Psalm 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9

Our responsorial for today’s feast comes from Psalm 46, which celebrates God as the unshakable refuge and strength of his people.

The psalm’s image of a river whose streams bring joy to the city of God echoes Ezekiel’s vision of life-giving water flowing from the temple, symbolizing God’s sustaining presence among his people.

God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress.
Therefore, we fear not, though the earth be shaken and mountains plunge into the depths of the sea.

The psalm opens with a declaration of unshakable trust in God’s protection. Even if creation itself seems to unravel, the faithful do not fear, for God’s presence is stronger than even the greatest imaginable chaos.

There is a stream whose runlets gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High.

The tone shifts from chaos to serenity. The stream symbolizes the life-giving grace that flows from God’s presence, recalling the waters of Eden (Genesis 2:10) and anticipating Ezekiel’s vision of the life-giving river flowing from the temple (Ezekiel 47:1-12, our first reading).

The “city of God” is Jerusalem, where God dwells in the Temple.

Before King David captured the city of Jerusalem, the god that the Jebusites worshiped there was named Most High (‘elyôn, see Genesis 14:18-19). After the Israelites conquered the city, they appropriated much of the religious culture found there and incorporated it into their own tradition. They insisted that their God, the God of Israel, was the Most High.

God is in its midst; it shall not be disturbed; God will help it at the break of dawn.

The Israelites believed that Zion was not only sacred but also secure, because God dwelt there in a very special way.

Dawn, the time when darkness is conquered, reveals God as their protector.

The LORD of Hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob.

The title “The LORD of Hosts” is one of the most ancient and evocative names for God in Scripture, appearing more than 280 times in the Old Testament. In early Israelite usage, it referred to the armies of Israel — God’s people, who served as his instrument in battle and history (1 Samuel 17:45). As Israel’s faith deepened, “hosts” came to signify the heavenly hosts — the countless angels who serve and worship God (1 Kings 22:19; Nehemiah 9:6). Thus the title expanded from a national image to a cosmic one: God is the sovereign commander of the heavenly armies and ruler of all creation, visible and invisible.

Despite its grandeur, this title is often paired with the phrase “the God of Jacob” or “the God of Israel,” as seen here. This pairing reveals the mystery at the heart of the faith: the transcendent Lord of the universe is also the God who dwells intimately with his people.

Come! Behold the deeds of the LORD, the astounding things he has wrought on earth. 

The invitation to “behold the deeds of the LORD” calls the faithful to remember God’s works of creation and redemption — signs of his power that inspire awe and confidence.

Their magnificence should instill both gratitude and confidence in the hearts of all.