Psalm 46:10 Text
King James Version (KJV)
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
World English Bible (WEB)
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.”
What Psalm 46:10 Means
This verse is often printed on peaceful landscape images, yet it is spoken in a setting of upheaval. The psalm describes mountains falling into the sea and nations in uproar, and then God speaks: be still and know that he is God. The Hebrew word for be still means to let go or relax your grip, and it can also mean to cease striving. It reads less like a call to quiet meditation and more like a command to stop panicking and to stop fighting in your own strength, because God is in charge. The second half says he will be exalted among the nations (the older English word heathen in KJV means non-Israelite peoples), so the claim is that God will be honored worldwide. The WEB places the whole sentence in quotation marks, showing that the words are God's own voice.
Context of Psalm 46:10
Psalm 46 is attributed to the sons of Korah, a family of temple singers in ancient Israel, and was probably used in worship in Jerusalem. It opens with God as a refuge and strength, describes natural and political chaos, and refrains that the LORD of hosts is with us. Many scholars link its imagery to Jerusalem's deliverance from invasion, though the psalm does not name a specific event. To read the whole book, see random verse from Psalms.
How to Apply Psalm 46:10
When you are worried, try pausing for a minute with open hands and reading this verse slowly. The aim is not to empty your mind but to remind yourself that you are not in charge of everything. Then name one thing you can release to God today and take one practical step with the rest.
Related Verses
- Psalm 46:1-2 – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
- Exodus 14:13-14 – And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD , which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
- Isaiah 30:15 – For thus saith the Lord GOD , the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.
- Psalm 37:7 – Rest in the LORD , and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
Looking for more verses on this theme? Browse Bible Verses About Peace, each with a short note on its context.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does be still and know that I am God mean?
It is God's command, in the middle of crisis, to stop striving and recognize that he is God. The phrase calls for trust and surrender, not just quiet. The psalm's setting suggests that stillness here means confidence in God's power when things around you are shaking.
Is Psalm 46:10 about silent meditation?
Many people use it that way, and quiet prayer can be valuable. But the original meaning is wider. God is speaking to nations in turmoil, telling them to cease fighting and acknowledge him. The practice of stillness fits with the verse, though it is not the only thing the verse means.
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