Psalm 46:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

NIV: He says, 'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.'

NASB: 'Stop striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted on the earth.'

CSB: "Stop fighting, and know that I am God, exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth."

NLT: 'Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.'

KJV: Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

NKJV: Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

This often-quoted verse comes in a specific context: God's omnipotent power to protect the nation of Israel from the hostile forces which attack her (Psalm 46:1–7). The phrase "be still" uses a Hebrew term which can be rendered as "relax," "let go," or "stop." It implies an act of surrender—a release of striving and hostility. Prior verses pointed out that attempting to fight against God is a losing proposition (Psalm 46:8–9). Those who rage against God (Psalm 2:1) would be better off letting go of frantic anger and accepting His truth instead.

In literal terms, this verse does not mean to "sit quietly and listen for God." That interpretation is not entirely flawed, of course. Where God's enemies need to "be still" by ending their tantrums against Him, God's people can "be still" by faithfully trusting God to be their source of strength (Exodus 14:13).

That trust and submission is key to what it means to "know that I am God." One might imagine a strong, protective parent telling a child, "don't be afraid, keep in mind how I've kept you safe in the past."

Scriptural references to "the nations" often mean the Gentile world: nations other than Israel. That same context also implies a message meant to be heard and understood by the entire world. This psalm calls upon all people to stop squabbling and know that the Lord is God. Psalm 2:10–12 issues similar counsel. The Lord advises the nations to be wise, to be warned, to serve the Lord with fear, to rejoice with trembling, and to kiss the Son. In other words, the Lord summons the nations to repent, throw down their weapons of warfare, and come to friendly terms with Him.

One way or another, God will be properly honored by all people and in all places on earth (Isaiah 45:23; Romans 14:11). Someday, at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess Christ as Lord, giving glory to God the Father (Philippians 2:10–11).

Psalm 46:8–11 invites worshipers to consider the peace God gives those who trust in Him. He triumphs over those who wage war, and He will be given His proper respect among the peoples of earth. He is with His chosen nation, Israel, as their protector and guardian. This might have been composed in response to one of God's miraculous rescues of Israel, such as when Assyria besieged the city (2 Kings 19:35).

Trust and thanksgiving are the main themes in Psalm 46. It begins with strong praise for God's strength and availability. It continues with the assurance that the nation of Israel need not fear, no matter what happens. Despite how anyone might rage, or strive, the psalm declares that God will one day judge mankind and put a dramatic end to war. The psalm ends as it began by confiding in the Lord of hosts, since He is with His people as their secure, undefeatable Protector. This psalm may have inspired Martin Luther to write the hymn "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God."

This psalm, found in the second division of Psalms (42—72), seems to have been composed for congregational worship. One possible background for this song is God's deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrians. They threatened the city in the time of King Hezekiah (2 Kings 18—19; 2 Chronicles 32; Isaiah 36—37). Scholars speculate Hezekiah may have written this psalm, as well as Psalms 47 and 48.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.