Psalm 46 (45):3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

If, he states, we were to witness complete devastation, overwhelming chaos, or events unprecedented in history, if all of creation were to seemingly rebel against itself, if the mountains were to shift from their foundations, if everything were to be shaken to its core, and the very fundamental elements were to clash, then not only would we not be overcome, but ‘we shall not be afraid.' The reason for this is that we are aided, reaching out for help from the Lord of creation itself. If we would stand firm in such tumult and not succumb to fear, how much more should we be resolute when faced with the onslaught of our foes and the preparations of our adversaries against us?

Observe this peace: thus, let us not fear when the earth is upheaved and mountains plunge into the depths of the sea. Then we shall know no dread. Let us seek the submerged mountains; if they are found, they affirm our safety. The Lord assured His disciples that if they possessed faith even as small as a mustard seed and spoke to a mountain, commanding it to be uprooted and cast into the sea, it would come to pass. He referred to Himself as that mountain, for He is the Mountain. In the days to come, the mountain of the Lord will be revealed (Isaiah 2:2). This mountain, however, rises above all others, as the Apostles themselves are the mountains that uplift this Mountain. Consequently, it follows that in the final days, the Mountain of the Lord will stand established atop all mountains. He surpasses all heights, for the mountains declare the greatness of the Mountain. The sea represents this world, in which the sea appears as a bitter expanse, akin to the people of Israel. Unlike the sea engulfed by the bitterness of idolatry, the Israelites were surrounded by the uncertainty of the Gentiles, comparable to the arid land. It was destined that the land — this nation of Israel — would be disturbed; that the mountains would submerge into the depths of the sea, meaning that the great Mountain established above all would first be addressed. He departed from the Israelites to reach the Gentiles, crossing from the land into the sea. Who carries Him? The apostles, to whom He proclaimed, “If you have faith like a mustard seed and say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and cast into the sea,’ it will be done,” signifying that through your most faithful preaching, I will be preached among the Gentiles, I will be glorified among them, I will be acknowledged among them, and that which was prophesied about Me shall be realized — a people whom I did not know whether they would serve Me.

The mountain of turmoil surged within Judas, engulfing his mind with fierce storms, overwhelmed by the tides of various passions. Just as a soul rich in good deeds and the fruits of genuine faith is likened to fertile land—like the aroma of Jacob reminiscent of a bountiful field (Genesis 27:27)—so too is the unsettled soul, stirred by bitter thoughts, compared to a turbulent and tempestuous sea. Even a kiss could not alleviate the anguish in Judas, the betrayer's soul; he received the kiss only to poison it, bringing forth death, which Christ rendered powerless, yet the traitor could not escape its grip. To clearly illustrate the significance of this mountain, the Saviour, upon expelling a demon from a man, explained to His apostles why they were unable to do so: This kind can come out only through prayer and fasting (Matt. 17:21) and added: If you have faith like a mustard seed, you can instruct this mountain to move from here to there (Matt. 17:20), indicating by His gesture who that mountain is that true faith can shift. The apostle echoes this analogy of perfect faith as a mustard seed when he writes, If I possess all faith, enough to move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing (1 Cor. 13:2). Some interpret the phrases differently, asserting that the mountains shall be moved, and then describing how the waters of the sea roared and surged, shaking the mountains with their might (Ps. 45:3-4). The tumultuous waters, which cannot provide nourishment, are deemed unfavorable; it is better for the water to flow calmly, as described in Scripture: Between the mountains shall the streams flow, quenching the thirst of all the wild creatures (Psalm 103:10-11). When the legion of demons sought entry into the pigs, the herd rushed wildly into the sea, provoking the waters into turmoil. The prophet David remarked: The waters have seen Thee, O God, the waters have seen Thee and feared Thee (Psalms 76:17), signifying that those powers that recognize the divine Word become humble and are untroubled by the thunder or commotion. Of the wicked powers, he declares: The depths trembled; and the sound of mighty waters (Psalm 76:17-18). The depths remain in chaos, unable to perceive God. The prophet illustrates these depths as the clamor of many waters. Witness the beast, the Antichrist, rising from the abyss to contend against Elijah, Enoch, and John—whom the Lord brought back to earth as recorded in John's Revelation. This beast was granted a mouth that speaks arrogantly (Rev. 13:5), loudly proclaiming its blasphemies and sacrilege. The waters, representing unclean spirits, are stirred and agitated, witnessing the deeds of God and fearing the coming judgment after the arrival of the Lord Saviour. The waters were stirred during the Passion of the Lord. Thus, Scripture asks: Why do the nations rage and the people plot in vain? (Psalm 2:1). Elsewhere, it states: Their memories perished in noise (Psalm 9:7). The devil thrives on chaos; Christ embodies tranquility. He remained silent as a lamb before its shearer (Isaiah 53:7); He did not raise His voice nor make Himself heard on the streets until He brings forth victory through justice (Matt. 12:19-20). What victory do we speak of? The triumph over the serpent! From the courage of the Son of God, the mountains trembled as the devil and his forces witnessed the resurrection of the dead; these mountains symbolize those that quaked, and the resurrected righteous are the mountains destined for paradise, to whom it is declared: Today you will be with Me in paradise (Luke 23:43). To another, it is stated, If I desire him to remain until I return, what is that to you? Follow Me (Jn. 21:22). Additionally, Enoch was taken up into heaven so that he would not be corrupted by the world's evil.

Chrysostom additionally emphasizes that in this context, the earth, mountains, and seas are not referred to as elements, but signify unbearable hardships. Furthermore, I believe that the reference here pertains to the multitude of courageous adversaries and the countless array of foes that confront us.

“God is our refuge and strength, our Helper in the afflictions that befall us; therefore let us not fear, when the earth shall shake, and the mountains shall move to the midst of the seas” (Psalm 45:2-3). “In You our fathers trusted; they trusted, and You delivered them; to You they cried, and were saved; in You they trusted, and were not left in shame” (Psalm 21:5-6). “O Lord, You are our refuge in generation and generation” (Psalm 89:2). With this shield, as a fortress, our ancestors—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—defended themselves, as it is recorded: “He did not allow men to offend them, and rebuked kings for them” (1 Chron. 16:21). Under this shield, Joseph remained unscathed, virtuous in spirit and body, untouched by the arrows of temptation and adversity. Through this shield, Israel was safeguarded when they left Egypt, protected from their oppressor Pharaoh and the enemies who rose against them along their journey, secured from diverse foes while dwelling in the land of promise. “If the Lord had not been with us,” let Israel affirm, “if the Lord had not been with us, when men rose up against us they would have swallowed us up alive; when their fury was kindled against us, the waters would have drowned us” (Psalms 123:1-4). King David of Israel faced all his enemies, declaring: “All the Gentiles have overcome me, but in the name of the Lord, I have opposed them; they have overcome me like the bees of the honeycomb, they are kindled like fire in thorns, yet in the name of the Lord, I have opposed them” (Psalm 117:10-12). The prophets, apostles, saints, martyrs, reverends, hermits, and all the servants of God through the ages have found preservation under this shield, enduring numerous trials, tribulations, and sufferings. Today’s true Christians turn to this steadfast and invulnerable shield, defending themselves as they sing with confidence: “God is our refuge and strength, our helper in tribulation... The Lord of strength is with us, our Advocate, the God of Jacob” (Psalm 45:2, 8). “If God be for us, who is against us? He who spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Rom. 8:31-32). St. Paul, a zealous witness, dared to triumph over hell and enemy powers. Beloved Christian, remember that Satan and all wicked spirits harbor relentless wrath against humanity, and even more so against faithful Christians. Like prowling beasts, they surround the believer invisibly, seeking to destroy him through their own actions or the machinations of false Christians and other wicked individuals. Who could withstand their accusations and assaults if the Lord did not shield him with His goodness and cover him with His merciful wings? Truly, he would quickly perish. What David proclaimed of ancient Israel in terms of its deliverance also pertains aptly to the new Israel, the followers of Christ. Verily, if God had not been with us, we would have been consumed by our enemies. “Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as a prey to their teeth” (Psalm 123:6). Hence, we see the futility of placing our trust in anything but God. Trust in humanity is a feeble support, and every creature proves to be a false shield. Thus, forsaking all else, we turn to this unwavering and powerful shield. “It is better to trust in the Lord than to place hope in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to place hope in princes” (Psalm 117:8-9). While some may seek protection through cunning strategies, wealth, status, or the intercession of the influential, their defenses are ultimately deceptive and rotten. Their expectations will certainly be disappointed. We will stand firm in the name of the Lord and will not be shamed. Remember, Christian, if you are God’s own, His name will defend you from every accusation of the enemy. “I will love Thee, O Lord, my fortress! The Lord is my steadfastness and my refuge, my Deliverer, my God, my Helper, and I trust in Him; my Defender, the horn of my salvation, and my Advocate. By praise, I will call upon the Lord, and from my enemies, I will be saved” (Psalm 17:2-4). “Even if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me” (Psalm 22:4). “You are my refuge from the affliction that has overtaken me. My joy, deliver me from those who surround me” (Psalm 31:7). “You are my Helper; to You, I sing, for You are my Advocate, my God, my mercy” (Psalm 58:18). When a Christian dwells in the grace of God, receiving aid and protection from the Most High, even if the wicked, darkness, the world, all demons, and hell itself rise against him, and trouble surrounds him, none will prevail. For God is stronger than all; by His almighty hand, He holds, protects, and preserves him. Fear not, O faithful and God-loving soul. “He shall deliver thee from the net of the trapper, and from the rebellious word; under His wings, you shall find safety, His truth shall be your shield. You shall not fear the terrors of the night or the arrow that flies by day, nor the calamity that falls at night, or the sickness and the noonday demon. A thousand shall fall beside you, and ten thousand at your right hand; but they shall not come near you” (Psalm 90:3-7). This is the lesson imparted by this entire psalm.

When he proclaims, Let us not be afraid, he does not imply the complete absence of fear among the devoted, as if they were devoid of emotion (for emotion is distinct from the steadfastness of faith). Instead, he conveys that the faithful, assisted by God, consistently discover within themselves the strength necessary to conquer all fears.