Psalm 46:1 KJV
To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.King James Version
The same verse in modern English
For the Chief Musician. By the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.Psalm 46:1, World English Bible (WEB)
KJV and WEB compared
The heading reads differently: “for the sons of Korah” in the KJV, “By the sons of Korah” in the WEB, and “upon Alamoth” against “According to Alamoth.” The Hebrew preposition before Korah allows either for or by. After the heading the two agree word for word, down to “a very present help in trouble.” In Hebrew Bibles the heading is verse 1, so this line is numbered 2.
Sitting with this verse
The heading assigns this psalm to the sons of Korah, temple singers, with a musical note, “Alamoth,” whose meaning is uncertain. The opening line sets the theme before the earth shakes and mountains tumble into the sea. “Very present” suggests help that has been proved in trouble and found to be there. Centuries later Martin Luther drew on this psalm for his hymn “A Mighty Fortress.” Wherever trouble meets you today, call God your refuge out loud.
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