Psalm 46 contains the well-known verse, “Be still and know that I am God.” It is used in a few devotional senses, most often evoking the notion of sitting quietly, meditating (biblically) on God, and trusting in him who governs all things. The applications of the verse range from “listen for the still small voice,” “lean not on your own understanding,” and “stop trying to do things on your own.” The proper application is indeed recognizing who God is and trusting his hand even amid chaos; he is God and in control. In fact, an application of recognized protection is actually greater than we may realize when we consider the context of the Psalm. While this verse was indeed comforting to the people of Israel, the comfort came from God’s address to the nations and its implications for Israel.

The Psalm is a Psalm of trust and comfort, highlighting God’s presence in and protection of his people from evils (natural and moral). Indeed, Psalm 46 inspired Luther’s classic, “A Mighty Fortress.” Before verse 10, the Psalm speaks of trust in God amid evils and chaos and many commentaries assume this is a Psalm written during wartimes. Nonetheless, in verse 9, we read that God makes wars cease to the end of the earth: ” He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.” The picture is nearly, if not, a quiet battlefield where the fighting has ceased, and in verse 10, God interjects amid the Psalmists’ words:

“Be still and know that I am God.”

Instead of saying, “Be still,” some translations will render the term “cease striving.” For example, “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (LSB). The LSB places “striving” in italics to indicate the word doesn’t appear in the original language but is implied by it. The LSB isn’t alone here. You’ll see this in the NASB and NET, with the CSB reading “stop fighting” and NETS “relax.” Regardless, following this is a chorus (v. 11) repeated from v. 7, God is with us; he is our fortress.” God ceases wars and chaos. Indeed, he commands them to “be still!” 

What is being said here,

“is not in the first place comfort for the harassed but a rebuke to a restless and turbulent world: ‘Quiet!’ – in fact, ‘Leave off!’ It resembles the command to another raging sea: ‘Peace! Be still!’ And the end in view is stated in terms not of man’s hopes but of God’s glory. His firm intention ‘I will be exalted’ (so AV, RV, more accurately than RSV) is enough to arouse the resentment of the proud but the longing and resolve of the humble: ‘Be exalted, O God, above the heavens’ (57:11).” [1] 

Further,

“This verse is often translated as “be still and know that I am God,” and as such, it is whispered pietistically in prayer or printed in calming script amid pastoral scenes on posters and internet memes. While such “receptions” of the verse are legitimate, the phrase in the psalm itself is more like a shout than a whisper. God shouts, “Silence!” The meaning is that all creation should cease struggling against and defying the life-giving will of the Creator— “cease to do evil, learn to do good,” as the prophet Amos wrote. Put down your weapons, set aside your sinful will, and align yourself with the God of life.” [2] 

Contextually, the Psalm is about God’s protection of his people. Verse 10 calls for the hostile nations to “stop” and recognize who the protector is: “I am God,” who will be “exalted among the nations.” The NET notes summarize it well: “It is more likely that the words are directed to the nations, who are actively promoting chaos and need a rebuke.”

The common application of comfort for the believer is valid, though I think it’s taking the wrong road to the right city. Indeed, applying a rebuke to the nations so quickly to God’s people is quite interesting! Scripture does teach that we should put off anxieties (Philippians 4:6-7) and that God is working for our good (Romans 8:28), but this “be still” is a silencing of God’s opponents, “the nations” (who would be understood as the Gentiles) or the world in general.

We can take comfort in this, but mostly in an eschatological sense, given that we are not living in this immediate context of Israel (possibly during wartime). The theology of God’s good providence and final ceasing of striving (whether war, chaos, or sin in general) indeed is true; we know this from all of revelation. We absolutely know that in the last days, God will “break the bow and shatter the spear and burn the chariots” and protect those who are his. Indeed, he is the great Shepherd who protects his flock (John 10:11-16; Ezekiel 34:11-12; Isaiah 40:10-11).

For the ones who strive against him, he warns,  “For behold Yahweh will come in fire. And his chariots like the whirlwind, To return His anger with wrath, and His rebuke with flames of fire. For Yahweh will execute judgment by fire and by His sword on all flesh, and those slain by Yahweh will be many.” (Isaiah 66:15-16). Indeed Isaiah 65 and 66 provide statements on the end times that we’ll recognize from our reflections on the New Testament, a mix of comfort and understandable trembling.

When the day of judgment has passed and God’s people remain, “Behold the tabernacle of God is among men, and he will dwell among them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be among them, and he will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there will be no longer any death; there will no longer be any mourning or crying or pain. The first things passed away.” (Revelation 21:3-4). 

To the nations, then, we say, cease striving against him, know that he is God, and turn to him. Trust in Jesus Christ the Lord for the kingdom of God is at hand (1 Thessalonians 5). For us, we indeed ought to take the time to reflect on who God is and his providence, and this verse can be taken as a great comfort concerning the coming New Heavens and New Earth. We can be comforted in that in Christ, we are not striving against God but have peace with God (Romans 5:1; 8:1). 

This can also cause us to search ourselves to see if we are striving against God, sowing what is contrary to God’s will. The proper response is to reflect on the imperative to cease striving and walk in our lifestyle of repentance. We can further reflect on whether we trust God’s divine intervention and ultimate protection of his people in the last days, knowing that our suffering here is temporary (2 Corinthians 4:17-18) and that the chaos of our present-day is a fleeting blip in time. 

We can sit back and sing with Luther,

“A mighty Fortress is our God
A Bulwark never failing
Our Helper He amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing

For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe
His craft and power are great
And armed with cruel and hate
On earth is not his equal

Did we in our own strength confide
Our striving would be losing
We’re not the right Man on our side
The Man of God’s own choosing
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He
Lord Sabaoth His Name
From age to age, the same
And He must win the battle

That word above all earthly powers
No, thanks to them, abideth
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Through Him who with us sideth
Let goods and kindred go
This mortal life also
The body they may kill
God’s truth abideth still
His Kingdom is forever”

[1] Longman III, Tyndale OT Commentary

[2] Jacobson, Psalm 46: Translation, Structure, and Theology.