God is for us refuge and protection,
A thoroughly proven helper in times of trouble.
Therefore, we are not going to be afraid when the earth quakes,
Or when the mountains totter in the heart of the sea--
whose waters roar and foam,
at whose arrogance the mountains reel.
Yahweh with the Heavenly Armies is on our side;
the God of Jacob is for us a stronghold.
There is a river--
whose streams give cheer to the people of God,
the holy dwelling place of the Might High.
God is in their midst, she will never totter;
God will provide help at the break of day.
Nations roar,
Kingdoms totter,
God speaks out,
The earth dissolves.
Yahweh with the Heavenly Armies is on our side;
the God of Leah is for us a stronghold.
Come, see the accomplishments of Yahweh,
the desolations he brings about in the earth.
Yahweh stops wars up to the earth’s borders,
shatters bows,
smashes spears,
burns chariots with fire.
Relax! Know that I am God--
praised and confessed by the warlike nations,
praised and confessed by the whole natural earth.
Yahweh with the Heavenly Armies is on our side;
the God of Rachel is for us a stronghold.
© Ralph W. Klein
December 7, 2000