Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 46:6

"The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved: He uttered his voice, the earth melted." — Psalms 46:6 (ASV)

The heathen raged - The nations were in commotion, or were agitated like the waves of the sea. This language would well describe the consternation of the nations when the Assyrians went out to conquest, and when, having subdued so many other kingdoms, they made war on Jerusalem. .

The kingdoms were moved - That is, those who were invaded, as well as those that made the invasion. There was a general convulsion or shaking among the nations of the earth.

He uttered his voice - God spoke; he gave command; he expressed his will. (Habakkuk 3:6).

The earth melted - The very earth seemed to melt or dissolve before him. Everything became still. The danger passed away at his command, and the raging world became calm. The Bible abounds in language of this kind, showing the absolute power of God, or his power to control all the raging elements on land and ocean by a word. (Compare the notes at Psalms 33:9). (See also Psalms 107:25, Psalms 107:29; Matthew 8:26).