Psalm 46/Notes/Phrasal.v. 2.461827

In v. 2a, some modern translations take a refuge and stronghold (מחסה ועז) as a hendiadys (e.g., "strong refuge"). But it is better to translate these terms separately and treat them as a type of fixed compound.^[1]

Refuge (מחסה) signifies a place that is safe and inaccessible (cf. Ps 104:18). According to SDBH, it is a "location where one goes to find protection or safety" in difficult circumstances. Of significance for Psalm 46 is that in the Psalter as a whole, מחסה often represents God himself as the refuge for his people^[2] or “the asylum function of the sanctuary”.^[3]

↑ Cf., Goldingay 2007: 67; "God is a strong refuge." Cf. Ps 71:7: מחסי עז/"my strong refuge." Keeping the two separate (i.e., a "refuge" and "stronghold") is preferable, as this would match v. 3 where people are said not to be afraid when the earth changes and when the mountains topple. Notably in Psalm 46, the text strings together a series of roles and capacities in which God serves as support to his people ("a refuge", "stronghold", "help" here, and then a "fortress" in vv. 8, 12). Reflecting this series, the text also speaks of a series of circumstances in which God can be relied on and trusted. To keep all of these separate and visible is preferable to appreciate the message of the psalm. Note also the following texts: Jer 16:19: יהוה עזי ומעזי ומנוסי ביום צרה/"O LORD, my strength and my stronghold, And my refuge in the day of distress,..."; Joel 3:16b: ויהוה מחסה לעמו ומעוז לבני ישראל/"But the LORD is a refuge for His people and a stronghold to the sons of Israel."; Ps 91:2: אמר ליהוה מחסי ומצודתי אלהי אבטח־בו/"I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!"; Ps 61:3: כי־היית מחסה לי מגדל־עז מפני אויב׃/"For You have been a refuge for me, A tower of strength against the enemy."
↑ Pss 14:6; 46:2; 61:4; 62:8, 9; 71:7; 73:28; 91:2, 9; 94:22; 142:6; cf. Prov 14:26; Jer 17:17; Joel 4:16.
↑ Pss 14:6; 61:3; 62:7f.; 71:7; etc. (Kraus 1988: 461).

[1] Cf., Goldingay 2007: 67; "God is a strong refuge." Cf. Ps 71:7: מחסי עז/"my strong refuge." Keeping the two separate (i.e., a "refuge" and "stronghold") is preferable, as this would match v. 3 where people are said not to be afraid when the earth changes and when the mountains topple. Notably in Psalm 46, the text strings together a series of roles and capacities in which God serves as support to his people ("a refuge", "stronghold", "help" here, and then a "fortress" in vv. 8, 12). Reflecting this series, the text also speaks of a series of circumstances in which God can be relied on and trusted. To keep all of these separate and visible is preferable to appreciate the message of the psalm. Note also the following texts: Jer 16:19: יהוה עזי ומעזי ומנוסי ביום צרה/"O LORD, my strength and my stronghold, And my refuge in the day of distress,..."; Joel 3:16b: ויהוה מחסה לעמו ומעוז לבני ישראל/"But the LORD is a refuge for His people and a stronghold to the sons of Israel."; Ps 91:2: אמר ליהוה מחסי ומצודתי אלהי אבטח־בו/"I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!"; Ps 61:3: כי־היית מחסה לי מגדל־עז מפני אויב׃/"For You have been a refuge for me, A tower of strength against the enemy."

[2] Pss 14:6; 46:2; 61:4; 62:8, 9; 71:7; 73:28; 91:2, 9; 94:22; 142:6; cf. Prov 14:26; Jer 17:17; Joel 4:16.

[3] Pss 14:6; 61:3; 62:7f.; 71:7; etc. (Kraus 1988: 461).

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