Bible Commentary

Psalm 46:4 is a Bible verse from a Psalm that reassures us of the strength and power of God. No matter how turbulent things are all around us, we can have shelter and comfort in the faithfulness of our Father’s arms.

The entire 46^th Psalm speaks of God as our refuge and strength, that He is a very present help in times of trouble. The Psalmist penned these words as if he was reminding himself of God’s protection. When your life is in turmoil, it is easy to be swept away in the fear and chaos of it all. How fortunate we are to have the Bible to turn to, our fortress, the Divine Word of God.

The first part of Psalm 46:4 reads like a line of poetry, “There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God…” The word “river” in Hebrew means: stream (including the sea, especially the Nile, Euphrates, etc.); prosperity.

A river or stream indicates a continual flow of water. It is no coincidence the word prosperity is included in the Hebrew definition. This would indicate a continual flow of wealth, of God’s provision.

Divine Distribution

Now, for the streams that make the city of God glad. “Streams” in Hebrew means: a rill (small channel of water, as in irrigation); to split, divide. So, the streams are the divided channels of water, or wealth, which come from the larger river. You could think of it like a distribution center, which carries goods from the manufacturer to the retail outlets. These goods are being carried to “the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High,” according to Psalm 46:4.

This receptacle, or place of receiving, indicates the people of God—believers of Jesus Christ. The word “tabernacles” in Hebrew means: residence, shepherd’s hut, lair of animals.

Those of us who are believers are sons and daughters of the Most High God, and therefore we reside in the house of God as part of His family. Not only that, but our bodies are tabernacles. 1 Corinthians 6:19 says, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God…”

So then, there is a Divine stream of prosperity that flows continually toward the people of God—their houses, indicating their extended family, and their bodies–a temple of the Holy Spirit–as a receptacle.

A Heavenly Flow

Psalm 46:4 says this river of prosperity makes us glad. “Glad” in Hebrew means: brighten up, be gleesome, cheer up, have joy, be merry, rejoice.

So, amid all the turbulence of these end times swirling around us, we as children of God can and will have a Divine flow of God’s heavenly wealth—a healing flow of peace into our souls and prosperity all around us.

1 Corinthians 3:21-23 says, “So then let no one boast in men. For all things belong to you, ²² whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you, ²³ and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God.”

In Christ, all things belong to us because we belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God, Creator of all. We are one with God the Father through Jesus Christ the Son. We are the house of God.

We freely give and freely receive in Jesus Christ from the Divine river of God.

Revelation 22:1-2 says, “Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, ² in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”

Study the Bible verse of Psalm 46:4 to know and receive the continual flow of the bountiful blessings of God.

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