God as our fortress (vv. 7, 11)—as a “Mighty Fortress” (thanks to Martin Luther)—has been an image comforting believers living in turmoil through the centuries. Psalm 46 is one of the Songs of Zion (also Pss. 48, 76, 84, 87, 132). Psalms 46, 48, and 76 follow the same pattern: (a) a confession that “God is . . . in Zion,” (b) a report that God has stilled Zion’s attackers, and (c) imperatives to acknowledge God as sovereign protector—not the usual hymnic imperatives to join in verbal praise (46:8, 10; 48:12–13; 76:11). Like Psalm 48, it appears to be a liturgy punctuated by “we/our/us” confessions about God in the opening verses and in the refrain of verses 7 and 11. It is possible these may have been sung by a choir representing the congregation. In verses 4–6, a liturgist introduces and …