Be still, and know, &c.— The Psalmist here represents God as speaking with a majesty becoming him; immediately after which, he congratulates his subjects upon their having this great God for their deliverer. His imagination was so rapid, that it would not suffer him to connect his expressions, but he, as it were, felicitates himself and his people, and breaks forth into the triumphal expression, The Lord of hosts is with us, &c. leaving them to infer, and make the proper use of the expression.
REFLECTIONS.—1st, Amid the furious attacks of enraged foes, the name of our God is a strong tower, into which the righteous runneth and is safe. We have here David professing his own and the church's confidence in God, amid the most threatening appearances, and giving his reasons for such his hope.
1. They are safe amid all the tumults of this disordered world. God is our refuge, who shall pluck us thence? our strength, who shall be able to stand before us thus supported? a very present help in trouble, to extricate from every difficulty, and very near to succour and save us. Therefore will not we fear; there is no shadow of ground for it, seeing that he who is for us is most High, so infinitely surpassing in power all who are against us: And in the midst of her, his church, taking up his residence, and manifesting his presence in the believer's heart. In vain, therefore, the earth trembles and is dissolved, the mountains leap from their bases, the stormy billows roar and lash the rocky shores; in vain are all the attacks; in vain the threatenings of earth or hell; the church, and every faithful soul, is founded on a rock; not only safe from ruin, but secure from every terrifying fear; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and make her adversaries lick the dust, and that right early; quickly, or when the morning appears; the night of trouble shall be short, and the welcome morning of deliverance and joy arise. Note; (1.) When danger is most alarming, faith should be most in exercise. (2.) The changes and revolutions of this sublunary globe, can little affect those whose souls are fixed on things above. (3.) They need not fear, and shall not fall, who make God their refuge and strength.
2. They are comforted as well as secure. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God: a river of never-ceasing consolations, whose streams no foe can interrupt; there, like the waters of Siloa, sweetly flow into the faithful soul in the midst of every trial, and fill him with joy as well as peace in believing; he is the city where God delights to dwell, and the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High, being made the habitation of God through the Spirit. Note; If we enjoy divine communications of grace and comfort, we are amply repaid for all the storms and tempests raised by a world which lieth in wickedness.
2nd, Who can stand when God appeareth?
1. His foes are routed and destroyed. The heathen raged against his church and people; of old, Rome pagan, and, of later days, Rome papal, and all the antichristian enemies of his children; and the kingdoms were moved, stirred up to war against the saints of the most High: but he uttered his voice, and at the breath of his lips the earth melted; all these collected forces dissolved as the snow before the sun. Thus, under the wings of Jacob's God, the God of hosts, we are not only protected, but by his power triumphant. Come, behold the works of the Lord, with wonder see his glorious interposition, what desolations he hath made in the earth upon all his furious adversaries: the desolations of Judaea, the downfal of the Roman monarchy, mark his avenging rod: and from these we may be assured the present powers of Antichrist, whether popish or mahomedan, shall alike, with their carcases, strew the ground; nor will he cease till all his enemies are made his footstool; when, their power utterly broken, and all their armour, wherein they trusted, spoiled, and consumed, the war shall cease, and his people enjoy for ever the fruits of that glorious and eternal peace which he hath obtained for them. For,
2. They are bid only to be still, to wait upon the Lord, without distraction, and know that I am God; believe my power and love, and ye shall assuredly see my great salvation; and that displayed not more for their comfort and safety, than for his own glory: I will be exalted among the heathen, who oppose his kingdom and interests, by their destruction; I will be exalted in the earth, by subduing the nations of the world to the obedience of the faith, and setting up the throne of the Redeemer from pole to pole. Such promises may therefore well silence all our fears, and confirm our confidence. The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge.