Be still, and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)

Some Bible verses are tucked away, rarely heard of and unlikely to be found on a piece of home decor. Others, however, are woven into the fabric of our lives, recognized even by those who may not actively walk with God. John 3:16 and Psalm 23 are everywhere—etched into memory and displayed across countless spaces. And, when it comes to stillness, Psalm 46:10 belongs in that same category, a verse we encounter often but whose depth is sometimes overlooked. 

Its popularity likely stems from the profound comfort it offers in times of hardship. When faced with uncertainty or overwhelming challenges, what can you say to someone who’s searching for answers? “Be still, and know that I am God” often feels like a solid response, a reminder to pause and trust God when nothing seems clear. Stillness has the potential to bring clarity, peace, and the reassurance that God is in control, even when life feels anything but certain.

But sometimes the simplest of things are the hardest to implement, and as I studied this verse in more depth, I found myself wrestling with these questions. 

• We can speak this verse but do we really know it?
• Better question… do we understand it? 
• Even better question… do we live it?

I’ll never forget the day my Christian therapist uncovered one of my core drivers: productivity. 

For me, a good day means a finished checklist—those rare, glorious days I savor. As I enthusiastically rattled on about how productivity fuels my home, my business and my life, she paused and gently asked, “What would it look like for you to embrace Psalm 46:10—’Be still and know’?” Then, with a knowing smile, she added, “Stephanie, what would need to be checked off your to-do list in order for you to be still?” Her question stopped me in my tracks.

What? Me? Be still? Clearly, she didn’t know me! (Still is probably the last word anyone would use to describe me.) But there I was, tasked with making a list of everything I’d need to check off in order to simply sit in silence. Rolling my eyes, I thought I had this figured out. After all, I’m a checklist kind of gal. But as I wrote, the list kept growing—longer and longer, seemingly endless. The more I added, the more defeated I felt. The idea of stillness, something that once seemed blissful, felt completely out of reach if I kept following my current productivity-driven path.

It’s taken a lot of spiritual discipline, trial and error, and major shifts in how I prioritize my days, but I’ve slowly come closer to welcoming stillness into my life. (I guess my therapist may not have known everything about me at the time but she knew exactly what I needed!) Along the way, I’ve begun to uncover the deeper meaning of Psalm 46:10, and through additional study, it offers us just what we need on our personal journey of learning to pause, release control and find peace in the quiet knowing God’s got this.

God’s got my back.
And, He’s got yours!

As with any story, jumping in the middle of the plot often causes you to miss much needed context. 

The same holds true for stories found in Scripture. Psalm 46:10 is powerful on its own, but when we take time to understand the full context and the 10 verses that surround it, we gain a deeper glimpse into God’s character in action. It’s not just a call to stillness; it’s a reminder of who God is in the midst of life’s battles—a refuge, a fortress and an ever-present help in trouble. And God’s people were in great need of that during the time this was written. 

A few highlights: 

• King David is the author of many of the Psalms, but not all including this one. This particular Psalm was written by the Sons of Korah which were likely temple assistants. 
• This particular Psalm was likely written around 701 BC, which is an important context because of what was happening in Jerusalem during this time. 
• The Assyrian army had marched on Jerusalem to attack and destroy the city. And from what I am learning, these peeps were legit. They would have won all the Ninja Warrior shows and then some. They were, as Shannon noted in our livestream, terrorists of their day. Definitely not friends you’d want to invite over for supper. 

In my study of Scripture, I’ve found that understanding the context behind a passage unlocks layers of meaning that go far beyond the words themselves. It’s in knowing the surrounding circumstances, the audience and the full narrative that we truly grasp the depth of what God is revealing to us. This is how Scripture comes to life, offering insights we might otherwise miss. 

Here’s the short of it: the people who first read these words were up against serious challenges—threats literally outside their walls. They were under attack and likely terrified. And who wouldn’t be? But here’s the key—while our struggles today may not mirror theirs exactly, God’s promise remains the same. He offers us the same gift of peace and strength in the midst of our current hardships.

As we dive into each verse of Psalm 46, think about the valley you might be walking through right now or the challenges looming ahead. God has something powerful to offer you in the midst of it all.

Part 1: Who Our God Is

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

Let’s start with a few definitions: 

• Refuge is a place we seek when we need shelter from imminent danger—a place of protection and security. Just like a child instinctively runs into their parent’s arms when they’re hurt, we run to God when we need safety. Refuge is often thought of as a physical place, so it’s fitting to think of it this way: God is our safe place. 
• Strength isn’t limited to the outcome of daily trips to the gym for weight lifting. In the Bible, strength is aligned with more than physical; it’s spiritual power that only God can offer. In fact, our human strength looks ridiculous compared to the mountain-moving, sea-parting God we serve. 
• Ever-present is one of those phrases we will never understand on this side of heaven. We work hard to be present and live in the moment, but God is ever-present, meaning He always is, always was and always will be present. He is literally everywhere (so if you ever feel like you’re being watched, you are but in a good kind of way).

So put this puzzle together and you get a clear picture of who our God is, especially in our times of trouble. He’s our safe place to land; He is the only one who can win any of our battles; and He is always with us. 

“Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” (Psalm 46:2-3)

Never forget, friends, that God created everything around us in less than a week. If He has the power to, in one word, create something from nothing, He absolutely has the power to move mountains including whatever hardship we have in front of us. 

I suspect that this verse was extra meaningful to the Israelites who were facing literal destruction around them. Being reminded of the power of God is humbling and also offers a change in perspective. Fear isn’t something God desires for our hearts when it comes to earthly fears. Instead, the fear God wants us to have is of Him and not in the way that we see fear. Instead, the Hebrew translation of fear is awe. Consider the reverence that comes as a result of having a deep awe-inspired respect for the One who created everything. And I mean everything! 

Flashback to high school English class and we are reminded that the word “therefore” is a conjunctive adverb, a type of word that modifies a verb. In plain speak, “therefore” offers a logical transition to a consequence of previous knowledge. For instance…

• I smell the delicious aroma of melting chocolate, therefore I know that my husband and daughter are in the kitchen making their infamous cherry chip cookies. 
• I have an insomnia attack, therefore the next day I’ll be a walking zombie due to lack of sleep. 
• And, Psalm 46:1 reminds us of God’s character so therefore how in the world could we fear whatever fear we currently face. Y’all, we just can’t! Our God created everything that Psalm 46:2-3 reminds us He has the power to decreate. 

Part 2: Where God Is

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. (Psalm 46:4)

BibleRef.com explains this poetic verse in ways my words can’t give justice. This Bible nerd found her research on this verse intriguing and couldn’t hold back. Here are some highlights to consider as quoted from BibleRef.com: 

“This verse mentions the presence of a stream that blesses Jerusalem, the city of God. Spiritually, Scripture often speaks of this as the dwelling place of the Most High God (Psalm 9:11; 132:13; Joel 3:17; Zechariah 8:3). Streams and rivers are common symbols of abundance: a source which perpetually flows. The imagery here resembles that of the river which Ezekiel 47 describes, gushing forth from the temple in the millennium when Christ rules the earth. Revelation 22:1–2 depicts a ‘river of the water of life’ flowing in the New Jerusalem.”

"Some believe this psalm was composed to celebrate God's deliverance of Israel from the Assyrians in the days of king Hezekiah. If so, the reference to water might have a double meaning. Hezekiah had built an underground aqueduct that connected the Spring of Gihon in Kidron with the Pool of Siloam in Jerusalem (2 Kings 20:20; 2 Chronicles 32:30). The sea might roar and foam, just as the Assyrians might rattle their swords and spears. Even so, the water supply in Jerusalem was calm and secure, just as God was reliably established in Jerusalem, His holy mountain.”

One day when we are a part of the New Jerusalem, we can experience the physical stream of abundance. Until then, let us be reminded that God is the source of abundance always and in all ways. 

God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. (Psalm 46:5-7)

The pronouns found in this passage reference the city of Jerusalem, but I want to encourage you to find yourself in this passage and replace “her” and “she” with your name. God, our safe place, also finds His place within us. And wherever God is, lives. Whatever battle God fights, He wins. Whatever God is for, who cares who is against them. Whatever challenge you’re facing, God is greater. Whatever worry is on your heart, God is greater. Whatever battle you’re arming up for, God is greater. God is the source of the stream of abundance and that Source is with us. 

This passage also has some very clear indicators of not just where God is, but the power of what happens where God is. Hear me out.

• God is within her… Because God is in the city of Jerusalem (and within each of us, also God’s chosen people) falling isn’t an option. This verse makes a pretty strong claim that wherever God is, stability is.
• God will help… Scripture doesn’t say that God will help because it is asked of Him. Instead, it says that at the break of day (or other translations reference when morning dawns) He’s there ready to help. New mercies are offered each morning, remember. 
• He lifts his voice… Genesis 1 shows us the power of God. One word and chaos turns into order. The Message translation is my favorite for this passage because it references God saying “Light” and then light appearing… “Sky” and the same pattern occurs. Our God just has to say one word for everything to change. 
• The Lord Almighty is with us… He walks alongside us and He lives within us. If you can’t find the One true safe place, it’s not because God’s hiding; it’s because you are.

I love how Pastor Earnest Smith states so clearly in his understanding of this passage: “God didn’t create you and then save you to then abandon you.” Let that truth sink in. 

Part 3: What God Offers

Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. (Psalm 46:8-9)

If you’re looking for a study prompt in Scripture, let me offer one up. Study the miraculous encounters of Jesus documented in the Bible. And while I don’t want to give away any of the goodness you’ll find when you let Scripture come alive in your life, I will highlight my favorite takeaway. Each miraculous healing required one small move of the person being healed. 

• The man at the pool of Bethesda (who had been seeking healing for 38 years!) was only required to pick up his mat and walk for his entire life to change. 
• The woman with the issue of blood merely touched the cloak of Jesus to be healed of something that had ostracized her. 

We don’t have to move mountains; God will. But God does invite us to “Come and see what the Lord has done.” And, while us productive people may try to fight our own battles, only God can change people and most battles aren’t fought on a war field; they are fought in the minds and hearts of people. We can’t win that fight but God can. 

He can win the battle some have with anxiety and depression. In those dark places, He can bring light. He can win the battle of broken relationships. In that heartache, He can mend. He can and has and will fight for us. All we have to do is follow his request. Which brings us to the most powerful part of this psalm…

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. (Psalm 46:8-9)

God’s request of us is seemingly simple but so, so hard to execute! “Be still, and know that I am God.” That’s all He asks of us, and yet I am reminded of a time when my life was spiraling and I texted Shannon for some friendship support. Her answer was about as “fun” as the advice my therapist told me… “Be still.” I was in a spunky mood that day and decided to follow-up her advice with a list of questions. 

• Well how do you supposed I do that, Shannon? 
• How long am I to be still? A few minutes, hours or days? Bills don’t pay themselves. 
• Where should I go to be still? Is one place more sacred than the next?
• What should I be doing in my stillness? Can you provide me with a list of those requirements? 

(See why I have a problem with this?) Stillness isn’t just hard for me… it’s hard for all of us because it’s totally against what our world teaches us. 

• Culturally, we live in a world that glorifies productivity and constant action. Stillness equals laziness, right? We are human doers instead of human beings. 
• We are overstimulated and not sure how to turn that off. Our world is fast and our minds are on overdrive. My anxiety causes my world to spin when I’m still. 
• But the truth is… stillness requires us to be quiet and when that happens, my inner Stephanie talks and she’s loud. I don’t want to be reflective. I don’t want to give her opportunity to speak. But, what I’ve learned is that God’s voice can be louder!

Stillness isn’t easy but God’s literal answer to a pounding knock on the door for a battle that could likely take out a community in one breath is stillness. Why? And, my follow-up question is this: God wants us to be still and do what? Thankfully, this passage answers that one. He wants us to know. 

Romans 8:28 is one of my favorite passages: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” While everyone else loves the meat of this passage, I love the first three words… And. We. Know. 

We know because we’ve seen. We know because God’s worked in our lives before. We know because our God is faithful and has been to his believers for more years than we could ever count. We know because God has a pattern that He’s proven time and time again that has our best interest at heart. 

When we are still, we can see that no amount of striving will help us defeat whatever challenge lies ahead. Only God can do that. Psalm 46:9 reminds us that our God is the God who… “makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shield with fire.” God fights our battles for us and it’s ONLY him who can change people’s hearts. 

Stillness offers us a reminder of just who God is… who the great I Am is. “I am God.” And if we believe that, we therefore know that we are not God. We may not say we are God, but friends our actions tell different stories. We think we are the fixers, the healers, the saviors, the answers. But there is only one God and one Fixer, Healer, Savior, Answer, WayMaker, etc. And it ain’t us. 

In fact, we don’t get to say anything about who we are, really. The Great I am says who I am. The thing that causes me to run from stillness may just be the reason I need to run to it. 

Stillness is the place not for us to repeat the “I ams” our world has told us we are: 

• I am lazy or not productive. 
• I am broken or not valuable. 
• I am a mistake or a mess up. 
• [Insert other unhealthy and untrue statements you have said about yourself.]

Instead, stillness is the place where we get to reflect on the Great I am and who He says we are. 

• We are fearfully and wonderfully made. 
• We are chosen and loved. 
• We are the single lamb he left the 99 for. 
• [Insert every other inherently true statement God has of you!] 

When we are still we are reminded that God asks us to do a small movement for Him to make big movement, and He’s calling us to come to Him. To see who He is. To rest in Him. To hand over our worries to Him. To trust that He’s got our back. To be still and know that He is the Great I am; He is God. 

Whatever worry weighs you down, be still. Whatever hurdle you’re struggling to overcome, be still. Whatever stirs your anxiety, be still. Whatever mountain feels too high to climb, be still. The answer to our hard questions may feel over simplified, but instead of running from it, become intentional to run to it. Stillness may just be the gift of peace, hope and protection you are seeking.