8
corresponds with the `rage' of the heathen and the `moving' of
the kingdoms in verse 6, where the same two words are found in
the original. The `Selah' between verses 3 and 4 draws attention
to the contrast between the roaring waters without, and the
gentle flow within of the river that supplied, as from a secret
source, the needs of Zion.
Coming back to the thought of the Refuge in this Psalm, we
note next that the Psalmist has been inspired to use two words to
describe this refuge, neither of them being the same as that
found in Deuteronomy 33:27. The word used in verse 1: `God is
our refuge', carries with it the idea of something one can `trust',
as will be seen by its usage in Psalm 91:4, `Under His wings
shalt thou trust'. It is probably derived from a word which
means `to make haste' or `flee' (Psa. 40:13), and suggests that
such a refuge is one to which one would flee for safety (compare
Heb. 6:18). The second word is found in Psalm 46:7 and 11 and
means a `high tower'. The idea of safety is evidently associated
with this, for we read in Proverbs 18:10 : `The name of the
LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is
safe'.
To sum up, then, we may say that God Himself is set before us
as our Refuge in a threefold light. He is a `dwelling' - prepared
beforehand by God Who anticipates all eventualities (Deut.
33:27). He is also a `trustworthy' refuge (Psa. 46:1), and a high
and exalted place of safety (Psa. 46:7,11). This is a word in
season for us all.
3.