Be Still and Know

“Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Yet if I put such a phrase alongside the reality of my life, most of the time my life reflects, “Be busy and stressed and know that I am tired!” Anyone? Psalm 46:10, one of the most beloved verses of the Bible. But do we really understand its context or meaning? Scholars propose it was written surrounding the tense warfare between Judah and the Ammonites and Moabites. Jehoshaphat and crew were terrified of the reported impending war. In short, Jehoshaphat called the people to pray and fast, God’s response was “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15). Men were appointed to sing and praise. In their worship, God intervened, and Judah was victorious.

Psalm 46. The Psalmist writes 10 of the 11 verses from the 3^rd person, talking about God. The wet ink encourages that even in natural disasters and national uproar, “Come and see the works of the LORD. He makes. He breaks” (vv8-9). Then in verse 10, the writing changes. It is now from the 1^st person—I. It is as if God caused the writer to pause, whispering in his ear, tell them, “Rapah yada Elohim” (Hebrew) “Be still and know I am God.” 

Powerful.

When studying the scriptures, looking at the original language and grammar gives us great insight and some amazing principles to pull forward and help apply to our own circumstances. This phrase holds two imperative verbs, meaning they are both commands. Be still! Know!  

If it’s good for the nations, it’s good for the individual.

God commands us to know Him. That means it is entirely possible, desirable AND (wait for it)—expected. But not only this, but the 1^st verb (be still) points to the 2^nd (know). We are still IN ORDER to know God. It isn’t just slowing down, or I’ll get to it when it is convenient. When life is crazy, stressful or filled with pain. STOP. God loves full stop. It is in the STOP He has our attention. I am learning our (my) stop isn’t retreating—it is surrendering. Stopping my pointless human effort to fight a battle bigger than myself. 

Another interesting point: (Hang with me, this is good). Of the uses of rapah (be still, cease or let go, let drop) the (BDAG*) defines rapah as “to stand empty.”  Rapah (raw-faw) it is often connected with yad (hand).  Some scholars suggest (this verse) could convey the idea: What is it that you hold in your hand?  Let go. Let it drop. Drop your weapons. I would offer, for some of us, we hold with a fisted hand(s). Perhaps God wants us to open our hands—palms down. Palms down does not offer a hesitant release; it is immediate. Standing empty.

God is not asking us to be quiet (although that DOES help) when surrendering. Location is not a huge factor (however, a quiet place contributes). Nor is our physical posture the make it or break it element (Yet face down, does have “I can’t see the distractions” with my face on the carpet, benefits). But He does tell us, it’s not about our circumstance. It is all about HIM. “The fear of God came upon all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard how the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel” (2 Chronicles 20:29).  

In our surrender, palms down, may we (I) know the power and security of our God.  Be still and know that I am God. 

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another toward love & good deeds” – Hebrews 10:24).

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*BDAG is an abbreviation for a Greek-English Lexicon of the NT (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich). Greek? The Septuagint is the Greek version of the OT.