On Psalm 46—Part 2

(Ps 46:6)MKJV The nations raged, the kingdoms were shaken; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.

The statement that "the nations raged" fits particularly well the time of the end.

(Rev 6:4)KJV And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.

(Mk 13:8) For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.

We also read in Ps 46:6 that "kingdoms were shaken". Wars will shake kingdoms, and the return of the Lord will shake all remaining kingdoms.

(Is 24:21) And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth.
(Is 24:22) And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited.

Ps 46:6 mentions also that "the earth melted". If taken figuratively, the statement describes the fear of those who will experience the return of the Lord. A literal interpretation is also possible, for we read in 2Pt 3:12 of melting elements.

(2Pt 3:10)NKJV But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
(2Pt 3:11) Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
(2Pt 3:12) looking for and hasting the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?

When the Lord returns, he will "gather out of his kingdom all things that offend" (Mt 13:41), "in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God" (2Th 1:8). These passages do not state that the Lord will burn everything that is on earth. However, since much of what will be found on earth will be offensive, much of it will be burned. Since the heavens will pass away (2Pt 3:10) while the elements will only be melted, it is clear that the elements are not part of the heavens. Rather, they must refer to materials from which the things that offend are made. When these will be burned, some of the elements from which they consist will melt. The elements that will melt will become reusable, and perhaps they will be reused. In this interpretation, the heavens and the elements (2Pt 3:10, 12) refer to what is above the earth (the heavens) and what is on earth (the elements).

(Ps 46:7)KJV The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
(Ps 46:8) Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
(Ps 46:9) 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.

The phrase "unto the end of the earth" speaks of the fact that wars will cease everywhere. In Ge 1:10 the Lord called the dry land "earth". Thus, "unto the end of the earth" corresponds to "unto the end of the dry land" or "unto the seashore", that is, wherever people live. Now, the book of Revelation speaks of widespread devastations preceding the return of the Lord. While many devastations are caused by men, nothing can happen without the Lord deciding first that it will happen (Lam 3:37-38). In view of Rev 16:9, we could conclude that this truth will be understood among the unbelievers living in those times. Therefore, we could interpret Ps 46:8 as an invitation to acknowledge God's power and give him the glory. In view of the things that will be taking place at the return of the Lord, Ps 46-8-9 invites unbelievers to abandon all opposition and submit themselves to the Lord.

(Ps 46:10)NKJV Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!

The word translated "be still" means also "abandon, refrain, forsake, let go". For instance, the same verb appears also in "He will not leave you nor forsake you" (De 31:6)NKJV. When the Lord returns, he will bring peace. In addition to Ps 46:9, another passage speaking on this topic is Is 2:4.

(Is 2:4) And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

(Zec 14:9) And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.

The Lord only will be worshiped at that time. Moreover, the statement that his name will be one indicates that only his true identity will be considered, the one given in the Bible. In spite of the difficult times preceding the return of the Lord, those who are his have nothing to fear, for God is with them and he is their refuge.

(Ps 46:11) The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

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