"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."
— Psalm 46:1 (NIV)
Psalm 46:1 is the "God is our refuge and strength" verse. This page gives the verse, where it sits in Psalm 46, and a plain reading. For more on the theme, see Bible verses about refuge, Bible verses about strength, and Bible verses about protection.
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The verse
The King James says, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
"Refuge" is machseh (H4268), a shelter or place to run to. "Strength" is oz (H5797), might or a strong place. "Help" is ezrah (H5833), and "trouble" is tsarah (H6869), distress or a tight place.
Where it sits in Psalm 46
Psalm 46 is a song "of the Sons of Korah." Verse 1 opens it, and verses 2-3 follow: "Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."
Twice the psalm repeats, "The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress" (Psalm 46:7, 11). Near the end God speaks: "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). Martin Luther's hymn "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" is based on this psalm.
What the verse is saying
The psalm does not promise that trouble will stay away. It pictures the worst, with the earth giving way and the sea roaring, and says God is help right there in it. Refuge is a place to hide. Strength is power to stand. The verse says God is both.
That is why the next word is "therefore": because God is our refuge, "we will not fear" (Psalm 46:2). For more, see Psalm 91, Isaiah 41:10, and Bible verses about fear.
Questions people ask
What does Psalm 46:1 say?
In the NIV it says, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." The KJV says, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
Who wrote Psalm 46?
The heading credits it to the Sons of Korah, a family of Levite musicians who served in the temple. Several psalms (Psalms 42–49, 84–85, 87–88) carry their name.
What does "a very present help in trouble" mean?
It is the KJV wording. It means God is a help that is found close at hand in distress, not far off. The NIV puts it as "an ever-present help."
What comes after Psalm 46:1?
Verse 2 says, "Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea." The rest of the psalm builds to "Be still, and know that I am God" in Psalm 46:10.
What hymn is based on Psalm 46?
Martin Luther's "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" is based on Psalm 46.
