On Being Still

The 46th psalm inspired Luther’s “A Mighty Fortress.” The psalm’s early verses describe disasters that threaten: the earth giving way, mountains falling into the sea. These images may be taken literally, then metaphorically to picture when our “world” appears poised to implode. What to do then?

The first is to remember. Remember that God is with us, ever-present, and so can serve as our refuge and strength, our fortress (vv. 1, 7, 11). Refuge and fortress speak of external help; strength of internal. Armed thus inside and out we need not fear (v. 2). After all, if God is for us, who can be against us? Observe next that God can quell even catastrophic conflicts: He makes wars cease, breaks the bow and shatters the spear (v. 9).

Verse 10 urges a key component to our response: Be still. The Hebrew verb means to leave off, cease, or stop. Stop what? For believers: stop allowing troubles to trap us in turmoil. Stop trying to tame troubles entirely on our own. Stop fearing that we are going down for the count. For God’s enemies: cease your useless opposition—the Lord ultimately wins, he will be exalted on the earth.

Translators propose various renditions to convey this verb’s nuances: be still (NIV, ESV, NLT), cease striving (NAU, cp. NET), that’s enough! (CEB), desist (CJB), let go or even unclench the warrior’s fist (Alter).

Derek Kidner mused, “Until recently, man has had few thoughts to spare for the possibility of a world catastrophe. But this psalm can face it unafraid, because its opening phrase means exactly what it ways. Our true security is in God, not in God plus anything else.”

Let us who know the Lord be still as we recall his presence and strength, desisting from any attempt to bear burdens beyond our ability. Let God’s enemies cease their senseless efforts to overthrow him and his.