Psalm 46 - Be still and know

Psalm 46 - Be still and know

Read: Psalm 46 vs 1-11

Psalm 46 is a great Psalm and there is a lot in it. While some of the Psalms are very personal this Psalm is a big Psalm calling us together, summoning us as sisters and brothers in Christ, to think through who God is, what we believe about Him, and how that transforms what we think about, and how we react to, what is going on in the world around us.

The Psalm starts with a stirring statement of trust and faith:

‘God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.’

A ‘refuge’ is something you retreat to, a ‘strength’ is something that sends you positively into the day ahead. God is both of these things. Because of this the Psalmist is able to say that they will not fear. This decision not to fear is not based on the fact that things around them are calm or unthreatening. Verses 1-3 imagine a number of threats from the natural world that could at any moment sweep people away. The image of mountains falling into the heart of the sea is a terrifying picture of nature that is out of control and that threatens to destroy everything in its path. 

But even though mountains could fall, the Psalmist sees a vision of ‘the city of God’ that will not fall (vs 4-5). This is the place where God dwells. The message is clear and even defiant. It reminds me of the words of an old hymn ‘All may fail, but Jesus never – glory to His Name!’

If Psalm 46 was illustrated by pictures there would be some spectacular images, the roaring waters of vs 3, nations in uproar (vs 6) making war against each other. Amidst such scenes of chaos the Psalm announces the reality and presence of ‘The LORD Almighty’ and He is with us! This ancient and proven God is our fortress.

It is against this backdrop, in the light if these great truths that the Psalmist summons His first readers as He summons us:

‘Be still, and know that I am God; 

I will exalted among the nations, 

I will be exalted in the earth.

The LORD Almighty is with us;

The God of Jacob is our fortress.’

Prayer: Lord help me to be still. No matter how frightening the world is, no matter what is going on in the news. Help me to be still. You are God. Help that to change how we think about today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.