Every time I read or recite this psalm, I’m taken back in time to a season when, externally, trouble was obvious and certainly promoting internal struggles in many hearts.
I refer to the crises precipitated into Montserrat’s life during the eruption of the Soufrière Hills Volcano. In July 1995, the local population became aware of an erupting volcano in our midst. Then pyroclastic flows became a usual phenomenon to which we were eyewitnesses. And verses 2 and 3 sounded like they were written for our time and place.
“2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with tumult!
Wow! I asked myself. Did the psalmist experience a volcanic eruption too? Notwithstanding whatever else the psalm was about, it was enough for me to understand and to help others believe that what we were experiencing was nothing new to God our very PRESENT HELP in that trouble.
Wow! Did persons not rely on God? If the outburst of talent and creativity was anything against which to judge resilience, I’d say we were mostly better of for having gone through these troublesome times. Yes, we lost a lot of material stuff. Many lost houses, lands and all they owned. A few broke down. Very few given the magnitude of the troubles we faced.
There was plenty loss but much more gain.
I can only give you small samples of sung lyrics to share the lessons. “Every Disaster Must Cease,” written by Zunky and sung by Tanty; “One Day at a Time” by Reality; “One More River To Cross,” by Cupid; “Have a Little Faith,” penned by Reality and remade by Arrow; “One Day at a Time” by Arrow.
Wow! I can’t get into the unsung poetry or prose and wealth of drama in this piece. It was a lot. I wrote an entire section of my PhD thesis analysing some of these and their positive impact on a community.
All I can say is, God proved to be our Refuge and Strength, a very present Help in trouble. So when trouble comes, before it comes and after it goes, I remember to run to this Rock and if the terror is too hard to face, I hide in the Rock.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.