Psalms 46:5
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
Original Language Analysis
אֱ֝לֹהִ֗ים
God
H430
אֱ֝לֹהִ֗ים
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
1 of 8
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
בְּ֭קִרְבָּהּ
is in the midst
H7130
בְּ֭קִרְבָּהּ
is in the midst
Strong's:
H7130
Word #:
2 of 8
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
בַּל
H1077
בַּל
Strong's:
H1077
Word #:
3 of 8
properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually (adverb) not at all; also lest
תִּמּ֑וֹט
of her she shall not be moved
H4131
תִּמּ֑וֹט
of her she shall not be moved
Strong's:
H4131
Word #:
4 of 8
to waver; by implication, to slip, shake, fall
אֱ֝לֹהִ֗ים
God
H430
אֱ֝לֹהִ֗ים
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
6 of 8
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
Cross References
Zechariah 2:5For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.Joel 2:27And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.Zephaniah 3:15The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.Ezekiel 43:7And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile, neither they, nor their kings, by their whoredom, nor by the carcases of their kings in their high places.Psalms 62:2He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.Isaiah 12:6Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.Psalms 112:6Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.Zechariah 8:3Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain.Psalms 62:6He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.Matthew 18:20For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Historical Context
This psalm belongs to the "Songs of Zion" celebrating Jerusalem as God's dwelling place. Likely written after Jerusalem's miraculous deliverance from Sennacherib's siege (701 BC, 2 Kings 18-19), when 185,000 Assyrian soldiers died overnight. Or possibly celebrating God's faithfulness during other threats to Jerusalem. The city's security wasn't military might but God's presence. Prophetically, it points to the New Jerusalem where God dwells fully with His people (Revelation 21:3), eternally secure.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's presence "in the midst" provide stability when circumstances threaten to shake your life?
- What does it mean that God's help comes "right early"—at daybreak after night's darkness—for situations you're currently facing?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The "her" refers to the city of God, Jerusalem, portrayed as feminine in Hebrew poetry (בַּת-צִיּוֹן/bat-tzion, "daughter Zion"). "God is in the midst" (אֱלֹהִים בְּקִרְבָּהּ/Elohim be-qirbah) emphasizes divine presence at the center, not periphery. "She shall not be moved" (בַּל-תִּמּוֹט/bal-timmot) uses emphatic negation—absolutely will not totter or fall. This isn't human security but divine protection. "Right early" (לִפְנוֹת בֹּקֶר/lifnot boqer) literally means "at the turn of morning" or "at daybreak"—God's help comes at the darkest hour, when dawn breaks. The verse expresses unshakeable confidence in God's protective presence within His dwelling place.