The meaning of Psalm 46:10 KJV & NIV

Psalm 46:10 is one of those scriptures that gives believers assurance of the omnipotent nature of God. We serve a most reliable and dependable God who is closer to us than we can ever imagine. He is our refuge and our sovereign God. “Be still” connotes to be quiet or to remain calm. Remain calm while He (God) takes His place and the earth trembles.

Let’s take a deep dive into and explore this scripture. 

 

1. Who wrote Psalm 46:10?

Psalm 46:10 was written by the sons of Korah, who are the descendants of the Levites when they needed to reassure themselves that God is their Saviour and deliverer whenever they call on Him in times of difficulties.

2. What is the meaning of Psalm 46:10?

Psalm 46:10 is talking about God’s splendor and power. Regardless of our situations, God is greater. He created us and knows our capabilities. He is telling us not to worry or panic over things we can’t control. We must cease striving in the energy of the flesh but recognize that He is God. Whatever problems we are faced with, we cannot overcome on our own.

The bigger our problems, the less we can handle them. We have to allow our deliverer to perform what He knows best. When we grant Him the rightful position as our refuge, He will be exalted in our midst and on the earth. He wants us to acknowledge Him always for who He is and what He can do.

3. What is Psalm 46 talking about?

Psalm 46 is about God being our stronghold in times of need. He is the shield we run to when we come across agents of destruction.

He upholds us from falling and failing and empowers us to face future uncertainties. He is a faithful God that can be trusted. No matter how the situation seems or how long you have been challenged, we must recognize that we have God’s protection.

He will always hearken to our call. The bible says in Psa 18:6 “In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears “. However, we must be intimate with Him and trust Him before He can silence every opposition on our paths.

He is our defender and deliverer from all chaos and rages of life. God is a dependable warrior that prepares His instrument of war and is readily available at all times. He has never lost any battle. We are commanded to let down our weapons of war and cease struggling on our own but allow God to have His way in our lives. Otherwise, we will be fighting a lost battle.

We cannot triumph or be victorious over the storms of life with our strength and might. Our strength cannot be compared with God’s. His victory must be known and honoured among the people and beyond the earth. 

4. What is the Message of Psalm 46?

The message of Psalm 46 is about the consciousness of the strength and safety in God whenever we are overwhelmed by life’s situations or in need of help.

This chapter reveals that God is always in our midst in our dark moments of life. I Cor 10:13 says “there hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it”. What a faithful and reliable God we have.

We must be bold in our walk with God. Fear may set in but Christ has given us victory over such because He is resident in our midst. Although one may experience difficulties and stress in life, our Saviour will bring His greatness to bear. When we cease to fight or struggle on our own and surrender to Him, we will encounter undeniable peace.

5. What does "Be Still and Know I am God" mean?

“Be still and know I am God” is about displaying our total confidence in the King of the universe.

Oftentimes, we are faced with pressures and tensions in life which tends to overcome us and God is telling us to let go of the grip but trust Him. I believe “Be still” is mentioned in the bible seven (7) times.

This was mentioned in I Kings 22:3 “And the king of Israel said unto his servants, Know ye that Ramoth in Gilead is ours, and we be still, and take it not out of the hand of the king of Syria?” The entire chapter talked about King Jehoshaphat, who is the King of Judah, and King Ahab, the King of Israel came together to fight King Ben-hadad, King of Syria. King Ahab relied on his “stronghold”, which is his intellect and seers, who are his strength.

He didn’t trust in God and His prophet even when King Jehoshaphat advised him to inquire from the Lord through His prophet (Micaiah).

King Ahab’s ego and pride were in play neither did he stop striving on his own. Therefore, the presence of God was not with him when he went out in battle against his opposition and he was slain. 

Psalm 4:4 “Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still”. We have the guarantee that when we offer our religious sacrifices to God and believe in Him, we draw closer to God and we enjoy His promises.

If we have any reason to be upset in the situation we find ourselves in, please do but don’t let your anger cause you to err against God. God is with us in every situation if only we have faith in Him by letting Him direct our life as he has promised and he will bring us to the place He has prepared for us. 

Psalm 84:4 also mentioned to “Be still”. “Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee”. One of the duties of man on earth is to praise and worship God.

This includes spiritual worship. Take note that God is not a taskmaster nor a user of men. Prov 14: 23a: says in all labour, there is profit. Dwelling in God’s house or sanctuary is a privilege to us. Psa 84:7 says: “They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God”. Zion also means the house of God. So, every time we appear before God, our strength is renewed. Verse 10 mentioned the blessedness of being in God’s house than pitch tent with the wicked.

There is so much joy in God’s presence. Therefore, we must keep praising God if we must continue to dwell in His house. For He alone is worthy to be praised and adored.

Isaiah 23:2 “Be still, ye inhabitants of the isle; thou whom the merchants of Zidon, that pass over the sea, have replenished.” To understand better, we have to read through the whole chapter. Prophet Isaiah prophesied the destruction and fall of a great empire called Tyre, saying it shall not be restored until after seventy (70) years. They were selfish and had been playing harlotry with God.

The people were not concerned about the things of God, they removed God from their lives and so God turned His back against them. However, their challenges brought them back to God. They were restored and things returned to normal.

We must recognize that we cannot do anything without the help of God. We are bound to fail without His help. Philippians 4:13 the scripture says “I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.” When we dedicate all that we do to God, then we are bound to triumph.

“Be still” was also mentioned in Jeremiah 47:6 “O thou sword of the Lord, how long will it be ere thou be quiet? Put up thyself into thy scabbard, rest, and be still”   The Spirit of the Lord prophesied a word of Judgment against the Philistines through Prophet Jeremiah due to the sins committed against God.

He became reluctant and felt the pain to pronounce the judgment on the people. The prophet pleaded on behalf of the Philistines that the sword of God should be laid to rest, meaning the Lord should cease destroying the Philistines. However, God’s intended punishment on the Philistines was unstoppable because there are consequences for every sin committed.

Another example is in Mark 4:39 “and he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” Jesus is the Prince of Peace. If the Disciples of Christ can be troubled and be in distress while Jesus was in their midst, then we cannot be excluded from the storms of life.

We are faced with storms and challenges of life daily but God has promised us in 1 Cor 10:13 “there hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 

When Jesus is in the boat of our life, we have the assurance of the Peace of God beyond human understanding. We must listen attentively to His voice and remember He alone can bring calmness to every situation and circumstance.

It’s surprising that even as Christians, we always want to be in control of every situation in our lives, forgetting that He is our creator, so He knows the best and has all things in His hands. Hallelujah!

Lastly, in Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth”. This simply means we should stop striving but be patient, be calm, and trust in Him. When in great turmoil, distress, sickness, or in trouble, He says we should cast away fears but place confidence in Him because He is our refuge and protector and by so doing, He will wrought wonders that the unbelievers and the entire people on earth will adore Him.  

6. What does I will be exalted among the nations mean?

“I will be exalted among the nations” is talking about the consequences of God’s defeat over every battle. He will be acknowledged as the mighty man in battle. 

Nations giving reverence to God for His wondrous acts in their midst. Psalm 57:5 can be likened to this saying “Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth”. 

When God is honoured above every other god, situations, and difficulties of life bow, His glory will be seen on earth in the lives of humans. He is the God of all possibilities, there is nothing difficult for Him. John 12:32 says “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me” 

Even amid life challenges, He will manifest Himself so that unbelievers will be drawn to Him and know Him better. He must be given His place in our lives so we can experience His wondrous acts on the earth. 

Philip 2:8-10 says “and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; ”  

Jesus was highly exalted by God and the result was that He was given a name above every other name, animate, inanimate, living and non-living things. To date, that name still speaks victory – Hallelujah! God will ensure that His glory is known in the world.

7. What does ‘I will be exalted in the earth!’ mean?

“I will be exalted in the earth” is about God been lifted high before all people of the earth.

Humans quiver when they know that you have a God that is always with you. We must never give up when we are face to face with trials. All you need to do is to surrender to God, recognize that He rules in the affairs of the earth and you will find peace for your soul. Then His fearsome acts will be made known upon the earth.

8. What does it mean to ‘Be still’ spiritually?

“Be still” spiritually means to allow to God take the lead to speak to you concerning the next step or direction to take and give Him the wheels of your life to direct you.

For He knows the end from the beginning, so He cannot mislead you because God has better plans for us. Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

 

9. How Psalm 46:10 is misunderstood or misused?

Common Misunderstanding of Psalm 46:10 is that a lot of people think to be still means being silent, to relax or fold your hands and do nothing while in distress or a stormy situation because God is our refuge.

No! This is not what it means because any faith that leaves God absolutely responsible is irresponsible. Faith is work: For faith without work is dead. As simple as salvation is, there is what to do.

You must confess your sins for you to be saved. A lot of people misuse this verse by leaving all their responsibilities for God and when they don’t see the result, they think God is partial. 

This verse is a command. It’s telling us to stop fighting the battle we cannot win on our own. He wants us to back off the stage, be quiet to hear what He will say to you in prayers when you pray or when you seek Him in fasting. God wants us to cease overstretching ourselves over the battles of life or over things that only Him have the power to overturn but to have confidence in Him.

This is a call to be in reverence to God. God is closer to us than the air we breathe, so He’s asking us not to be afraid but hold firm to the promises of His word. The bible admonishes us not to fear nor be anxious (Isa 43: 1) (Philippians 4:6-7) because all things are working together for good for those that love God (Rom 8:28)

10. A Psalm 46:10 ‘Be still and Know I am God’ reflection

As humans, we find anxiety and worry as normal and natural as if this will make things better or make us feel better. This is why God is telling us to be still. He is asking us to give up on anxieties and worries but rest in His strength and knowledge of Him. He is in charge of all the affairs of the earth. He is God alone over the whole world. We are not God. 

Until we recognize and acknowledge Him as God before we can experience His wondrous acts in our lives. We live in a dark world where we are daily faced with setbacks or problems far beyond our control. These problems can easily break us and make it difficult for us to trust God. Until we stop striving, God will not intervene and His mighty acts will not be made known in our lives and on the earth at large.

Whenever you are tempted or worried, trust in Him. He will calm the restlessness and storms of your life. Remember that God knew us before we were formed in our mother’s womb. He equally has a plan and purpose for each one of us.

We need not play God but cast our fears, worries, and anxieties on Him. He assured us in Isaiah 41:10 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” He will not allow us to be tempted above what He has empowered us to overcome. We must truly stand empty in ourselves but strong in the Lord, trusting always.

Without God, we can do nothing (John 15:5) we cannot fight any battle or do anything meaningful without the help of God. He created us and He knows that the devil will always roar his ugly head against His children. If we want Him to step in, we must lay aside pride, argument, intellect, or wisdom and surrender to Him, the all-powerful and never-failing God. 

Prayer: Father in the name of Jesus, help me to let go of my fears and worries. Relinquish me of every attempt in trying to do things myself. May I remain calm in all situations or setbacks I find myself. Help me to be still and rest in Your power. Amen.