Psalm 46 10

Psalm 46:10 kjv

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Psalm 46:10 nkjv

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

Psalm 46:10 niv

He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

Psalm 46:10 esv

"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

Psalm 46:10 nlt

"Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world."

Psalm 46 verses

Psalm 46 10 Meaning

Psalm 46:10 is a direct declaration from God, commanding humanity to cease their striving and anxieties, recognizing His supreme authority and nature. It calls for an active stillness and a profound, experiential knowing of God as the sovereign Creator who will be universally exalted over all nations and the entire earth. It is an invitation to find rest and confidence in His unwavering power amidst chaos.

Psalm 46 10 Context

Psalm 46 is a psalm of confidence and refuge, often associated with the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem from a foreign invader, potentially the Assyrian siege under Sennacherib (2 Kgs 19). The surrounding verses describe tumultuous natural disasters and international warfare (earthquakes, mountains shaking, roaring nations, tottering kingdoms). Yet, amidst this chaos, the psalm declares God as an ever-present refuge and strength, especially manifest in His dwelling within Jerusalem (the city of God). Verse 10, therefore, is God's direct and sovereign command, shifting from the psalm's initial declaration about Him to His own declaration. It comes as a climax to the depiction of His overwhelming power and intervention (verse 8: "Come, see the works of the LORD..."). The command is directed at the warring nations (implied from earlier verses) and universally to all of humanity who might doubt His authority.

Psalm 46 10 Word analysis

• Be still (Hebrew: raphah, רָפָה): This imperative does not merely mean "be quiet" or "cease talking." Its primary meaning is "to let go," "to relax," "to sink down," "to cease striving," or "to drop the hands." It implies an active disengagement from human effort, anxious thoughts, and self-reliance in the face of overwhelming circumstances. It's a call to cease agitation and rely fully on God's power. It can also suggest allowing God to act without human interference.
• and know (Hebrew: yada, וּדְעוּ): This is also an imperative. The word yada implies not just intellectual assent or head knowledge, but deep, intimate, experiential, and covenantal knowledge. It signifies recognition, understanding, and personal acknowledgment of God's character and power. It's about knowing God by observing His actions and experiencing His presence, leading to trust and submission.
• that I (Hebrew: ki anochi, כִּי אָנֹכִי): Ki means "for" or "because," introducing the reason for the command. Anochi is the emphatic first-person singular pronoun "I," stressing the personal and supreme identity of the speaker—God Himself. It underscores His absolute authority and distinctiveness from all other claimants to power.
• am God (Hebrew: Elohim, אֱלֹהִים): This is the generic but powerful name for God, emphasizing His role as Creator, Judge, and the ultimate Sovereign Being. It signifies His absolute deity, power, and might over all creation and all other perceived "gods" or powers.
• I will be exalted (Hebrew: arom, אֵרוֹם): This verb implies a future, certain elevation and recognition. It means to be lifted high, praised, glorified, and acknowledged as supreme. The repetition of arom emphasizes the certainty and totality of this future exaltation.
• among the nations (Hebrew: baggoyim, בַגּוֹיִם): Refers to the Gentile nations, all non-Israelite peoples. This indicates that God's future exaltation and acknowledgment are not limited to Israel but are universal in scope, encompassing the entire world.
• I will be exalted (Hebrew: arom, אֵרוֹם): Repetition for powerful emphasis, underscoring the absolute certainty and immensity of His universal exaltation.
• in the earth (Hebrew: ba'aretz, בָאָרֶץ): This phrase encompasses all creation and humanity, even broader than "the nations." It signifies that God's reign and recognition will be universal, permeating every corner of the globe, signifying a complete and final dominion.

• "Be still, and know": This phrase creates a theological sequence. The "stillness" (cessation of striving, anxiety, human control) is prerequisite for truly "knowing" God in a deep, experiential sense. It suggests that profound revelation often occurs in quiet submission, not in frenetic activity or human efforts.
• "that I am God": This is the core truth to be apprehended. The object of "knowing" is God's unique identity, His absolute deity, power, and control over all things.
• "I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth": The repetition highlights the certainty and double emphasis of God's universal triumph and ultimate recognition. It moves from specific "nations" to the entire "earth," painting a picture of His undeniable future global supremacy, which is the foundation for the command to "be still and know."

Psalm 46 10 Bonus section

The concept of "be still" deeply resonates with the idea of "rest" (Sabbath rest, spiritual rest) found throughout the Scriptures, indicating a cessation of human works or striving to find salvation and peace in God alone. This verse can be understood as a direct command not only to individual believers but also to nations and indeed all creation, indicating that all human arrogance and rebellion against God's rule will ultimately cease, giving way to His undisputed authority. The dual aspect of knowing—intellectual understanding and experiential intimacy—is crucial. True stillness allows for true knowing, where God moves from a theological concept to a lived reality. This verse often precedes the "Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress" (Psa 46:11), which emphasizes the practical implications of such knowledge: unwavering divine protection and presence.

Psalm 46 10 Commentary

Psalm 46:10 is a divine imperative, challenging humanity to surrender to God's sovereign control amidst life's tumultuous circumstances. The call to "be still" (raphah) is not passive inaction but an active release of self-reliance and anxiety, letting go of the need to control. It's about ceasing one's own efforts and striving. This surrender paves the way for a deeper "knowing" (yada) of God – an intimate, experiential understanding of His character, power, and faithfulness. The reason for this stillness and knowing is God's declaration, "I am God." This emphatic self-identification asserts His supreme and unrivaled deity. His repeated promise, "I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth," underlines the inevitable, universal recognition of His sovereignty, even in a world hostile to Him. Ultimately, this verse serves as a cornerstone for faith, urging trust in God's ultimate triumph, a triumph that demands human quietude and profound acknowledgment.

Examples for practical usage:

• When facing overwhelming challenges (financial, health, relational): "Be still" by surrendering the problem to God, letting go of panic, and then "know" His character through prayer and recalling His past faithfulness.
• During times of global unrest or national crisis: "Be still" in personal anxieties, resisting the urge to control what cannot be controlled, and "know" that God remains sovereign over all nations and earth.
• In moments of personal striving or perfectionism: "Be still" from constant human effort to prove oneself, and "know" that identity and value come from who God is and who you are in Him, not what you achieve.