Psalms 46, According to the Alamoth

To the choirmaster. 

A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.  According to Alamoth.  A Song. 

The Sons of Korah were in charge of what was allowed into the services, and the court of the tabernacle. Many of the Psalms are specifically called to their attention.

Shallum the son of Kore, son of Ebiasaph, son of Korah, and his kinsmen of his fathers’ house, the Korahites, were in charge of the work of the service, keepers of the thresholds of the tent, as their fathers had been in charge of the camp of the LORD, keepers of the entrance. 1Chr. 9:19

This is the only psalm specifically written for women. The Alamot or here Alamoth, these are the women who were seeking the coming Messiah. Obviously this was to be sung in the tabernacle by the women. It was only in the temple of the New Testament that we see a separate court of the women. They were not originally kept out.

• FYI: The reason for the separation is that the Rabbis claimed that it would be indiscreet to ask a woman if she was having her menses and therefore ceremonially unclean. Or what if a woman accidentally started her flow while in the temple, the in tire temple would be unclean. So they just barred them from the area. This is the result of the curse in that men will always rule over women.[Gen 3:16] However when Messiah walked the earth such a woman touched Him. He was not made unclean, she was made clean. [Mark 5:24-34]

There is surprisingly quite a bit of the imagery that comes right out of the three great prophetic books Daniel, Zechariah, and The Revelation. It presents us with the Kingdom in all its final glory and victory. It is said that Luther when he heard any discouraging news would say, “Come let us sing the 46th Psalm.”

This is our song ladies, we should know it.

1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 

2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change, 

though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; 

3 though its waters roar and foam, 

though the mountains tremble with its tumult. [Selah] 

First we are admonished that we are going to need to rely of God is this very present trouble. What is that trouble? The earth is about to change.

From the prophetic books we know that mountains are nation the sea are the many peoples of the earth. So here we see the nations falling from the hearts of the peoples. They no longer wish to separate themselves into people group alienated from God.

• FYI: Selah means to pause and consider. It is a great thing to get our minds around that a time is coming when all peoples will want God more than they want whatever they think a government offers them. The pride of nationalism will leave this earth.

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, 

the holy habitation of the Most High. 

5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; 

God will help her right early. 

6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; 

he utters his voice, the earth melts. 

7 The LORD of hosts is with us; 

the God of Jacob is our refuge. [Selah] 

The river is the river of life that comes from the Throne and flows through the New Jerusalem. [Rev. 22:1-2]

He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.’” John 7:38

Here the city of God is a “she” and is the lover of God. Just as the New Jerusalem is the bride of Messiah. We will not be moved. Once we are part of this city nothing will stop our advance on the rest of the world. Though the governments of the world rage they will in the end totter and fall, they will melt before the coming King.

We are on the Lord’s side, and we will have the final victory.

8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, 

how he has wrought desolations in the earth. 

9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; 

he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear, 

he burns the chariots with fire! 

10 “Be still, and know that I am God. 

I am exalted among the nations, 

I am exalted in the earth!” 

11 The LORD of hosts is with us; 

the God of Jacob is our refuge. [Selah] 

When this happens the nations will be desolated. They will not longer have the ability to make war. All the implements or war will be destroyed.

He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. Is. 2:4

He shall judge between many peoples, and shall decide for strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more; Mic. 4:3

In the end we are bidden to be still and “know” that God is God. This is the same word “to know” that is, “and Adam knew Eve and she conceived.” It means to know the other person intimately in a relationship. He is exalted everywhere, but only to His beloved is He intimate. Only to His intimate is he a refuge.

The Alamot

This song was for the Alamot, the women who watch for Messiah. Once we watched for his birth, now we must watch for His return. Ours is to watch the news with wonder and not fear. These nations are destined to fall, the peoples are destined to rise. For we were always to be equal. That is why this was a song for women.

But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, Matt. 20:25-26

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1Pet. 2:9