6, Jer 4:24, Mic 1:4, Nah 1:5, Rev 16:20
Reciprocal: Gen 7:19 – and all the high hills Psa 29:8 – shaketh Pro 28:1 – the righteous Isa 24:18 – the foundations Jer 50:42 – their voice Luk 21:25 – the sea
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
46:3 [Though] the waters thereof {d} roar [and] be troubled, [though] the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
(d) Though the afflictions rage, yet the rivers of God’s mercies bring sufficient comfort to his.