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This psalm is a hymn, one of the songs of Zion (46, 48, 76, 84, 87, 121, 122). It has been a comfort to people who love the God of the Bible for thousands of years. Luther was moved by the psalm to write the hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”
Our Bible study rule for this week is:
RULE #5: Interpret each passage according to the historical, geographical, and cultural background available. You may use Bible Atlas’(maps), Marginal references, Bible dictionaries, Bible Encyclopedias, or other books on the Bible's culture, geography, archeology, and history to aid your study. Discover information about the original cultural setting. Don't back read American culture into the text.
I. God’s presence and power over nature 1–3
A. Confession: God is for us
B. Our true security is in God alone (Promise: She shall not be moved)
C. God is present with us during the storms of life
D. God is our Refuge, shelter, fortress, defense, protector—He is unchanging. An isolated and elevated place with additional man-made defenses
E. God gives us the strength to endure—He is enough
F. God is sovereign over the seas, mountains, rivers, floods, earthquakes, mud slides
G. When God shows up in judgment, there is radical shake-up of nature (Any of the days of the LORD, theophany)
II. God’s presence and power in judgment 4–7
A. The river symbolizes blessing and restoration
B. God’s protection of His city
C. God the Son, Jesus will reign in Jerusalem for 1000 years
D. The raging and warring of men against God’s people will ultimately fail
E. God will help His people (both ethnic and spiritual Israel)
F. El Elyon (Almighty God) is Yahveh of Armies
G. The Great King in Jerusalem destroys His enemies with his voice
H. God is with us, the God of Jacob (Ya’acov) is our strong defense (God chose Jacob in wonderful grace)
III. God’s presence and power on the earth 8–11
A. The works of Yahveh include Creation, Exodus, Conquest, deliverances during the Judges and Kings of Israel (Remember these works)
B. Come and see a vision, this part is prophetic
C. The works of God are also “acts of God”
C. God directs the destructions on the earth (Remember the Flood) (The Psalmist does not worship Mother Nature)
D. God is sovereign over the ending or wars
E. King Jesus’ reign alone will totally stop wars for a 1000 years, disarmament is by force
F. Your best weapons are no good fighting God
G. Rest in the sovereignty of God once you have exhausted your human responsibility
H. God plan includes all the ethnic groups of the world (1 family to reach the 70)
I. It is all about the glory of God, exalting God, it will be done!
I. Confession: God is with us, Yahveh of armies
J. The God of Jacob, the God of the Bible, He alone provides protection (God’s we make-up are idols who can do nothing)
Lessons to Live by:
• We can trust God during a hurricane, tornado, earthquake, fire, mud slide, etc. He has nature and even the devil on a chain.
• A close covenant relationship with the covenant God of the Bible is the only safe place in God’s universe.
• If God is for us, no one can successfully be against us.
• Jesus is coming back and will personally force all wars to cease. Peace treaties never work because of the radical depravity of man.
• Exalt God! Live for His glory alone.
