Psalm 46:10 has delivered peace to innumerable souls. It is a passage that many go to in times of heartache, confusion, and loneliness. But what exactly does it mean to be “still” as the Lord demands in the Psalm?
The Hebrew language is quite peculiar because a word can have a variety of different uses. For example, Samuel uses the word “still” in 1 Samuel 15:16 when he tells Saul to “stop” or “wait.” This was Samuel’s way of getting Saul to cease whatever he was doing or thinking; it was a time of correction.
The Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains defines this word as being slack, waiting, no movement, and remaining alone. Literally speaking, it means to be liberated from any activity.
When looking at the LXX (Greek Old Testament), the word is translated to skole. This is the origin of our English word, “school.” When modified, the word means “to be without occupants, to stand empty” (Greek-English Lexicon). This can be seen in something like an empty lecture hall (Acts 19:9).
With this in mind, one can approach Psalm 43 in a new light. The song is composed of three strophes and a central idea of God being a reliable source of shelter. The first strophe (46:1-3) focuses on the confidence spawned from God’s presence. The second strophe (46:4-7) hones in on God’s power over all creation. The third and final strophe (46:8-11) is an invitation to observe God’s hand in all wars.
Battles come in all shapes and sizes. People fight with grief, fear, guilt, anxiety, hatred, resentment, and most prominent of all is the battle with self. God very plainly and simply says, “be still.” Stop, cease your activity, empty yourself, be as an open lecture hall – and know that He is.
One more interesting thing to note about this word “still,” is the idea of bringing down. As mentioned earlier, Hebrew words can be used in different ways. This particular word can be used to denote. Passages like Isaiah 5:24, Ezekiel 1:24, Nehemiah 6:9, and Judges 8:3 all use the word in order to dictate a “letting down” or a “lowering” action. This seems to fit the Psalm as well. It seems that everyone knows the first part of Psalm 46:10, “be still and know that I am God,” but forgets to mention the following two statements: “I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.”
Our only opportunity to lower ourselves is when we are still. And when we lower ourselves, we can then lift God up and know His power to conquer all.
I can’t help but remember when Jesus spoke, “peace, be still” to the violent waves. What powerful words from an almighty King to stop the raging sea. God, in the midst of your storm, demands you to be still and allow Him to be exalted.
Tyler King