The psalm ends with the same refrain found in Psalm 46:7. It serves as a reminder to the people that they must always be prepared to sing this psalm, and to sing it with faith and a clear conscience. Without such faith, Psalm 46 can be dangerous. Because the psalm was born in a particular historical context, it cannot be used by any person in any situation. God is not automatically always with his people—if his people turn away from him, he can turn against them. A century after the Assyrian invasion of Judah, when Jeremiah proclaimed that God would punish the people through Babylon because of their sins, the majority did not listen. The people’s reaction was in stark contrast to Hezekiah’s humble repentance a hundred years before. Jerusalem fell to Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar.
Psalm 46 is not intended for the proud but only for those who confess their faith with a contrite and humble spirit. The psalm contains words of comfort for those of our day who are humble, who acknowledge God’s right to chastise us, and who recognize that world events are guided by God’s hand.
11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah