Below was an assignment submitted for seminary. I am posting it here as a reminder that a blog post is not a seminary assignment. I am reminding myself to not write like this. Write like a normal person!

The assignment was on Psalm 46.

Psalm 46 (NIV)

God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

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

Come and see what the Lord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields[d] with fire.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

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

What imagery is used Psalm 46 that the implied reader would have understood?

In Psalm 46 imagery revolving around natural disasters and nations warring is used, invoking fear as well as comfort to the original readers. Great feeling of distress would have been felt when the readers would have been thinking about the destruction from the earth giving way (v.2), the mountains trembling and being moved (vv.2-3), the waters roaring, foaming and swelling (v.3). In addition to the immediate physical dangers associated with these natural disasters, Mays notes in his commentary that these disasters were associated with the instability of the earth itself and warring gods by the Canaanites. (Mays 2011, 183-184). Using imagery of the time, verses 4-5 connect and transition the motif from nature to nations, stating that the Most High dwells in the city of God with a river that makes the city glad. (Mays 2011, 184-185). More fear and distress would have felt by those reflecting on images of nations raging, kingdoms tottering, and the earth melting when God utters his voice (v.6). War, national “instability” and “historical chaos” (Mays 2011, 184) make the readers think of suffering as well as the loss of life and property. Starting in verse 8, the theme changes to more comforting imagery. The psalmist states God is in control of war and peace, being able to stop wars and destroy the weapons of war: the bow, spear and chariot. Repeated throughout the psalm in verses 1, 7 and 11, it is remembered that God has been there and is with them as a refuge and fortress as “the God of Jacob”.

What was the implied author's communicative intention?

The psalmist wants the nation of Israel be comforted in the face of natural disasters and warring nations. Using specific symbolism known to the original readers and the culture surrounding them, the author of Psalm 46 wants the reader to know that God, the Lord of Hosts is with the Nation of Israel and he is in control of the nations. The psalmist states these truths to eliminate fear. Many symbols from other worldviews are used not to confirm those ideas, but to overcome any anxiety present. Their God, the God of Jacob is their refuge strength, help and fortress. The psalmist is reminding the reader of Israel's past and how the God of Jacob has been there for her. Because God is in control there is no need to make war or be afraid.

How do we (re)contextualize Psalm 46?

Because of Jesus, we have a relationship with God and his presence is with us. This truth brought comfort to the Israelites in the past when they faced natural disasters and wars. God’s presence still brings comfort and peace when we endure natural disasters and wars.

When this psalm was written, other worldviews were present and if believed, fear would follow. Today we have unprecedented worldwide communication and access to information. With this incredible technology, we are exposed to many diverse worldviews. It is important to be informed of these worldviews, at the sametime be convinced the Christian worldview is true and brings peace from anxiety. This is a very similar challenge to those in Israel confronting those from neighboring nations.

Often Psalm 46:10 is often taken out of context as instruction for personal meditation, stillness and quietness. Clarification and even correction is needed. When this psalm was written, the author was instructing the nation of Israel and surrounding nations to be still and not make war. Today, Christians live under a new covenant, and the global church is made up of many people from many different nations to create “a holy nation” (1 Peter 2:9). To apply this to today, members of God’s universal church can be reminded to rely on his power to grow the church as opposed to trying to grow the church by our own means: by “making war” with those who have different worldviews than ours. It’s very common to “make war” through social media posts and comment sections. When we read something in our feed that upsets us, it is appropriate to remember Psalm 46:10, “be still” and not respond at all or in gentle, non-warlike fashion. When we feel that you have to defend the gospel, have no fear. Take refuge in God. He is with us. God is in control of his church. He will be exalted throughout the whole earth by his power. Not that we do not have any responsibility as his ambassadors, but the Holy Spirit gives us power to be his witness and spread the gospel (Acts 1:8).