Psalm 46 (45):4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

What reason do we have to fear, when our Sovereign is so mighty? The term Διαψαλμα indicates a shift in tone, which is absent in the Slavonic text. Another translator, Aquila, mentions the constancy of the situation, referring to "the currents of the river." Similarly, Aquila, Symmachus, and Theodotion note "divisions," while the Hebrew term denotes streams (phalagav).

The mountains are brought low by His might. This statement may be understood metaphorically, referring to those who are filled with pride regarding their greatness, unaware of God's stronghold, who elevate themselves above divine wisdom, only to be humbled by God's messengers, who boldly proclaim the truth with insight and authority. In their realization of spiritual poverty, they come to fear the Lord and submit before His stronghold. Alternatively, the rulers of this world and the leaders of transient wisdom may be symbolized as mountains, struck with fear by the stronghold of Christ, which was revealed in His triumph over death through the cross. Just as a valiant ascetic, He dismantled and defeated the principalities and powers, shaming them through His courage, having triumphed over them on the cross (Colossians 2:15).

This mountain caused turmoil in the heart of Judas, shaking his thoughts with intense conflict, driven by waves of various emotions. Just as a soul rich in good actions and grounded in faithful reverence is likened to fertile land—its fragrance reminiscent of a bountiful field—so too is the restless soul, awash with bitter thoughts, compared to a tumultuous sea. Even the kiss of the Lord Jesus could not alleviate Judas's inner turmoil; the betrayer accepted the kiss yet unleashed venom, leading to death, a sting that Christ softened, though the traitor couldn't evade it.

To illustrate the meaning of this mountain clearly, the Savior, when commanding a demon to depart from a man, explained to His disciples why they had been unable to expel it: This kind is cast out only through prayer and fasting, and He added that with even mustard seed faith, one could command a mountain to relocate—thus revealing, with His gesture, the true mountain that perfect faith could move. The apostle echoes this comparison, asserting that even if one possesses the faith to move mountains but lacks love, it is of no use. Some may interpret phrases differently, first asserting that the mountains will be moved, then describing how the sea's depths roared and surged, causing the mountains to tremble in response. The tumultuous waters that roar and rise are of no benefit if they cannot quench thirst; instead, it is the tranquil waters flowing between the mountains that provide sustenance to all creatures.

When the legion of demons requested permission to enter a herd of pigs, the swine rushed into the sea, causing a stir in the waters. The prophet David noted, The waters have seen Thee, O God; they have beheld Thee and trembled—these are the powers that, recognizing the divine Word, have become humble and are not alarmed by noise or tumult. In contrast, he spoke of evil forces that trembled at the sound of mighty waters; they are the abysses that fail to see God and are perpetually in chaos. The prophet revealed that these abysses represent the tumult of many waters. Look, the beast, the Antichrist, rises from the abyss to confront Elijah, Enoch, and John—who were returned to earth for the testimony of the Lord Jesus, as recorded in the Revelation of John. This beast was granted a boastful mouth to proclaim his outrageous blasphemy and sacrilege. The waters, representing unclean spirits, are disturbed and unsettled upon witnessing God's works and fearing the judgment that follows the return of the Lord Savior. The waters roiled and churned during the Passion of the Lord, prompting the Scripture to ask: Why do the nations rage, and the people plot in vain? Their memory was obliterated with noise.

The adversary thrives in chaos, while Christ embodies peace. Like a lamb before its shearers, He remained silent, opening not His mouth; He did not shout or make His voice heard in public, until He brought forth justice through victory. What kind of victory is this? It is the victory over the serpent! The mountains quaked at the valor of the Son of God when the devil and his minions witnessed the resurrection of the dead; these are the mountains that shook, and the righteous who rise are the mountains destined for paradise, to whom it is declared: You will be with Me today in paradise. To another, it was said: If I desire him to remain until I return, what is it to you? Follow Me. Enoch was taken up to heaven to be spared from the evils of the world.

Here, the term “horses” signifies the holy Apostles, who became an embodiment of a Divine chariot as the Lord rode upon them, scattering numerous corrupt teachings like turbulent waters. The prophetic utterance also indicates that the waters were agitated and the mountains trembled due to the dissemination of the gospel. In this context, the prophet refers to the mountains as the legions of demons, embodying pride and arrogance, while the waters symbolize the hearts of individuals, which, similar to water, can be swept away and unsettled by the spirits of deception.

It is fitting to interpret the Psalm in a deeper sense: "we shall not fear," meaning we will not be afraid when the earth is disturbed, specifically when earthly leaders and their followers face turmoil. In the early days of preaching, they were indeed troubled, as the Greek beliefs handed down through generations were being challenged and dismantled. Similarly, we need not fear when the mountains plunge into the sea—this symbolizes the demons, who, like towering peaks, rise up and invade the bitter and chaotic hearts of the faithless, inciting them to threaten our very existence. Numerous such events occurred during the initial spread of the Gospel, as chronicled in the Acts and the history of the Church.

The tumultuous waters represent the demonic forces, akin to idolaters whipped up by deceptive spirits, rallying and colliding against the Christians; confused, they were bewildered by the miraculous signs performed through the Apostles, empowered by Christ's indomitable strength. In this confusion, the demonic forces, referred to as mountains, were indeed exhausted and expelled from people by the martyrs and Apostles. Thus, Chrysostom remarked: God orchestrates all with ease and decisiveness; His power is so great that, upon merely observing, all of creation responds accordingly. Therefore, how can we fear, having such a Sovereign?

Theodoret also illuminates this matter, noting instances like Demetrius in Ephesus and similar events in Lystra, Derbe, Philippi, Thessalonica, Athens, and Corinth, where deceptive spirits provoked upheaval, prompting some to accuse the holy Apostles: "These men who have upset the world have come here too." The blessed Habakkuk also prophesied, saying: "Thou hast brought forth thy horses upon the sea, stirring up many waters," referring to the holy Apostles as bearers of God's message who have become His instruments.

It is simple to maintain hope and demonstrate courage when there is no imminent peril; however, when the entire world is in upheaval and destruction looms, and still the hearts of the faithful find peace, is this not a clear indication of God's power with them? Yet, when he states, "Let us not be afraid," he does not wholly dismiss the feelings of the pious, as if they are devoid of emotion (for emotion is distinct from the steadfastness of faith); rather, he imparts that the faithful, with divine assistance, always possess within themselves the strength to conquer all fear.