Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 46:6
The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
6. The heathen raged ] Or, the nations roared; a word commonly used of the tumultuous noise of a multitude or an army (Psa 83:2; Isa 17:12). The same words ( roared were moved), which were used in Psa 46:2-3 of convulsions of the earth, are applied to commotions among the nations; but the change of tense shews that while Psa 46:2-3 are hypothetical, Psa 46:6 refers to an actual experience.
he uttered his voice ] God has but to speak with His voice of thunder, and earth melts in terror: its inhabitants with all their proud Titanic boastings are dissolved. Cp. Isa 29:6; Isa 30:30 f; Exo 15:15; Amo 9:5; Psa 75:3; Psa 76:8. The rhythm of short abrupt clauses without a conjunction recalls that of Exo 15:9-10.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The heathen raged – The nations were in commotion, or were agitated like the waves of the sea. This language would well describe the consternation of the nations when the Assyrians went forth to conquest, and when, having subdued so many other kingdoms, they made war on Jerusalem. Compare Isa 36:18-20.
The kingdoms were moved – That is, those who were invaded, as well as those that made the invasion. There was a general convulsion or shaking among the nations of the earth.
He uttered his voice – God spoke; he gave command; he expressed his will. Compare Gen 1:3; Hab 3:6.
The earth melted – The very earth seemed to melt or dissolve before him. Everything became still. The danger passed away at his command, and the raging world became calm. The Bible abounds in language of this kind, showing the absolute power of God, or his power to control all the raging elements on land and ocean by a word. Compare the notes at Psa 33:9. See also Psa 107:25, Psa 107:29; Mat 8:26.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 6. The heathen raged] There had been terrible wars on all hands, and mighty states were crushed, when the poor Jews were, by the especial favour of God, kept in peace and safety. Kingdoms were moved while they were preserved.
He uttered his voice] These words seem to refer to thunder, lightning, and earthquake. The expressions, however, may be figurative, and refer to the wars and desolations already mentioned. God gave the command; and one empire was cast down, and another was raised up.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The heathen raged, to wit, against God, and against his people.
He uttered his voice; either he thundered, or he spake to them in his wrath, as is said, Psa 2:5.
The earth melted; the inhabitants of the earth who were combined against Zion were dispirited and consumed.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
6. (Compare Ps46:2).
earth meltedall powersdissolved by His mere word (Psa 75:3;Hos 2:22).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
The Heathen raged,…. As they did at Christ’s first coming, against him, his Gospel, and people; and which continued during the three first centuries; and then the Pagan kingdoms belonging to the Roman empire were removed; since then another sort of Heathens, the Papists, have raged, in violent persecutions and bloodshed of the saints and martyrs of Jesus, and will rage again, about and at the downfall of Babylon; see Re 11:18;
the kingdoms were moved; either from their Pagan or Papal religion, and became subject to Christ. So it was at the downfall of Rome Pagan; and so it will be at the downfall of Rome Papal; when the kings of the earth shall hate the whore, make her desolate, and burn her flesh with fire. Or they shall be destroyed; that is, those that shall be gathered together in Armageddon, to make war with the Lamb; see
Re 16:14;
he uttered his voice, the earth melted; like wax, as the inhabitants of the earth do at the voice of his thunder, and as antichrist will at the breath of his mouth; and all within the Romish jurisdiction, signified by “the earth”, as it often is in the book of the Revelation, when the voice of the mighty angel shall be heard, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen”, Re 18:1.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
| Confidence in God. | |
6 The heathen 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, what desolations he hath made in the earth. 9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. 10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. 11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
These verses give glory to God both as King of nations and as King of saints.
I. As King of nations, ruling the world by his power and providence, and overruling all the affairs of the children of men to his own glory; he does according to his will among the inhabitants of the earth, and none may say, What doest thou? 1. He checks the rage and breaks the power of the nations that oppose him and his interests in the world (v. 6): The heathen raged at David’s coming to the throne, and at the setting up of the kingdom of the Son of David; compare Psa 2:1; Psa 2:2. The kingdoms were moved with indignation, and rose in a tumultuous furious manner to oppose it; but God uttered his voice, spoke to them in his wrath, and they were moved in another sense, they were struck into confusion and consternation, put into disorder, and all their measures broken; the earth itself melted under them, so that they found no firm footing; their earthly hearts failed them for fear, and dissolved like snow before the sun. Such a melting of the spirits of the enemies is described, Jdg 5:4; Jdg 5:5; and see Luk 21:25; Luk 21:26. 2. When he pleases to draw his sword, and give it commission, he can make great havoc among the nations and lay all waste (v. 8): Come, behold the works of the Lord; they are to be observed (Ps. lxvi. 5), and to be sought out, Ps. cxi. 2. All the operations of Providence must be considered as the works of the Lord, and his attributes and purposes must be taken notice of in them. Particularly take notice of the desolations he has made in the earth, among the enemies of his church, who thought to lay the land of Israel desolate. The destruction they designed to bring upon the church has been turned upon themselves. War is a tragedy which commonly destroys the stage it is acted on; David carried the war into the enemies’ country; and O what desolations did it make there! Cities were burnt, countries laid waste, and armies of men cut off and laid in heaps upon heaps. Come and see the effects of desolating judgments, and stand in awe of God; say, How terrible art thou in thy works! Ps. lxvi. 3. Let all that oppose him see this with terror, and expect the same cup of trembling to be put into their hands; let all that fear him and trust in him see it with pleasure, and not be afraid of the most formidable powers armed against the church. Let them gird themselves, but they shall be broken to pieces. 3. When he pleases to sheathe his sword, he puts an end to the wars of the nations and crowns them with peace, v. 9. War and peace depend on his word and will, as much as storms and calms at sea do, Psa 107:25; Psa 107:29. He makes wars to cease unto the end of the earth, sometimes in pity to the nations, that they may have a breathing-time, when, by long wars with each other, they have run themselves out of breadth. Both sides perhaps are weary of the war, and willing to let it fall; expedients are found out for accommodation; martial princes are removed, and peace-makers set in their room; and then the bow is broken by consent, the spear cut asunder and turned into a pruning-hook, the sword beaten into a ploughshare, and the chariots of war are burned, there being no more occasion for them; or, rather, it may be meant of what he does, at other times, in favour of his own people. He makes those wars to cease that were waged against them and designed for their ruin. He breaks the enemies’ bow that was drawn against them. No weapon formed against Zion shall prosper, Isa. liv. 17. The total destruction of Gog and Magog is prophetically described by the burning of their weapons of war (Eze 39:9; Eze 39:10), which intimates likewise the church’s perfect security and assurance of lasting peace, which made it needless to lay up those weapons of war for their own service. The bringing of a long war to a good issue is a work of the Lord, which we ought to behold with wonder and thankfulness.
II. As King of saints, and as such we must own that great and marvellous are his works, Rev. xv. 3. He does and will do great things,
1. For his own glory (v. 10): Be still, and know that I am God. (1.) Let his enemies be still, and threaten no more, but know it, to their terror, that he is God, one infinitely above them, and that will certainly be too hard for them; let them rage no more, for it is all in vain: he that sits in heaven, laughs at them; and, in spite of all their impotent malice against his name and honour, he will be exalted among the heathen and not merely among his own people, he will be exalted in the earth and not merely in the church. Men will set up themselves, will have their own way and do their own will; but let them know that God will be exalted, he will have his way will do his own will, will glorify his own name, and wherein they deal proudly he will be above them, and make them know that he is so. (2.) Let his own people be still; let them be calm and sedate, and tremble no more, but know, to their comfort, that the Lord is God, he is God alone, and will be exalted above the heathen; let him alone to maintain his honour, to fulfil his own counsels and to support his own interest in the world. Though we be depressed, yet let us not be dejected, for we are sure that God will be exalted, and that may satisfy us; he will work for his great name, and then no matter what becomes of our little names. When we pray, Father, glorify thy name, we ought to exercise faith upon the answer given to that prayer when Christ himself prayed it, I have both glorified it and I will glorify it yet again. Amen, Lord, so be it.
2. For his people’s safety and protection. He triumphs in the former: I will be exalted; they triumph in this, v. 7 and again v. 11. It is the burden of the song, “The Lord of hosts is with us; he is on our side, he takes our part, is present with us and president over us; the God of Jacob is our refuge, to whom we may flee, and in whom we may confide and be sure of safety.” Let all believers triumph in this. (1.) They have the presence of a God of power, of all power: The Lord of hosts is with us. God is the Lord of hosts, for he has all the creatures which are called the hosts of heaven and earth at his beck and command, and he makes what use he pleases of them, as the instruments either of his justice or of his mercy. This sovereign Lord is with us, sides with us, acts with us, and has promised he will never leave us. Hosts may be against us, but we need not fear them if the Lord of hosts be with us. (2.) They are under the protection of a God in covenant, who not only is able to help them, but is engaged in honour and faithfulness to help them. He is the God of Jacob, not only Jacob the person, but Jacob the people; nay, and of all praying people, the spiritual seed of wrestling Jacob; and he is our refuge, by whom we are sheltered and in whom we are satisfied, who by his providence secures our welfare when without are fightings, and who by his grace quiets our minds, and establishes them, when within are fears. The Lord of hosts, the God of Jacob, has been, is, and will be with us–has been, is and will be our refuge: the original includes all; and well may Selah be added to it. Mark this, and take the comfort of it, and say, If God be for us, who can be against us?
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
6 The peoples raged Since the Church of God is never without enemies, and these very powerful, and such as consequently fight against her with cruel and unbridled fury, the prophet now confirms from experience the doctrine which he had advanced concerning the impregnable character of the divine protection. He then deduces from it this general ground of consolation, That it belongs continually to God to restrain and quell all commotions, and that his arm is strong enough to break all the efforts of the enemy. This passage, I admit, might be understood in a more general sense, as meaning that the city of God is liable to be assailed by many storms and tempests; but that by the favor of God she is, nevertheless, always preserved in safety. It is, however, more probable, as I have already said at the beginning, that the Psalmist is here speaking of some notable deliverance, in which God had given a striking proof of the power and favor which he exercises in the constant preservation of the Church. Accordingly, he relates what had taken place, namely, that the enemies of the Church came with a dreadful host to waste and destroy it; but that immediately, by the voice of God, they, as it were, melted and vanished away. From this we derive an invaluable ground of consolation, when it is said, That although the whole world rise up against us, and confound all things by their increased madness, they can be brought to nought in a moment, as soon as God shows himself favorable towards us. The voice of God, no doubt, signifies his will or command; but the prophet, by this expression, seems to have an eye to the promises of God, by which he has declared, that he will be the guardian and defender of the Church. At the same time, let us observe the contrast which is here stated between the voice of God and the turbulent commotions of the kingdoms of this world.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(6) The absence of conjunctions, and sudden change from the preterite to the future, lends a vividness to the picture.
Raged heathen, tottered kingdoms
Gave with His voice (the signal) (and lo !)
Melts the earth.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
6. The heathen raged Compare Isa 10:24-34, on Sennacherib’s entrance into Judah, and 2Ki 18:17-35, on his blasphemous boasting.
He uttered his voice The voice of God is opposed to the arrogant and impious boasting of the enemy. This availed nothing, that caused the earth to melt, that is, the hearts of the enemy to dissolve in fear. See also Jos 2:9. The Hebrew , ( kohl,) “voice,” does not always apply to the human “voice,” or even to articulate sound; but always means an audible sound of some sort of definite import, as “a voice of rain,” (thunder,) 1Ki 18:41; and “ voice of chariots, and voice of horses,” 2Ki 7:6. So “the voice of a marching in the tops of the mulberry trees,” 2Sa 5:24, (where see note,) might have been caused by a wind miraculously ordered. Isaiah (Isa 37:7) describes the overthrow of Sennacherib’s army to have been by a blast, or wind, ( ,) which would fitly apply to the simoon, the scourge and terror of Palestine and the Desert. See on Psa 103:16; Psa 11:6. Though its approach is heard at a great distance, in this case it awoke no soldier, owing to the preternatural sleep referred to in Psa 76:6, where see note.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
How was this accomplished in the wars of Joshua? Jos 10:12 . How was it in the wars of our spiritual Joshua? Joh 18:6 . Reader, how is it now when God the Holy Ghost speaks in the hearts, and to the heart’s of sinners? 1Co 14:25 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 46:6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
Ver. 6. The heathen raged ] Among themselves, and against the Church (Christ mystical, as Psa 2:1-2 ) with great three and fury: Quia ab ascensore suo Daemone perurgentur, as Bernard giveth the reason, because the devil rideth them, and spurreth them on.
The kingdoms were moved
He ultered his voice
The earth melted
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
heathen = nations.
raged. Same word as “roar”, Psa 46:3.
were moved = moved. Same word as in Psa 46:5.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
heathen: Psa 2:1-4, Psa 83:2-8, 2Ch 14:9-13, 2Ch 20:1, 2Ch 20:20-24, Isa 8:9, Isa 8:10, Isa 37:21-36
kingdoms: Isa 14:12-16
earth: Psa 68:8, Psa 97:5, Jos 2:9, Jos 2:11, Jos 2:24, Isa 64:1, Isa 64:2, Amo 9:5, Amo 9:13, Nah 1:5, Hab 3:5, Hab 3:6, Hab 3:10, Hab 3:11, 2Pe 3:10-12, Rev 6:13, Rev 6:14, Rev 20:11
Reciprocal: 1Ki 20:20 – the Syrians 2Ki 19:28 – thy rage 2Ki 19:34 – I will defend Psa 76:10 – remainder Psa 96:10 – Say Isa 23:11 – stretched Isa 29:5 – at an Isa 30:30 – the Lord Isa 33:3 – General Isa 33:13 – Hear Isa 37:29 – rage Isa 37:36 – and when Jer 50:42 – their voice Jer 51:16 – he uttereth Joe 2:11 – utter Hag 2:21 – I will
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 46:6-7. The heathen raged At Davids coming to the throne, and at the setting up of the kingdom of the Son of David. Compare Psa 2:1-2. The kingdoms were moved With indignation, and rose up in a tumultuous, furious manner to oppose it. He uttered his voice He spake unto them in his wrath, Psa 2:5, and they were moved in another sense; they were struck into confusion and consternation, put into disorder, and all their measures broken. The earth melted So that they found no firm footing; their earthly hearts failed them for fear, and dissolved like snow before the sun. The Lord of hosts is with us He who commands all the armies of heaven is on our side. Why then should we be afraid? The God of Jacob is our refuge That God who preserved our forefather Jacob in all his distresses, and hath made a gracious covenant with his posterity, defends us as in an impregnable fortress, where we need not fear any danger.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
When nations lifted themselves up in opposition to God and Israel, the Lord overthrew them (cf. Psa 2:1-2). His mighty word even caused the earth to melt, a figurative description of the awesome power of God (cf. Genesis 1). Therefore the God who preserved Jacob would also protect the Israelites. He controls the unseen armies of heaven. He is a Person to whom His people can flee for refuge when enemies attack.