The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Come, behold the works of the LORD,
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.
“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Comment: In the earlier part of this Psalm the special relationship of God to Israel is highlighted. But what about other nations? Nations are said to rage against God, and certainly we see that at this present time in history. They totter and fail! Certainly the verses ‘He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.‘ seem to be wrong if we only look at ‘the here and now’. But it gives us great hope for the future when God will act to silence His enemies! When our hearts are disturbed by the horrific mess which our nations are in, the psalm challenges us, even making it a direct quote from God’s own mouth, ‘Be still and KNOW that I am God.’ Selah – think on that!
Prayer: I would hear Thy still, small voice amidst the tumult of daily living, O Lord!
As I read it! 