psalm 46 chiastic structure

Read Psalm 46 at Bible Gateway.

Psa 46 Hebrew paragraph divisions:

In the Psalms, there is an understood {s} division at the end of each numbered line, unless otherwise noted. When a new paragraph division occurs within a numbered line, it is marked by an {n} .

1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
6 The nations 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, Who has made desolations in the earth.
9a He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; {n}
9b He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
11 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. {p}

Psa 46:1-11 chiastic structure:

1a) Psa 46:1, God our refuge + present help in trouble;

1b) Psa 46:2-5, We will not fear though the earth be removed;

1a) Psa 46:2a, Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed;
1b) Psa 46:2b-3, The mountains carried in the midst of the sea;
central axis) Psa 46:4a, There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God;
2b) Psa 46:4b-5a, The holy place of the tabernacle, God is in the midst of her;
2a) Psa 46:5b, She shall not be moved, for God will help her.

1c) Psa 46:6, The nations raged + the kingdoms were moved when He uttered His voice;

central axis) Psa 46:7, The LORD of Hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge;

2c) Psa 46:8-9, The works of the LORD + makes wars to cease {n} and breaks the bow;

2b) Psa 46:10, Be still, and know that I am God;

2a) Psa 46:11, LORD with us + God our refuge. {p}

The most often repeated command in the Bible is not, Worship the Lord only, or even, Love the Lord your God with all your heart. It is, fear not. Do not be afraid. We will not fear even if the earth be removed, even if the mountains are cast into the midst of the sea. Even if the earth melts. We are citizens of the city of God, which shall not be moved, which shall not be cast or sink, which shall not melt. God is in the midst of us. God will help us! ♥