Psalm 46 2

Psalm 46:2 kjv

Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

Psalm 46:2 nkjv

Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

Psalm 46:2 niv

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

Psalm 46:2 esv

Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

Psalm 46:2 nlt

So we will not fear when earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.

Psalm 46 verses

Psalm 46 2 Meaning

Psalm 46:2 expresses an unyielding confidence in God's protective presence amidst catastrophic global upheaval. It declares that God's people will not succumb to fear, even when the very foundations of the earth appear to collapse and the most stable, enduring structures, like mountains, are violently cast into the deepest parts of the sea. This signifies a profound, unshakeable trust in the Lord as the ultimate refuge, transcending any worldly crisis or destruction.

Psalm 46 2 Context

Psalm 46 belongs to a collection known as the "Songs of Zion" (along with Psalms 48, 76, 84, 87, 122). It is a communal hymn of trust and celebration of God's dwelling in Jerusalem and His defense of His people. The preceding verse, Psalm 46:1, sets the foundational premise: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Verse 2 builds directly upon this, demonstrating the consequence of such an assurance. The chapter progresses by detailing other cataclysmic scenarios (like the roaring of the nations) only to reaffirm God's protective presence (vv. 4-7) and His ultimate triumph (vv. 8-11). Historically, many scholars connect this psalm to a time of national crisis, particularly the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem in 701 BC during King Hezekiah's reign (as described in 2 Kings 18-19 and Isa 36-37), where Jerusalem miraculously escaped destruction. The psalm transcends this specific event, however, by depicting an ultimate, cosmic upheaval, which might also subtly challenge ancient Near Eastern mythologies where chaos gods or nature gods controlled such events. In the psalm, it is the One true God who commands and remains sovereign over all chaos.

Psalm 46 2 Word analysis

• Therefore: Connects this verse to Ps 46:1, emphasizing that the confidence to "not fear" is a direct logical outcome of God being "our refuge and strength."
• we will not fear: A declaration of resolute faith. The Hebrew, לֹא־נִירָ֣א (lo'-nira'), expresses an active refusal to be afraid, demonstrating spiritual strength and a trust rooted in God's character rather than circumstances. This phrase serves as a command, an assurance, and a testimony of the faithful.
• though: The Hebrew word בְּ (be) functioning here as "when" or "though," introduces a hypothetical or impending situation, setting up the severe conditions that follow. It signifies that even in the midst of the most unimaginable catastrophes, God's people remain unshaken.
• the earth gives way: The Hebrew phrase בְּהָמִּ֣יר אָ֑רֶץ (bəhāmmîr ’āreṣ). הָמִּ֣יר (hammir) means "to totter," "to shake," "to be displaced" or "to change/shift." This describes not just a small tremor but a fundamental structural collapse or radical alteration of the land, implying the breakdown of creation's stability and order. It represents ultimate instability, chaos, and cosmic unraveling, a metaphor for all that is believed to be permanent.
• and the mountains fall: The Hebrew בַּמּוֹט֮ הָרִים֒ (bammôṭ hārîm). בַּמּוֹט (bammôt) also relates to "shaking," "being moved" or "tottering." הָרִים (harim) refers to "mountains," which in ancient Near Eastern thought and biblical symbolism, were seen as the epitome of permanence, strength, and immobility. For mountains to "fall" (literally, to totter or topple over) represents an unparalleled, fundamental de-stabilization and disintegration of the created order, threatening to overwhelm everything stable.
• into the heart of the sea: The Hebrew בְּלֵ֥ב יַמִּֽים (bə-lēv yammîm). "Heart" (לֵ֥ב, lev) here implies the deepest, innermost part. "Sea" (יַמִּֽים, yammîm, plural) often symbolized chaos, dangerous untamed forces, primeval disorder, or even destructive nations in ancient thought and scripture (e.g., in Revelation). The imagery of mountains dissolving into the sea signifies complete obliteration, where order collapses into primal chaos, and the most permanent land features vanish into the chaotic waters, illustrating utter destruction and cosmic pandemonium.

Psalm 46 2 Bonus section

The phrase "heart of the sea" could also allude to ancient flood narratives, indicating a return to a pre-creation, chaotic watery state, yet under God's ultimate control. This highlights God's power as creator and sustainer who can both bring order from chaos and subject creation to chaos as judgment or as part of His eschatological plan. The psalmist's bold declaration is also a prophetic anticipation of the New Covenant's promise of an "unshakable kingdom" (Heb 12:28), where despite the future shaking of "earth and heaven," those who are in Christ inherit a realm beyond disturbance. This verse forms part of a powerful liturgical song, meant to be sung by a community of faith, reinforcing communal trust and reminding them of their secure position in God regardless of outward turmoil.

Psalm 46 2 Commentary

Psalm 46:2 is a profound declaration of unwavering spiritual composure, a bold challenge to fear in the face of absolute disarray. Building upon the secure foundation of Ps 46:1 – that God is the ever-present, all-sufficient refuge – this verse pushes the imagination to its limit, envisioning the very fabric of existence dissolving. The imagery of the "earth giving way" and "mountains falling into the heart of the sea" paints a picture of comprehensive global catastrophe, where the most stable elements of creation revert to primordial chaos. Yet, the psalmist declares, "we will not fear." This confidence stems not from denial of danger but from a deep, spiritual discernment of God's absolute sovereignty over chaos and destruction. It underscores that while all created things are subject to change and eventual dissolution, God alone remains an unchanging, unshakeable haven for His people. This verse implicitly asserts God's ultimate power over the forces of nature, serving as a polemic against ancient polytheistic beliefs where gods might embody or struggle with chaotic elements; here, God reigns supreme. Practically, it encourages believers to fix their trust on God's unchanging character and presence, rather than on fleeting circumstances or any worldly stability, knowing that in the ultimate shaking of all things, those founded in Him will endure.