King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
[There is] a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy [place] of the tabernacles of the most High.
Complete Jewish Bible:
There is a river whose streams gladden the city of God, the holy habitation of 'Elyon
Berean Standard Bible:
There is a river whose streams delight the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.
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.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
There is a river{H5104}, the streams{H6388} whereof shall make glad{H8055}{H8762)} the city{H5892} of God{H430}, the holy{H6918} place of the tabernacles{H4908} of the most High{H5945}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Revelation 22:1
- ¶ And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
Revelation 22:3
- And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
Ezekiel 47:1
- ¶ Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house [stood toward] the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south [side] of the altar.
Ezekiel 47:12
- And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.
Psalms 36:8
- They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.
Psalms 36:9
- For with thee [is] the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.
Psalms 48:8
- ¶ As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Psalms 46:4
Psalm 46:4 is part of a psalm traditionally attributed to the sons of Korah, who were temple musicians and leaders in ancient Israel. This particular verse is rich in metaphorical imagery, drawing upon the concept of a river that brings life and joy to the city of God, which is Jerusalem. The "city of God" refers to the spiritual and physical center of the Israelite community, a place where God's presence is especially felt.
The river in this verse is not a literal river but a symbolic one, representing the continual flow of God's blessings, protection, and provision for His people. The "streams" making glad the city suggest that these divine blessings are abundant and life-giving, much like the waters of a river revive the land and bring joy to those who depend on it. The mention of "the holy [place] of the tabernacles of the most High" connects this verse to the sacred spaces where God's presence dwells, first in the tabernacle and later in the temple, reinforcing the idea of Jerusalem as a holy city.
Historically, this psalm may have been written during a time of crisis or threat to Jerusalem, perhaps during the Assyrian or Babylonian invasions. The reassurance of God's protective presence, symbolized by the river, would have been a source of comfort and hope to the people facing these external threats. The verse thus conveys themes of divine protection, the sanctity of Jerusalem, and the sustaining power of God's presence amidst the uncertainties and dangers of life.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5104
There are 109 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָהָר
Transliteration: nâhâr
Pronunciation: naw-hawr'
Description: from נָהַר; a stream (including the sea; expectation the Nile, Euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity; flood, river. - Strong's Number: H6388
There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פֶּלֶג
Transliteration: peleg
Pronunciation: peh'-leg
Description: from פָּלַג; a rill (i.e. small channel of water, as in irrigation); river, stream. - Strong's Number: H8055
There are 145 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׂמַח
Transliteration: sâmach
Pronunciation: saw-makh'
Description: a primitive root; probably to brighten up, i.e. (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome; cheer up, be (make) glad, (have, make) joy(-ful), be (make) merry, (cause to, make to) rejoice, [idiom] very. - Strong's Number: H5892
There are 937 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עִיר
Transliteration: ʻîyr
Pronunciation: eer
Description: or (in the plural) עָר; or עָיַר; (Judges 10:4), from עוּר; a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post); Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. - Strong's Number: H430
There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. - Strong's Number: H6918
There are 106 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָדוֹשׁ
Transliteration: qâdôwsh
Pronunciation: kaw-doshe'
Description: or קָדֹשׁ; from קָדַשׁ; sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) God (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary; holy (One), saint. - Strong's Number: H4908
There are 129 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִשְׁכָּן
Transliteration: mishkân
Pronunciation: mish-kawn'
Description: from שָׁכַן; a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the Temple); specifically, the Tabernacle (properly, its wooden walls); dwelleth, dwelling (place), habitation, tabernacle, tent. - Strong's Number: H5945
There are 53 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֶלְיוֹן
Transliteration: ʻelyôwn
Pronunciation: el-yone'
Description: from עָלָה; an elevation, i.e. (adj.) lofty (compar.); as title, the Supreme; (Most, on) high(-er, -est), upper(-most).