What Does it Mean to Be Still and Know God?
“Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10, NIV) is undoubtedly one of the most well-known (and well-marketed) verses in the Bible. Everywhere we look, these words seem to appear on coffee mugs, bumper stickers, canvases, and sweatshirts. Because of this, I worry that we’ve become so accustomed to this verse that its meaning doesn’t even faze us anymore. Or perhaps we’ve seen this verse so many times out of its larger context that we’ve lost its meaning altogether.
Surprisingly, this verse isn’t just a call for us to be still or to be quiet. Rather, it’s a call for us to stop worrying and to trust that the Lord is with us in our midst—even if the mountains are crumbling and the sea is roaring around us. It’s a call to surrender the white-knuckle grip we have on life. And as we’ll see, knowing the God who’s with us enables us to surrender all our worries to Him.
Understand the Context of Psalm 46:10
Psalm 46 is a beautiful psalm that serves to remind us of the absolute confidence we can have in God. In the very first verse, the psalmist begins by declaring, “God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble.” This is who God is. And it’s these words about God that form the backbone of this psalm. The example of the earth trembling, the mountains toppling, and the seas billowing describes chaos ensuing as our worst-case scenario plays out before our very eyes (verses 2–3). Yet, we don’t need to be afraid, even when our whole world seems to be falling around us. We know who God is—we have the words from verse 1 to hold on to. Since God is “an ever-present help” (NIV) and “always found,” we can run to Him at all times. He’s not distant from us but rather is near to us (verse 7). And His presence is our very shelter and safety in times of trouble.
But the psalmist doesn’t stop there. He also shows us how our ever-present God is our refuge and strength because He is sovereign—in control over everything. By just the sound of His voice, nations are rebuked and kingdoms are toppled (verse 6). He can remove any and all threats completely, even causing wars to cease “throughout the earth” (vv. 8–9). This is who our God is. He is exalted, ruling and reigning over all things (v. 10; Psalm 103:19). Therefore, we’re commanded to “be still” (verse 10, NIV) and let God be rightfully exalted in our own lives. This is made more clear through other translations who render this verse as “Stop fighting” (CSB) or “Stop striving” (NASB). We’re called to stop facing our trials in our own strength and instead leave it in the hands of the One who is with us (verse 11) and is our “refuge and strength” (verse 1). If God is in control over everything, then we can surrender to Him all our worries and fears in any situation. Being still is about our anxious hearts finding refuge in our mighty God, our “helper who is always found in times of trouble.” God is exalted when we live out our lives in light of the truth that He’s always with us.
How to Properly Apply Psalm 46:10 to Your Life
The command to “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10, NIV) isn’t about having a relaxing morning with a cup of coffee in hand or canceling your plans to go to a quiet park all alone. It’s about going to God in the mundane moments of your day and resting your anxious heart in the palm of His hand. It’s about trusting that God is with you, even in the midst of the chaos of your busy life. It’s about finding refuge in Him as you walk through your worst-case scenario. The call to “be still” is a call to surrender. Let the worries of this life fall from your grasp and let God take up residence in your heart. Stop your striving and watch how God works on your behalf to keep the mountains and seas from overwhelming you.
At all times, God is in control over all things. Therefore, there’s no greater place to run to than in the safety of His strong arms. In Him, you can be still even if it feels like the world is falling apart before your very eyes. So no matter what you face, don’t ever forget God’s character. Trust that He is with you.
Sources:
Schmucker, Kristin. Wait: A Walk Through Psalms 31–60. Spring, Texas: The Daily Grace Co., 2024.
