Psalm 46:4
New International Version
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.

New Living Translation
A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High.

English Standard Version
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.

Berean Standard Bible
There is a river whose streams delight the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.

King James Bible
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.

New King James Version
There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.

New American Standard Bible
There is a river whose streams make the city of God happy, The holy dwelling places of the Most High.

NASB 1995
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High.

NASB 1977
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High.

Legacy Standard Bible
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High.

Amplified Bible
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High.

Christian Standard Bible
There is a river — its streams delight the city of God, the holy dwelling place of the Most High.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
There is a river— its streams delight the city of God, the holy dwelling place of the Most High.

American Standard Version
There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.

Contemporary English Version
A river and its streams bring joy to the city, which is the sacred home of God Most High.

English Revised Version
There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
There is a river whose streams bring joy to the city of God, the holy place where the Most High lives.

Good News Translation
There is a river that brings joy to the city of God, to the sacred house of the Most High.

International Standard Version
Look! There is a river whose streams make the city of God rejoice, even the Holy Place of the Most High.

Majority Standard Bible
There is a river whose streams delight the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.

NET Bible
The river's channels bring joy to the city of God, the special, holy dwelling place of the sovereign One.

New Heart English Bible
There is a river, the streams of which make the city of God glad, the holy place of the tents of the Most High.

Webster's Bible Translation
There is a river, the streams of which shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.

World English Bible
There is a river, the streams of which make the city of God glad, the holy place of the tents of the Most High.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
A river—its streams make glad the city of God, "" Your holy place of the dwelling places of the Most High.

Young's Literal Translation
A river -- its rivulets rejoice the city of God, Thy holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.

Smith's Literal Translation
A river, its streams will gladden the city of God, the holy place of the tents of the Most High.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The stream of the river maketh the city of God joyful: the most High hath sanctified his own tabernacle.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The frenzy of the river rejoices the city of God. The Most High has sanctified his tabernacle.

New American Bible
Streams of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High.

New Revised Standard Version
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of our God, The holy place of the most High.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The streams of the rivers will rejoice in The City of our God: it is the holy place, the dwelling of The Highest.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God, The holiest dwelling-place of the Most High.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The flowings of the river gladden the city of God: the Most High has sanctified his tabernacle.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God is Our Refuge and Strength
3though their waters roar and foam and the mountains quake in the surge. Selah 4There is a river whose streams delight the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. 5God is within her; she will not be moved. God will help her when morning dawns.…

Cross References
Revelation 22:1-2
Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb / down the middle of the main street of the city. On either side of the river stood a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

Ezekiel 47:1-12
Then the man brought me back to the entrance of the temple, and I saw water flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar. / Next he brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and there I saw the water trickling out from the south side. / As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and led me through ankle-deep water. ...

John 7:38-39
Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’” / He was speaking about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. For the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.

Isaiah 33:21
But there the Majestic One, our LORD, will be for us a place of rivers and wide canals, where no galley with oars will row, and no majestic vessel will pass.

Zechariah 14:8
And on that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half of it toward the Eastern Sea and the other half toward the Western Sea, in summer and winter alike.

Revelation 21:2-3
I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. / And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.

Isaiah 12:3
With joy you will draw water from the springs of salvation,

Joel 3:18
And in that day the mountains will drip with sweet wine, and the hills will flow with milk. All the streams of Judah will run with water, and a spring will flow from the house of the LORD to water the Valley of Acacias.

John 4:14
But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.”

Revelation 7:17
For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. ‘He will lead them to springs of living water,’ and ‘God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

Isaiah 8:6
“Because this people has rejected the gently flowing waters of Shiloah and rejoiced in Rezin and the son of Remaliah,

Jeremiah 2:13
“For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns—broken cisterns that cannot hold water.

Revelation 22:17
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely.

Psalm 36:8-9
They feast on the abundance of Your house, and You give them drink from Your river of delights. / For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light.

Isaiah 55:1
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost!


Treasury of Scripture

There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.

a river

Psalm 23:2
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

Psalm 36:8,9
They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures…

Isaiah 8:6,7
Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son; …

city

Psalm 48:1,8
A Song and Psalm for the sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness…

Psalm 87:3
Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.

2 Chronicles 6:6
But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel.

holy

Deuteronomy 12:11,12
Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD: …

most

Psalm 91:1
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm 92:1,8
A Psalm or Song for the sabbath day. It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: …

Ecclesiastes 5:8
If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.

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City Dwelling Dwelling-Place Dwells Glad Habitation Habitations High Holiest Holy Places Resting-Place River Rivulets Sanctuary Streams Tabernacles Tents Whereof
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City Dwelling Dwelling-Place Dwells Glad Habitation Habitations High Holiest Holy Places Resting-Place River Rivulets Sanctuary Streams Tabernacles Tents Whereof
Psalm 46
1. The confidence which the church has in God
8. An exhortation to behold it














There is a river
The imagery of a river in biblical literature often symbolizes life, sustenance, and divine provision. In the Hebrew context, the word "river" (נָהָר, nahar) can evoke the idea of a continuous, life-giving flow. Unlike the tumultuous waters mentioned earlier in the psalm, this river is calm and life-sustaining, representing God's peace and provision. Historically, Jerusalem did not have a major river, which emphasizes the metaphorical nature of this river as a divine source of spiritual nourishment and blessing.

whose streams
The "streams" (פְּלָגִים, pelagim) suggest divisions or channels that distribute the river's life-giving water. This can be seen as a metaphor for the manifold ways God's grace and blessings are distributed among His people. The streams bring refreshment and joy, indicating the reach and impact of God's presence in the lives of believers. In a historical context, the streams could symbolize the various ways God’s presence and blessings are experienced within the community of faith.

delight the city of God
The "city of God" refers to Jerusalem, often seen as the earthly representation of God's heavenly kingdom. The Hebrew word for "delight" (שָׂמַח, samach) conveys joy and gladness. This phrase suggests that the presence of God, symbolized by the river, brings profound joy and satisfaction to His people. Theologically, it points to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises and the joy found in His presence. The city of God is not just a physical location but a spiritual reality where God’s people dwell in His presence.

the holy place
This phrase refers to the sacredness of the location where God resides. The "holy place" (מִקְדָּשׁ, miqdash) is a term that denotes a sanctuary or a consecrated area. In the context of ancient Israel, it would bring to mind the temple in Jerusalem, the center of worship and the dwelling place of God's presence. This highlights the sanctity and set-apart nature of the place where God chooses to dwell among His people.

where the Most High dwells
The "Most High" (עֶלְיוֹן, Elyon) is a title for God that emphasizes His supreme authority and sovereignty over all creation. The verb "dwells" (שָׁכַן, shakan) indicates a settled, abiding presence. This phrase assures believers of God's constant and unshakeable presence among them. Historically, this would have been a source of immense comfort and assurance to the Israelites, knowing that the Almighty God was in their midst, providing protection and blessing. In a broader theological sense, it points to the ultimate reality of God's eternal presence with His people, both now and in the eschatological future.

(4) A river . . .--Heb., n?har, i.e., a perennial stream, as distinguished from n?chal, a torrent bed dry except in the rainy season. Plainly, then, the "Cedron" is not here alluded to. But many commentators think "Siloam" is intended. (See Stanley, Sinai and Palestine, p. 180, and comp. Isaiah 12:3; Ezekiel 47:1-5; John 7:37.)

There may not, however, be any such local allusion. The river, flowing calmly and smoothly along, may be only a symbol of the peace and blessing of the Divine presence, as the tumult and tempest of the sea in the last verse are of the world's noisy troubles. Indeed, the LXX. (comp. Prayer Book version) seems to connect the river of this verse with the waters of the preceding.

Streams.--See Note on Psalm 1:3, where the same word occurs.

Verse 4. - There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God. In contrast with the scene of tumult and disturbance in the world at large, which the writer has presented to us in vers. 2, 3, he now shows us, resting in perfect peace and tranquillity, "the city of God," threatened, indeed, by the nations, but undismayed by them, and calmly trusting in the protection of the God who is "in the midst of her." To this city he assigns a "river, the streams whereof make her glad;" imagery in which we may recognize the perennial fountain of God's grace - that "pure river of water of life," which, welling forth from the throne of God and of the Lamb, continually refreshes and gladdens the Church of Christ (Revelation 22:1), whether her dwell-tug-place be the earthly or the heavenly Jerusalem. The holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High (comp. Psalm 43:3). The direct application is, of course, to the earthly Jerusalem, which the armies of Sennacherib were threatening.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
There is a river
נָהָ֗ר (nā·hār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5104: A stream, prosperity

whose streams
פְּלָגָ֗יו (pə·lā·ḡāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6388: A channel, canal

delight
יְשַׂמְּח֥וּ (yə·śam·mə·ḥū)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 8055: To brighten up, be, blithe, gleesome

the city
עִיר־ (‘îr-)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5892: Excitement

of God,
אֱלֹהִ֑ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

the holy [place where]
קְ֝דֹ֗שׁ (qə·ḏōš)
Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6918: Sacred, God, an angel, a saint, a sanctuary

the Most High
עֶלְיֽוֹן׃ (‘el·yō·wn)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 5945: An elevation, lofty, as title, the Supreme

dwells.
מִשְׁכְּנֵ֥י (miš·kə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4908: A residence, the Tabernacle


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OT Poetry: Psalm 46:4 There is a river the streams (Psalm Ps Psa.)
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