John Gill Commentary Psalms 46:9

"He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; He breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; He burneth the chariots in the fire." — Psalms 46:9 (ASV)

He makes wars to cease to the ends of the earth. As at the birth of Christ, the Prince of peace, in the times of Augustus Caesar, when there was a general peace in the world, though it did not last long; and in the times of Constantine, signified by silence in heaven for half an hour, (Revelation 8:1); when for a while there was a cessation from wars and persecution; and as will be in the latter day, and which is here chiefly designed; when nations shall learn war no more, and Christ's kingdom will take place; of which and its peace there shall be no end, (Isaiah 2:4) (Isaiah 9:6Isaiah 9:7) (Psalms 72:7).

The consideration of which may serve to relieve distressed minds under terrible apprehensions of present troubles and public calamities;

he breaks the bow, and cuts the spear in sunder; he burns the
chariot in the fire; that is, "chariots", or "carts" ^F25 or "wagons", in which, as Aben Ezra observes, arms and provision were carried for the use of soldiers; the Targum renders it "round shields" ^F26: and the destroying of all these military weapons and carriages is a token of peace, and of war's being caused to cease, there being no more use for them; with this compare (Ezekiel 39:8Ezekiel 39:9). It was usual to burn the arms of enemies taken in war ^F1.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F25: (twlge) "plaustra", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Musculus, Gejerus, Michaelis.
• F26: So the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Ethiopic and Arabic versions.
• F1: Vid. Lydium de Re Militari, l. 6. c. 4. p. 229, 230.