Psalm 46-48 and the Hell
by koot van wyk (DLitt et Phil [
The concept of hell that is so well develop in the New Testament, at least as is recorded so vividly in that section of the Bible, is not absent from the Old Testament. The poet of the three Psalms, 46-48 had a picture of the scenario of the time of that great event and in these three hymns he attempted to describe the safety of the remnant of Gods people in a fortress of
It became clear in our reading of the text that the following parts of the event were described:
Preamble
Description of City of refuge or
Events before
Nations prepare for the battle 46:6a 46:8 48:8
BATTLE 46:6,9 48:4-7 97:2-5
Events after
I God returning 47:5
II Remnant shout for joy 47:5 97: 6, 8
III God silence them 46:10
IV God is seated on His throne and people assembled before Him 47:8-9 48:10
V Worship in the temple 48:9-14
Description of the city of Refuge or
Psalm 87:5b makes it clear that the future city anticipated here will not be erected by people but by the Most High "the Most High himself will establish her." It will be argued by Commentators that we have here a metaphor of people building
In Psalm 46:4a it is said that there is a river inside the city whose streams make glad the city of
This city must surpassed present realities. It is the "city of
In this city described here, God is in her "citadels, He has shown Himself to be a fortress" (48:3). In this particular city it seems as if the description is beyond any earthly comparison, although the old
The specific time would be after the Millennium (Revelation 20) because this is the time that the prophet John saw the New Jerusalem descending from heaven to earth (Revelation
This city described by John is mobile and what strengthens our identification in the Psalms is that in Revelation
Events before the
In Psalm 46: 6a we are told that the nations (wicked) are in uproar. Psalm 48:4a reads that "the kings joined forces when they advanced together." This eschatological war is said to take place at the end of time after the millennium when God will be the Soldier or Warrior who will go out of the city to destroy the wicked in absolute finality while the remnant or believers are finding refuge and safety inside the city. This is God's war, no continental war between global parties. It is the war between good and evil. During this time the people of God will be safely inside the New Jerusalem descending from heaven, they will rush to the windows and walls to watch their "Rambo-Hero" conquering the wicked. Psalm 46:8 reads that they will say: "Come and see the works of the Lord." That they are excited and overcome with joy at the successes of God in this battle is clear from references to that effect that we will cite below. Psalm 48:8 is also indicating that the mighty deeds of God in this battle was "seen" and "heard" by the people of God. The security that this battle will bring will have everlasting benefits so that this war must be the final one at the end of time. Everything is couched in absolute and everlasting descriptions so that any attempt to apply it to earthly wars or events is futile.
Events during the
The battle is described vividly. God is said in Psalm 97:2 to move forward outside the city with "clouds and thick darkness" that surround Him. Before God is "fire" that consumes the enemy on every side (97:3). Lightning is seen everywhere (97:4) and the earth trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the Lord (97:5). That Psalm 97 is dealing with the same strata of information that is in Psalm 46:6b is clear where it is stated that when the Lord lifts His voice, the earth melts. As far as results on earth is concerned, Psalm 46:2-3 explains that the earth will give way, the mountains will fall into the heart of the sea. The mountains will quake and the waters of the sea will roar and foam. As far as the nations are concerned, God burns the shields of the enemy "with fire" (46: 9c). He breaks their bow and shatters their spear (46:9b). The result of these events for the kings of the nations is that "when they advanced together, they saw her (the strength of
Events after the
Events after the
God returning:
Psalm 47: 5 indicated that God has ascended amid shouts of joy. This indicated that as God is returning from the battle, He is viewed by the Psalmist as coming up to the city. Obviously, then, when He went out to the battle He was descending. Coming towards the city the people of got is overwhelmed with joy.
The same verse indicated that there are shouts of joy and the sounding of trumpets and the singing of praises to the victorious Warrior God.
Remnant shout for joy:
The reaction of the saints inside the city is given that they are shouting for joy probably because of the victory over the enemy (47:5a). They also sing praises to the Lord (47:6). In Psalm 97:8 it is said that "
God silence them:
Psalm 46:10 explains the interesting reaction of God that He silenced the people as He entered the city. One should probably explain this moment of silence, that God does not rejoice over the death of the wicked and even in the finality of their lives He feels touched and wants a moment of silence. At a funeral there are no shouts for joy.
God is seated on His throne and people are assembled before Him:
Psalm 47:8 tells us that God is seated on His holy throne and the nobles of the nations assemble as the people of the God of Abraham. Psalm 48:10 explains that the praise of the Lord reaches to the end of the earth.
God is in His
Psalm 48:9 displays God within His temple where His saints are worshipping Him. One is not sure in this verse whether this is just a description back in time and history at the time the Psalm were written and that the psalmist is saying that the origin of his thoughts on the eschatological scenario are from the temple.