p. 3 | An Inspired War Song by J. S. WASHBURN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · May 13, 1915

An Inspired War Song

By J. S. WASHBURN

J. S. WASHBURN

WHEN God, as a “man of war,” in the great crisis of the ages goes forth to fight the last battle for his truth and for his people, his children will sing a glorious song of supreme faith and trust and of holy boldness and confidence, in the midst of the wreck of nature and of the whole world and the total ruin of civilization, a song divinely inspired for the time of war and trouble. This song is the forty-sixth psalm, which was written for the very day in which we live and for the terrible final conflict.

It is evident that it was written for the time of war. “The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved.” Verse 6, R. V. “He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth.” Verse 9. And referring to the time when God himself destroys them which destroy the earth, this great war song says, “He breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariots in the fire.” Verse 9.

It is evident also that it was written for the time of the coming of Christ; for in that day “the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed” (Isa. 54:10); “the mountains shall be thrown down” (Eze. 38:20); “the mountains quake at him, and the hills melt; and the earth is upheaved at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein” (Nahum 1:5, R. V.). “Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.” Ps. 46:2, 3.

Among the Hebrews in time of greatest trouble and persecution the forty-sixth psalm was sung because of the comfort and strong consolation of its wonderful promises and assurances. It is stated by Christian Hebrews that the forty-sixth psalm was the song sung by Paul and Silas in the Philippian dungeon when the walls fell down. If this is true, it certainly was appropriate for the time and the occasion.

Luther in times of greatest darkness and peril, when it would seem that there was no help for the Reformation in heaven or on earth, often would say to Melanchthon, “Come, Philipp, let us sing the forty-sixth psalm.” And as they sang these words of assurance in God, “a very present help in trouble,” into their heavy, troubled hearts came flowing peace and hope and courage and power. This psalm was the basis of Luther’s great Reformation hymn,—

“A mighty fortress is our God, A bulwark never failing.”

But although a comfort and a strength in every time of need, this psalm is pre-eminently an Adventist psalm, a song for the 144,000, for all who live amid the perils of the last days. Amid the increasing and almost overwhelming temptations of today, when Satan has come down with great wrath, knowing that he has but a short time; in the midst of danger and ruin and death, when hearts tremble for loved ones; on the terrible fields of battle, when the hearts of the strong men fail for fear, and the knees of the mighty smite together,—we may not only pray with strong assurance, but we may also sing this inspired battle song. As Israel of old sang in the face of overwhelming dangers, and their song brought victory, so let us sing today the song of trust and power.

If ever there was a time when the souls of men should turn in devotional song, as well as in prayer, to our Refuge, the Lord of hosts, the God of Jacob, it is in these solemn hours of human history, when war and perplexity among the nations have caused the foundation pillars of human civilization to tremble upon their base. The temple of human civilization may fall, and the end may come, but “the Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” So proclaims this wonderful inspired psalm.

And we shall actually sing this great battle hymn, in the very height of the great conflict, in the time of trouble. One of the most remarkable statements in that wonderful book, “The Great Controversy,” on pages 638, 639, is the following:—

“A marvelous change has come over those who have held fast their integrity in the very face of death. They have been suddenly delivered from the dark and terrible tyranny of men transformed to demons. Their faces, so lately pale, anxious, and haggard, are now aglow with wonder, faith, and love. Their voices rise in triumphant song: ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.’ While these words of holy trust ascend to God, the clouds sweep back, and the starry heavens are seen, unspeakably glorious in contrast with the black and angry firmament on either side. The glory of the celestial city streams from the gates ajar.”

Let us sing this glorious psalm today, that we may be able to sing it when heaven and earth are removed, and God alone is strength and refuge.

Philadelphia, Pa.