Psalm 46

By Robert Alter
For the lead player, for the Korahites, on the alamoth a song. 
   God is a shelter and strength for us,
                            a help in straits, readily found. 
Therefore we fear not when the earth breaks apart,
                            when mountains collapse in the heart of the seas. 
Its waters roar and roil,
                            mountains heave in its surge.                          
A stream, its rivulets gladden God's town,
                            the holy dwelling of Elyon.
God in its midst, it will not collapse. 
                            God helps it as morning breaks. 
Nations roar and kingdoms collapse. 
                            He sends forth His voice and earth melts. 
The Lord of armies is with us, 
                            a fortress for us, Jacob's God.
Go, behold the acts of the Lord,
                            Who made desolations on earth,
caused wars to cease to the end of the earth.
                            The bow He has broken and splintered the spear,
                                          and chariots burned in fire. 
"Let go, and know that I am God. 
                            I loom among nations, I loom upon earth."
The Lord of armies is with us, 
                            a fortress for us, Jacob's God.                            

Copyright Credit: Robert Alter, "Psalm 46" from The Book of Psalms: A Translation with Commentary. Copyright © 2007 by Robert Alter. Used by permission of the author and W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.
Source: The Book of Psalms: A Translation with Commentary (W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2007)