Be Still And Know . . .

Psalms 46:10

Have you ever wondered what God meant when He said to “Be still and know that I am God?” This is the verse for April on my Calendar at my work station. And as I sat here at my desk, between customer calls, I began to wonder just exactly what this might mean. First I wanted to look at the context in which it was used. So I read Psalms 46.

This Psalm is a declaration of God and His awesome power and might.

In verses 1-3 it presents God to us as a Refuge, and Strength. And tells us we should not be afraid – even if the whole world should fall apart beneath us (my paraphrase).

The next stanza, verses 4-6, which starts out telling about a river that flows out from the tabernacle (dwelling place) of God. When I read the footnote reference in my bible in Ezekiel 47:1-12, I felt like this river was the blood of Jesus because it tells of how the water of the river would heal all that it touched. And Psalms tells that this river makes the city of God glad, and was the Holy Place of God’s tabernacle. This, again, is a picture of Christ’s atonement, for when He died on the cross the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom to allow ALL to enter in; and God is in the very middle of it all. He will hold his kingdom together so that it will not be shaken. Even if every nation on earth was preparing for battle against it, just the sound of His voice could melt the earth beneath their feet.

Verse 7 is very straight forward, it says that God is with us and is a place we can come to in times of trouble – like soldiers run to the fort when they are under attack.

Verses 8-9 tell us to come and “behold” the works of the Lord. This word “behold” means more than just “see” it implies to see with great attention, gaze upon, watch and discern. So when we “see” the works of the Lord, they should be something we long to watch with rapt attention to every detail. To gaze at intently on, not just glance over lightly. Then the Psalmist gives a description of a few of God’s wondrous works – He stops wars and destroys the weapons thereof breaking them into pieced and burning the very modes of transporting the armies in a great fire.

It is after this intent gazing upon God’s works that the Psalmist tells us in verse 10 to “be still and know that I am God.” So how are we to “Be still.”

The dictionary has many definitions for the word “still.” The ones that pertain to this reference are those of an adjective which are:

Remaining in place or at rest; motionless; stationary: to stand still. Free from sound or noise, as a place or persons; silent: to keep still about a matter. Subdued or low in sound; hushed: a still, small voice. Free from turbulence or commotion; peaceful; tranquil; calm: the still air, without waves or perceptible current; not flowing, as water.

For the purposes of this verse I feel “still” means: Free from turbulence or commotion; peaceful; tranquil; calm. But an adjective is a helping word; it adds more meaning to the verb, or action word, of the sentence; in this case “know.” So let’s look at the meaning of that word:

To perceive or understand as fact or truth; to apprehend clearly and with certainty: I know the situation fully. To have established or fixed in the mind or memory: to know a poem by heart; Do you know the way to the park from here? To be cognizant or aware of: I know it. To understand from experience or attainment (usually fol. by how before an infinitive): to know how to make gingerbread. To be able to distinguish, as one from another: to know right from wrong. Archaic: To have sexual intercourse with. To be intimately close to; as in Jeremiah 31:34 “…for they shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord…”

Many of these definitions look like they would work, yet I think the best one for our purposes is: To be cognizant or aware of: I know it.

So let’s put these meanings together and see how our verse reads: “Be calm and free of commotion, very tranquil and be very aware, in that I AM God. I AM the one who can perform all of the acts mentioned here and much more….”

The rest of this verse says of God: “I will be exalted (lifted up, honored) among the nations. I will be exalted in all the earth!” So God tells us He will be honored (exalted) by everyone, by all of creation (in all the earth). Whether or not we have chosen to honor HIM with our lives of holiness, at the end of time when Jesus returns ALL will give HIM the honor that belongs only to HIM. But those who love and worship HIM should know this now and give HIM our best always.

The Psalmist goes on in verse 11 to tell us again that the Lord of host (hosts = God’s Heavenly Army and also the church) is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge (safe haven of protection like the army forts in old western movies.)

When we whole look at the whole Psalm my understanding of this passage looks like this:

PSALMS 46
(As I understand it)

1. God is my ever-present safe haven and the very strength of my life. Always ready to help me when I am in trouble.
2. I know I have nothing to be afraid of, even if the whole earth should fall apart and the mountains collapse into the oceans.
3. Even if all the rivers and oceans are full of high waves, and the mountains quake at their swelling forces. Stop and ponder this deeply (Selah).
4. The blood of Jesus flows from the heart of the church (the city of God) and washes away all sickness and disease, healing all who are touched by it. Calling the faithful to worship and be glad in His dwelling places (our bodies).
5. God is in the very middle of all this and we (His church and holy city) shall not be moved. God will help us as the sky lightens with the dawn of each day.
6. Even if all the nations call out their troops and wage war against Him, He will shout with a loud voice so mighty that it could melt the whole earth if He chose.
7. The Lord, God is with us, He alone is, was, and always will be our protection in difficult times. A safe haven to comfort us in times of need.
8. Come and intently gaze at, watch in sheer amazement, all the wondrous things God has done, is doing and will always do. He has even made desert places in the wilderness of the earth.
9. He makes wars come to an end by destroying the weapons being used, breaking them in pieces and even burning up the vehicles that are transporting the troops to the front lines.
10. Be calm, free of commotion, very tranquil and well rested, and be very aware that I AM God. I AM the one who can perform all of the acts mentioned here and much more. I will be honored (exalted) by everyone, by all of creation (in all the earth). Whether or not you have chosen to honor ME by living a life of holiness, at the end of time when I return ALL will give ME the honor that belongs to ME alone. But those who love and worship ME should already know and think on this deeply. And give ME your very best today and always!
11. The Lord, God is with us, He alone is, was, and always will be our protection in difficult times. A safe haven to comfort us in times of need.


So when all is chaos and turmoil round about you, “Be still and know that I am GOD!” Says Jesus.