Selected Psalms: 46 and 27

Notes on Psalm 46, the basis for "A Mighty Fortress is our God."

• "Of Sabaoth Lord" (stanza 2) is appropriately rendered "Lord of hosts" in the ESV.
• v. 1 - "our" is better rendered "for us" - on our side! See Romans 8:31 for a parallel.
• What kind of troubles? Massive earthquakes, hurricanes, etc. See Matthew 21:21 for an odd take - can bad be good?
• v. 4a - a better water. Viewing through a Christ-centered perspective, relate this to Jesus (John 7:37ff). The streams of Baptism make us glad. (No one stole your Baptism today, did they?)
• v. 4b - God lives in us by faith. Contrast Ezekiel 10, wherein the Glory leaves the Temple.
• v. 5b - most battles began at dawn. God wins. Period.
• v. 6 - see also Psalm 29:3-4 and 2 Peter 3:10. The earth will be melted.
• v. 7 - refrain, repeated in v. 11. "Sabaoth." Also note "God of Jacob" and see Exodus 15:3-4, Isaiah 7:14, and Matthew 1:23.
• v. 10 - "Be still, my soul" and 1 Kings 19. Be still sometimes!
  

Notes on Psalm 27, so wonderful that it almost needs no comment.

• v. 1 - soaked with Christ: "the Lord," "light," and "salvation" (after all, "Jesus" means "savior").
• v. 3 - see 2 Kings 6, 7, and 19 for examples of God's deliverance.
• v. 4 - see Psalms 23, 122, and Luke 2. v. 5 - Ps. 91. v. 6 - Ps. 3, 23. v. 8 - seeking God: Isaiah 55:6; Ps. 77:2, 105:3. v. 9 - Ps. 69:17, 102:2. v. 10 - Gal. 4:4-6 (God's adoption). v. 11 - Ps. 25:4-5, much in Ps. 119. v. 13 - hope of eternal life. v. 14 - waiting for God in trouble: Ps. 31:24, 37:9, 34, and Is. 40:31.