Meaning of Be Still in Psalm 46:10
Psalm 46:10 states, "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth" [1]. The phrase "be still" in this verse carries significant theological weight, often interpreted as an imperative to cease striving, to trust in God's sovereignty, and to recognize His ultimate authority.
The Hebrew word translated as "be still" (רָפָה, raphah) can mean "to slacken," "to let go," or "to cease" [7]. In the context of Psalm 46, which describes God as a refuge and strength amidst global turmoil and natural disasters, the command to "be still" is often understood as an exhortation to humanity, particularly the nations, to stop their opposition and recognize God's power [2, 3]. John Gill suggests that the words are spoken by the Lord to the nations of the world, urging them to "cease from war" or from attacking Jerusalem [3]. Similarly, the Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary interprets "be still" as "Leave off to oppose Me and vex My people. I am over all for their safety" [2]. This implies a cessation of hostile actions and a recognition of God's protective hand over His people.
Beyond ceasing outward conflict, "be still" also conveys an internal posture of quiet trust and submission. The Tyndale House commentary on Psalm 37:7, which uses a similar phrase, suggests that "we should let the Lord be God rather than taking matters into our own hands" [4]. This aligns with interpretations that see "be still" as an invitation to quiet patience under affliction, resting in God's will, much like Aaron's silence in Leviticus 10:2-3 or Job's patient endurance [7]. The command to "know that I am God" reinforces this, linking stillness with an understanding and acceptance of God's divine nature and supreme authority [1].
The Targum, an ancient Aramaic paraphrase, renders the phrase in some contexts as a command to "cease from war" [3]. Other interpretations, such as those by Abraham Ibn Ezra, connect the root of "be still" to the idea of commanding silence [5]. This multifaceted understanding of "be still" highlights both an outward cessation of activity and an inward posture of quiet reliance on God's omnipotence and sovereign plan [6].
Sources
- Psalms ““Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.” -- Psalms 46:10”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 46:10: Be still, &c.--literally, "Leave off to oppose Me and vex My people. I am over all for their safety." (Compare Isa 2:11; Eph 1:22). Next: Psalms Chapter 47”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 46:10: Be still, and know that I am God,.... These words are thought by some to be spoken by the Lord to the nations of the world, to "cease from war", as the Targum renders the words; or from going up any more against Jerusalem, as Jarchi interprets them; and that they were spoken to them before the breaking of their bows, &c. as Aben Ezra observes; or that they are an exhortation to them to cease from their evil works, and know that the Lord is God, and has power to raise up and to make low; which, is Kimchi's sense of the words: but they are rather a continuation of the ”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 37:7: 37:7 Be still: We should let the Lord be God rather than taking matters into our own hands.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Numbers 13:30: AND CALEB STILLED THE PEOPLE. Rabbi Jonah the grammarian says that the meaning of va-yahas (and…stilled) is: and he said be still ( hasu ).”
- Targum Jonathan (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Targum Jonathan, Targum Jonathan on Isaiah 46:10: Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:”
- Lamentations (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Lamentations 3:26: quietly wait--literally, "be in silence." Compare Lam 3:28 and Psa 39:2, Psa 39:9, that is, to be patiently quiet under afflictions, resting in the will of God (Psa 37:7). So Aaron (Lev 10:2-3); and Job (Job 40:4-5).”