Be Still


Psalm 46
To the choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A Song.
Alamoth is a musical instruction that seems to refer to the way in which the accompanying musical instruments were to be tuned.
1God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
3though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
4There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.
5God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.
6The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; He utters His voice, the earth melts.
7The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
8Come, behold the works of the Lord, how He has brought desolations on the earth.
9He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the chariots with fire.
10“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
11The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

As you thumb through the Psalms, they all beg to be read and absorbed – but some of them sparkle off of the page and into your heart; Psalm 46 is just such a psalm. This psalm contains the oft quoted verse, “Be still and know that I am God.” Those words alone can transform your day, your attitude, your entire life.

Because of the ravages of sin in the world there is not a single person who doesn’t at some point face difficulties and sorrows in life. We are all need in desperate need of a place of refuge and strength. If you believe that you can go it alone, you are deluded and to be pitied. Martin Luther brought this psalm into the light in a big way as he struggled through his battles with the established church that at the time was corrupt and ungodly. His very life was threatened as people with political power sought to end his life because he asked a few questions. It was during that time that he wrote the hymn A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” based on the words of this psalm. This is a powerful hymn that captures the ideas put for in Psalm 46 with beauty and accuracy. I’ve included a link to a rather modern version of this hymn for your devotional consideration today. Take the time to listen to it and absorb the words that Luther uses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vT6HQ1QaU4

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
A mighty fortress is our God, A bulwark never failing;
Our shelter He, amid the flood Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and pow’r are great, And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide, Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, The Man of God’s own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth is His name, From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
And tho’ this world, with devils filled, Should threaten to undo us;
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim — We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, For lo! his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly pow’rs — No thanks to them — abideth:
The Spirit and the gifts are ours Thro’ Him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go, This mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.
 
Finally we need to focus briefly on the keystone words of this psalm, “Be still and know that I am God.” They are a tremendous admonition to us as believers and to the world that would try to deny God’s power and majesty over all things. Those words serve as a warning to the world and as an assurance of peace to those of us who hold Him as the Most High God. Put those words in your mind and rehearse them all day long.

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