"I was shown a cluster of trees, standing near together, forming a circle. Running up over these trees was a vine which covered them at the top, and rested upon them, forming an arbor. Soon I saw the trees swaying to and fro, as though moved by a powerful wind. One branch after another of the vine was shaken from its support, until the vine was shaken loose from the trees, except a few tendrils which were left clinging to the lower branches. A person then came up and severed the remaining clinging tendrils of the vine, and it lay prostrated upon the earth. LS 176.1"
"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."
The imagery of the vine and branches in EGW's vision strongly echoes the vine metaphor used by Jesus in John 15:5. The shaking and severing of the vine from its support in EGW's vision can be interpreted as a separation from Christ, the true vine.
"Many passed and looked pityingly upon it, and I waited anxiously for a friendly hand to raise it; but no help was offered. I inquired why no hand raised the vine. Presently I saw an angel come to the apparently deserted vine. He spread out his arms and placed them beneath the vine, and raised it so that it stood upright, saying: “Stand toward heaven, and let thy tendrils entwine about God. Thou art shaken from human support. Thou canst stand, in the strength of God, and flourish without it. Lean upon God alone, and thou shalt never lean in vain, or be shaken therefrom.” LS 176.2"
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
The Psalm speaks of God as a refuge and help in trouble. The EGW passage describes an angel raising a vine (representing the author) and encouraging it to rely on God for strength when human support fails. This aligns with the Psalm's theme of God being a source of strength and help during difficult times.
"As I saw the neglected vine cared for, I felt inexpressible relief, amounting to joy. I turned to the angel and inquired what these things meant. Said he: “Thou art this vine. All this thou wilt experience, and then, when these things occur, thou shalt fully understand the figure of the vine. God will be to thee a present help in time of trouble.” LS 176.3"
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
The EGW passage directly quotes the angel as saying, "God will be to thee a present help in time of trouble," which is a direct allusion to Psalm 46:1.