Book 2: Psalm 42-72 God’s presence going before us
Title: To the chief musician for the sons of Korah, a song upon Alamoth. Alamoth is a Hebrew word for female and is a musical reference to the soprano voice.
I. Safety and security is found in God alone. (1-3)
A. God’s presence during trouble is our refuge.
B. God’s peace is present in overwhelming distress. II. God’s presence provides safety in the face of danger. (4-7)
A. The presence of a river provides safety in the city.
B. God is present in His city, and He will help.III. Behold the work of God in defense of His people. (8-11)
A. Behold the desolations God has done for His people.
B. God destroys those who wage war against His people.
C. God commands His people to be still and know Him.
D. God is exalted in all the earth.
E. God’s dwells with His people, and they are safe.The historical reference for this psalm is widely believed to be the deliverance of Jerusalem following the invasion of Assyria during the reign of King Hezekiah around 700 BC. Greatly outnumbered, Jerusalem was surrounded. With no hope of deliverance or victory, King Hezekiah took the letter of demands and presented it to the Lord. That night, the angel of the Lord smote the Assyrian army and killed 185,000 men. Jerusalem was spared.
All too often we become so overwhelmed with the troubles around us that we neglect to see that God is in control and will work all things together for our good. What a blessing it is to learn the grace of trusting God, especially when our circumstances look hopeless.