It is difficult to determine the historical origin of Psalm 46. Some commentators feel that the psalm was not directly inspired by a specific event in history, or that the psalm is directed at the end times: when everything collapses, Zion remains standing. There is, however, a convincing case to be made for the psalm to have originated after the Assyrian invasion under Sennacherib during the days of Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:1 – 19:37).

The psalm shows characteristics of a song of praise, a song of thanksgiving, and a prayer. It consists of three sections, each ending with the word “selah.”