Water is a frequent and familiar metaphor in scripture and because of its myriad manifestations in our world and experience, its face changes vastly depending on the passage you encounter.
In Psalm 46, water is seen first as an agent of chaos and power. It is shown with the power to shake mountains, even swallow them down into its foamy depths.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.”
Psalm 46:1-3 ESV
The disaster imagery in this passage brings images to mind of a tsunami. The earth quaking. The sea rising. Mountains and forests dropping debris. But even in the midst of that sort of terrifying chaos, when even the ground beneath your feet betrays you, the Psalm calls us to cling to God as our true refuge. That even should the chaos of our lives reach up to swallow us into its gaping jaws, we have no need to fear with God as our savior.
This puts me in mind of Matthew 8:23-27, where Jesus rises from His nap to a raging sea and a group of terrified, despairing disciples. A short rebuke reminds the chaos of nature who is LORD of the wind and the waves. The peace that comes after His reprimand makes the wild beating of the disciples hearts all the louder.
“What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”
Psalm 46 continues with a turn as sudden as Christ’s voice interrupting the storm mid-gale.
“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when the morning dawns.”
Psalm 46:4-5 ESV
The raging, foamy behemoth is reduced to a gentle, life-giving stream. It cools parched lips and refreshes budding blossoms within the city of God’s people. And the power of the storm is now one with the voice of the Almighty who melts the Kings and Kingdoms of chaos.
“The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Come behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.”
Psalm 46:6-9 ESV
Come and see weapons shatter and wars cease. Only the river remains and the voice of God speaks over the waters, just as it did at the dawn of creation, bringing chaos into order.
“‘Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exhausted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!’ The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
Psalm 46:10-11 ESV
Be still chaos of fallen creation. Be still corrupt kings and kingdoms of this age. Be still my beloved followers awaiting the day of my return. Know that I AM. Know it by my might and power to bring justice to the oppressed. Know it by how I will bring to nothing the wicked machinations of the powerful and corrupt rulers of this world. Know it by my strength and sovereign majesty to turn all the chaos of this fallen world from a rabid storm into a gentle, life-giving stream.
“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”
Revelation 22:1-2
Rachel Svendsen 
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