Psalm 46 is a hymn praise celebrating Zion, Jerusalem, as the city, to which God has pledged himself and through which he will bless the world.
1-7 – Here is the scripture which inspired Martin Luther’s hymn, A Mighty Fortress is Our God. The people of God are secure within Zion, even in times of tumult, for God is their strength and refuge. Here the psalmist uses poetic forms, such a raging sea, great earthquakes and warring nations, to state that God will protect the people of Zion, no matter what. Notice verse 4, the title Most High is El Elyon in Hebrew, the Most-High God of all gods, of all people, and is first referenced in Genesis 18:14. This title for God is often used when relating the to the gentiles.
8-11 – This God who protects Zion will one day be exalted by all the nations of the Earth. In verse 11, the title for God is the LORD of Hosts, which in Hebrew is Yahweh Tsabot, or in Latinized form, LORD Sabbaoth. Here is God presented as the commander of the hosts of heaven, the heavenly beings. One day God will make all wars cease and all people and all nations exalt and worship him.