A river whose streams bring joy to the city of God. To the upheavals mentioned in the first stanza the psalmist contrasts a vision of tranquility, the Holy City, Jerusalem, the Church.
① 1* 2God is our strength and protection,
an ever-present help in affliction.
3We will not fear, therefore,
though the earth be shaken
and the mountains plunge into the seas,
4though its waters foam and roar,
though the mountains quake and totter.
For the Lord of hosts is with us,
the God of Jacob, our stronghold.
5There is a river whose streams bring joy to the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
6God is within, the city cannot quake,
for God’s help is upon it at the break of day.
7Kingdoms tottered, nations were in turmoil;
at the sound of his voice the earth melts away.
8For with us is the Lord of hosts,
the God of Jacob, our refuge.
9Come, see the works of the Lord –
the marvelous things he has done in the world.
10He has put an end to wars,
broken the bows and splintered the spears,
set the shields and chariots afire.
11Be still, know that I am God.
I am exalted among the nations,
exalted over the earth!
12With us is the Lord of hosts,
the God of Jacob, our refuge.
- This psalm is one of those that recall the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem in the time of Isaiah (Is 36–37).
We will not fear... though the mountains quake and totter. The Hebrew poetry always associates nature and political events. The history of Israel has been a troubled history: marked by internal crises and enemy invasions. Yet, it is not a chaotic history. This history is guided by an invisible hand, powerful and tender – the hand of God.
A river brings joy to the city of God. The pool of Shiloah, where the water entered through a tunnel in the interior of the ramparts assured the life of the city at the time of a siege: symbol of the secret protection of God. Ezekiel will recall the source which flows out of the Temple, symbol of life and fecundity.
He has put an end to wars. The spiritual Israel (the Church) will be there again to proclaim the wonders of God when the armies and imperial powers will have fallen.
At the sound of his voice, the earth melts away. And it is still true when God feels at home with us: if we had many reasons to fear, suddenly the scene changes and all is certitude and peace.
