9. There Is A River

(Psalm 46)

Psalm 46.1-4 sings a beautiful image of how God’s presence surrounds God’s people, particularly during trouble.

At the center of this song is the beautiful image of water flowing through Zion city. Whatever this river is, wherever its origin and destination, these streams mean gladness to the community, the city where the Most High lives. Consider it a metaphor for God’s healing, life-giving presence among God’s people.

Behind the song: The refrain unpacks the image with the joyously gospel style. Our relationship with God is both something set in covenant stone through God’s claim on us in Baptism, and also a dynamic, developing, ongoing relationship. So God is both home and journey. The latter speaks of God as bestower of Torah, even as Christ is named The Way. I like this connection across the Testaments.

It has been written by authors Donald Miller and Brian McLaren that faith in the post-modern era is about relationship, not belief. “God Is Our Refuge and Strength” insists both sensibilities are important. God is encountered in creed as a rational ascent to truth. God is also encountered in deep wordless mystery along the way of life.

VERSE
There is a river
There is a river
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God

REFRAIN
God is our home, God is our journey
We will not fear though trouble comes, for we are carried